From Grief We grew (Only On Wattpad)

Chapter 30 Teagan

I walk into his apartment and look around. I notice the old vintage furniture and dark blue curtains that hang on the wall. He leads me to a door that's closed. Beside it is another door that has a big poster from star wars.
 
    "That's my mate Paul's room," he says. I turn and look at him and nod.
 
   "Why are the doors locked?" I ask in confusion.
 
   "Because of her," he points at something making me turn around.
 
   I gasp seeing a little Chihuahua by my legs. How on earth didn't I notice this? I squat down and move to pick her up when she snaps at me. She starts barking really loud for her small size. I startle and get up to take a step back. I hear Lucah chuckle and I give him a dead stare.
 
   "What? It's funny," he says lifting his hand in surrender.
 
   He bends and picks up the dog. She snuggles into his arms and looks at me.
 
   "Lassie this is Teagan. She is my friend please be nice to her," he says and the dog barks.
 
   I just stare at it in fear. I'm a dog person and friendly with them but this one is a killer. It keeps looking at me as if it wants to kill me.
 
   "Lassie loves getting into our rooms and biting our things. So we keep the door closed." I nod. He opens the door and I walk inside. "Be prepared to witness my man cave," he says in a really deep voice as the lights go on. I chuckle as I look around when the lights come on. There are two big drawers in the left corner. On top of it, there are a lot of art supplies.  Then there is a shelf adjacent to it with some junk. In the right corner, there is a study table and in the middle, there is a mattress on the floor. The walls of the room are painted black and there is a painting hanging that I recognize is done by Alfonso. I walk around to take a closer look and trace my fingers on the neon stars on the wall.
 
   "Lie on the matter."
 
   "What?" I ask in confusion.
 
   "Lie down on the mattress." I nod and get on the mattress.
 
   As I lay back, I notice the painting on the wall. There are stars, planets and UFOs painted in neon colours. He turns off the light and the paint glows in the dark along with the stickers. My eyes light up in amusement.
 
   "Turn to your side"
 
   I do so and I realize there are stars on the floor too.
 
   "I love space if you didn't know. It feels like I'm one with the universe when I lie down." I only hear his voice.
 
   I hum in response.
 
  "Uhm so can I make you some lunch?" He asks.
 
   "No. We will eat outside."
 
   "Okay, I'll get us something to drink," he says and I hear footsteps.
 
   I look at the wall and I think of Zayden. Are you seeing this? Isn't this beautiful? He is really talented just like you. Something licks my feet interrupting my thoughts. I freeze. I slowly turn to the side and see her brown eyes. I look back at the ceiling and stay still not knowing what else to do. I feel her sniffing my hands and then she starts moving in between my right hand and hip. I feel her sniffing my hand and the hair on my neck stands up. Then something unexpected happens. She climbs on top of me and lies down on my chest. My heart is beating so fast, I’m scared she'll sense my fear. I'm breathing really slowly. I slowly lift my hand daring myself to touch her and rub her back. She sniffs my hand and I try not to flinch. Then she nuzzled into my hand and I smile. The lights go on and I hear Lucah go, "Oh my look at this."
 
   I just lay there as I look at Lucah pleading with my eyes to do something. He shows me both the glasses in his hand. He pouts for a second and then starts laughing as I give him a death glare. "She won't do anything. Just lift her up."
 
   I look at the dog on me and place my other hand on her. I slowly lift her up as I sit up and put her back in my lap. She quietly snuggles into me. I sigh and look at Lucah. He sits beside me and hands me a glass of some yellow milkshake thingy as he speaks, "You know Lassie is an artist?" I raise my eyebrow as I take the glass.
 
   "One day when I accidentally spilled paint on the floor she came darting in and put her paws in it and ran around the house. I swear she was asleep, but it's like she sensed the smell. She loves the smell of art supplies. Especially paint. She likes to sniff my hands and clothes when I have paint and charcoal on them."
 
   I look at my dirty hands that are full of ink. I pat the dog as I sip on the milkshake and hum.
 
   "Hmm, what flavour?" I savour the taste.
 
   "Pineapple."
 
   "Wow, this is yummy."
 
   He gulps his and stands up. "I'll go shower and come."
 
   I just nod and continue petting Chihuahua.
 
   He stops the car and I get down. I grab the basket from the seat behind me and close the door. Lucah walks up to me and I point in the direction of the forest.
 
   "Where are you taking me?"
 
   "Just follow me," I say and start walking.
 
   He catches up to me and together we both stroll through the forest in silence. I look at the orange sky as the sun slowly sets. I feel Lucas's hand brush against mine and my cheeks heat up. I look at him and find him already staring at me. I look away. Our hands brush again and I slowly trace my fingers over his. He takes this as a plea and holds my hand. We both look at each other for a split second and then look away as we blush. We walk in silence until we reach the river. I let go of his hand and drop the basket. I look at him with a grin and start undressing. Seeing me he starts doing the same.
 
   Once I'm in my bikini which luckily I wore, I start running towards a beak-shaped rock as I scream, "Last one to jump off the rock has to buy the other one chocolates." I hear his famous chuckle-huff. I climb the rock and just as I'm about to lung forward, two arms wrap themselves around me. Together we both jump and fall into the water. I quickly push him away and swim up trying to catch my breath. He springs out of the water and clings onto me. WI yelp in surprise making him chuckle. I lay my head on his chest and smile. His fingers run through my hair slowly brushing it.
 
   I lift my head and look at him with a big grin on my face. "What?" He smiles.
 
   "You are beautiful," I tell him and he chuckle-huffs.
 
    "Enough of flirting with me gorgeous. Let's have a swimming race. One lap. From here till that rock over there."
 
   "Game on."
 
   I dive in and start swimming without waiting. I try to not think of anything and let myself be free. My body feels light and a warm feeling creeps into my chest. Just as I'm about to finish one lap I hear something, "woohooo T." I freeze and lift my head out of the water. I look around searching for the boy that owns that voice but he's nowhere. I sigh and close my eyes. Probably my imagination. I just stand there trying to focus on my breathing and push away the storm.
 
  It takes me a moment to realize it’s silent.  My eyes shoot open and I see no one. I look around and my heart skips a beat realizing I'm alone.  "Lucah?? Lucah this isn't funny!" I scream.  
 
   "Lucah!!"
 
   I swim around and go underwater trying to find him. My eyes start to water as I come up to catch my breath. "Lucah!!" I scream again. My body trembles. Images of Zayden collide with Lucah and I see blood. I shake my head as I mutter, "No. No. No. No." I hold my head as I stand there looking around helplessly when suddenly something wraps itself around my legs and I'm lifted out of the water. I yelp in surprise. I struggle out of his grip. He just laughs, not letting me go. I push him by his chest and yell, “Leave me!” He let go and I start swimming to the shore.
 
   “Teagan? Teagan wait!”
 
   I sit in the mud and pull my knees close to my chest. I hug myself as I hide my face and cry. My thoughts are filled with Zayden and my heart continues pounding in my chest.  
 
  “Teagan?” I feel him touch me and I flinch. “Oh, T I’m so sorry. I was just pranking- I didn’t think- I’m sorry.” He wraps his arms around me and I wiggle while hitting his chest. "Let me go," I whine but he doesn't budge.
 
   I bury my head in his chest and start crying. "I thought I lost you too. I can't lose you too. I lost enough. I was so scared. I was so scared I'll lose you," I ramble. “I can’t lose another person I love.”
 
   "T, I'm sorry. Please stop crying. I'm extremely sorry." 
 
   But I only cry more.
 
   "Ugh, I'm so sorry! T look at me.” He pulls away and cups my cheeks with his big hands. "I'm here look. I'm okay. I'm sorry. Please don't cry."
 
   I nod and pull his hands away.
 
   "Teagan." I just ignore him and stand up. I open the basket and take a blanket from it. I spread the blank out and place the basket on it. I start laying out the things I brought: Juice, plates, cups, pizza, and some blueberries. I don’t bother to tell him to eat. I just grab a slice and start eating. He just stares at me with a pout on his face. Fuck I wanna kiss him. I push the thoughts down and look away. I hold the box out. “Eat.”
 
   We eat in silence. He helps me pack up once we are done. I place the basket beside the blanket and lie down. Lucah quickly scoots closer and lies next to me. I try not to smile. His hand slowly creeps up on mine and holds my hand. I smile and in the corner of my eye, I see him smiling too. I like this. I like being next to Lucah hand in hand. I like lying next to him even more.
 
   "I'm sorry. " I hum and turn to my side. I give his cheek a peck before lying on my back again.
 
   We just lay there staring at the stars and holding hands as we smile to ourselves. None of us say anything.  Even when we drive home we don't. Even when I drop him off he only nods, waves and smiles. I do too. Long after I go home and freshen up, I still find myself smiling. I take my book and draw. I draw us. I capture the moment that I am captured in. Just then my phone beeps and I grab it.
 
Lucah:
I really really like you ♥
Me:
Maybe I really really like you too :p
 
   My heart skips a beat as I hit send. I quickly put my phone away and continue drawing. “I really really like you,” I repeat his words and chuckle.