LAVENDER HAZE - J. Hughes

Two

Staring at ceiling with you...

That night, I found myself sitting on the balcony with my knees in my chest in one of Jackson's old team U.S.A. hoodies, staring out into the lake. It was so big I could be an ocean, but the main difference was the stillness. The lake was sound, it almost looked like glass. The only sound out here this late- it was now past midnight- usually was the sound of the wind shuffling the leaves on the trees. Every once in a while you can hear the faint sound of laughter from the surrounding houses and you can see the flicker of flames from campfires.

"Since when did you come out here?" My heart skipped at the familiar voice. I looked over to see him leaning against his balcony, looking over at me.

"I don't usually. I feel like usually I'm so tired after the long days here but I don't know, I have this balcony might as well use it" I sighed. He chuckled and nodded his head.

"Yeah you do never use that balcony." He agreed. "So Lily," he clicked his tongue making me nervous. "How have you been? I haven't heard from you for months. I'm very disappointed." His voice was almost mocking. He was trying to watch me squirm. He was succeeding as my hands began to fidget and I shrugged shyly.

"I didn't think you would really have time for me" I told him. I could practically feel the ego leaking out of him from across the lawn.

"Aw, I always have time for you" this is how it's been for a couple years. He knows. He easily knows I have the biggest crush on him and he uses it to make fun of me, tease me, get a rise, and probably boost his own ego. But I was so blind I didn't care. Just hearing him say those words made me want to do whatever he wanted.

"I'll keep that in mind next time" I managed to choke out. Here comes the pain in my chest. There was a small silence before he spoke again.

"Hey Lily?" He called over. He was now facing the water and not me.

"Yes Jack?"

"Do you still have that stuffed penguin? The one with the pink bow tie that I bought for you" his voice came out different now. It was thick with an unknown emotion, not sarcastic or condescending but real. It was a genuine question that I had a feeling he wasn't gonna use against me.

"Of course I do. It's on the chair in my room" he had bought me that when I was 11. The guys went to the arcade without me, I was so sad. Even Luke got to go but I wasn't invited. I cried the whole day and refused to eat. And when they came home Jackson and Luke rubbed it in my face, Quinn felt bad but he didn't do anything to shut up the two idiots. Jack was quite but later that night he came over to me and handed me the penguin, saying nothing. Just giving it to me with a smile on his little, 14 year old face. I felt much better going to bed that night.

"Good." I watched as he went back inside without another word. I, too should probably head in. Tomorrow was gonna be a long day in the sun. Time to replenish my energy and sleep away the pain that still lingered.

-

"Can we please go in the lake now? We have literally laid out here and tanned for the last three hours" Luke groaned from beside me. I sat up and put my sunglasses on the towel.

"Fine" he cheered like a child and grabbed my hand dragging me down the beach and into the water. It did feel nice against my now damaged skin. It was a good damage, it was a good base tan.

We swam around, laughing and having fun for who knows how long. Long enough because soon enough Jack, Quinn, Jackson, Ethan, Mark, and Seamus were walking towards the lake with all their stuff for a beach day. "Lukey Boy!" Ethan called from the beach.

"Hi Lily" Mark yelled, waving. I waved back as Luke swam in to go say hi to his friends and old teammates. My legs kept me afloat as I watched the guys all catch up and set up their stuff beside mine and Luke's. Naturally my eyes lingered the longest on Jack.