LAVENDER HAZE - J. Hughes

Thirteen

I just want to stay in that Lavender Haze

I didn't sleep much last night. I couldn't. My mind was racing and my body was just too excited to even fathom sleep. It's like when your a child and you have a class trip the next day, you can't sleep because all you want is for it to be tomorrow. All you do is count down the hours, the minutes, and seconds until the sun comes up and the day is here.

Obviously it was a day full of water activities so I made sure to put on a cute bikini and put a big tee shirt on over top. I was so giddy, the entire time I got ready I couldn't fight the smile that was on my lips.

When I was finally ready I texted Jack I was heading to the dock which he told me he was already there. He was already there waiting to take me on the jet ski. Just me. Just us.

"Good morning Lily" he greeted me with a smile as I got to the end of the dock. He handed me a life vest and pulled me into a hug to start off my morning right.

"Morning Jack" we pulled back and put the vests on.

"So I have some waters and snack stored in the jet ski and like a blanket to chill on when we get to the island." He hopped on the jet ski and patted behind him while my brain tried to process what he just told me. A blanket to chill on, snacks, just me and him...was this a date? Or am I just back to me being delusional as ever?

I got on the back of the jet ski and wrapped my arms around his, interlocking them at his stomach to protect myself from falling off. He asked me if I was ok and ready and I told him I was then we were off.

The feeling on the jet ski was scary at first but eventually the nerves faded and it turned into adrenaline. The wind whipping through my hair and the water droplets splashing up on me felt amazing paired with the closeness of my body to Jack's. This was better than I could imagine.

The trip to the island was about fifteen minutes from our dock and that fifteen minutes was spent holding onto Jack, giggling and smiling at the excitement of the jet ski and the day that was ahead of me. This island isn't really an island, this is a lake. A Great Lake but still. It was a big piece of land that had trees surrounding the center of the land that was actually open to the lake, so like a land donut and the center was the lake. It was secluded, no one really knows about it nor cares to even come here. Its just a piece of beautiful nature.

He parked the jet ski on the bank of the island and helped me off, grabbing out all the stuff he packed. "Come on, let's go to the water" he grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him through the small line of trees until we got to the center where the small secluded 'lake' was. It was beautiful.

Jack let go of my hand and began to lay out the blanket neatly, taking out the stuff he brought and setting it up. I was taking pictures of the lake and took a few of Jack as well, secretly of course. Can you blame me? I've waited how long for something like this- I deserve to take some pictures.

"The water looks so pretty" I exclaimed excitedly. "Like it's actually a little blue"

"I know" Jack laughed. "It's cool right?" He was now standing beside me also looking out and admiring the view. Nature was so pretty.

"So cool, thank you Jack" I couldn't help it as I jumped up and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tight. This was healing. The past few weeks without him felt like a hole had been carved from my chest and now it was being mended. I didn't realize the extent of my feelings until I had lost him. I didn't realize the impact not being able to be near him, or speak to him, or even look at him had on me until recently. I never wanted to feel that way again.

He always was a good hugger too. He made you feel warm and protected as he wrapped his arms around you, hugging you tightly to him and usually rubbing your back or your head in a comforting way. I think he knew I needed this. I think he too needed this and I felt it in his touch. "Come on Lil let's go swim." He pulled back from me to take off his vest and jump in. He literally jumped right in.