Love and Flames

SEVEN

CALEB

We sat on the pier, her head resting on my shoulder and mine on top of hers. I could hear her breathing shallowing. I looked down at the petite girl next to me, who was now asleep. Her blonde hair fell over her face, and her lips parted as she slept. God, she was beautiful.

I adjusted myself. "Ava?" I said gently, "Let's get you into the car."

She nodded sleepily but made no effort to move.

I sighed and lifted her carefully into my arms, standing up and walking back to the car with her nuzzled into me. I looked down at her. I saw a different side of her today from her usual bubbly self; it upset me to see her so hurt, and I had no idea. I placed the sleeping girl on the back seat of my Land Rover and got into the driver's seat.

~~~~

Once I pulled up at her house, I unplugged my seatbelt and swivelled in my seat to look at her. "Ava? You're home," I watched as she opened her eyes slightly and nodded. She sat up and straightened.

I got out of the car and opened the door where she was sitting. "C'mon, I'll take you inside." I held out my hand to her, which she took, and walked her to her front door.

"Stay," she said, looking up at me. "It's late, and you might as well just stay in a guest room." She unlocked her door and walked in.

I watched her walk in. "Are you sure?" I didn't want to push her.

"Yup," she said, popping the p.

I nodded and walked into her all-too-familiar living room. The decor in her room matched her perfectly. The walls were painted in soft pastel colours, such as lavender and mint green. This created a calm and welcoming environment. The furniture was made of light wood, adding a touch of warmth.

"I'll show you to the spare." Ava looked towards me and began walking towards me and then up her stairs. I followed behind her; we reached the room, and she gestured in.

"Here, the beds are made, the toilet is the door straight ahead of you; if you need anything, help yourself," she smiled gently at me and then proceeded to her own room.

"Good night." I shot in her direction, looking back towards where she had walked.

"Good night, Caleb," she replies with a soft smile.

~~~~

I woke up drenched in sweat; my hair stuck to my forehead, and my breathing was fast. Riley's lifeless body haunts my dreams often. I put my head in my hands and huffed out. The panic of the dream lingered as I propped myself up against the headboard.

"Caleb?" I heard Ava's soft voice from the doorway. The door was opened slightly, and she poked her head in slightly. "You were shouting." She looked at me, her eyes filled with concern, and I nodded.

"Sorry, it happens sometimes," I mumbled sheepishly, my voice threatening to crack. She walked into the room slowly and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she queried, looking at me. Her eyebrows were furrowed, and the worry in her voice was evident.

I shrugged, fighting back tears. I dropped my head into my hands again, as if trying to push them back in.

I felt Ava's hand on my back; her touch grounded me, and I let out a shaky breath. "A couple of years ago, we went to a pretty big fire; we got there, and three houses were already up," I said shakily, and I felt Ava's hand rubbing circles in my back.

"You don't have to talk about it," she uttered gently.

"Me, Jack, and Riley went in first, as rescue, to see if anyone was still inside; we could hear voices in one of the back rooms. Riley went first. Just as he went in, our commander told us to retreat. It was too late. I couldn't save him. I can't shake the feeling that it should have been me. I should have gone in first." I let it all out, lifting my head up slightly.

Ava didn't say anything, but she pulled me into a hug. I appreciated it. I didn't want her to give me the same talk multiple people on my team had already had. We sat like this for a while, her arms wrapped gently around me as I slowly felt the panic melt away.

"Do you want to get some more sleep?" she asked gently.

"I don't think I can," I said sadly. She sat next to me on the bed, and I put my head on her shoulder.

"That's okay; we can stay here as long as you like." Her hand lifted gently to my hair, and she ran her fingers through it.

I nodded. We stayed like this, and I closed my eyes and felt myself slowly slipping back to sleep, comforted by her presence.

~~~~

I woke up as light filtered through the gaps in the curtains. I felt Ava still next to me on the bed, my head resting on her shoulder. I lifted myself up gently and looked at the sleeping girl next to me. I smiled, and I felt at peace. I had actually been able to sleep for a while without being woken up again with the same nightmare.

I felt Ava stir beside me before she looked at me groggily and smiled lopsidedly, "Morning."

"Morning," I smiled back. "Thank you for staying after last night," I said, slight embarrassment washing over me.

She smiled and patted my leg. "Anytime. I'm always here if you need to chat." I nodded at her words. A sense of relief and comfort washed over me.

I sat on the edge of the bed and stretched my body out slightly. It ached from the awkward position we had slept in.

"Caleb, let's give dinner another go." Ava's voice came from beside me. I turned to see the girl behind me, her hair tousled. Her expression was tired yet hopeful.

I nodded. "I'd like that."

Authors note:

Hope you enjoyed chapter 7!! This chapter was cute! As always please feel free to leave feedback, it is much appreciated, and thank you all for 160 Reads!!

- Serenjtyx