Destined for Love

Fourty two

Quickly sliding to answer and pressing the phone to my ear.

My heart is beating out of my chest as she finally speaks.

"Katherine honey are you there?" She chirps.

"Yes sorry, yes hello?" I respond not knowing where this is going.

"Have you seen Corbin? Has he been staying with you? I'm worried." The last part comes out as more of a whisper.

"I haven't heard from or seen him in a week, is everything all right Ms Paine?" My voice now riddled with worry.

Has he just disappeared on his own mother?

"He does this from time to time. But never this long without a call. I'm just a worried mother is all. Thank you Kat" she responds sounding even more worried than the start.

Where could he possibly be?

"If he comes by or contacts me I'll let you know" I try to reassure her as best I can.

"Thank you again, Katherine, for everything" she replies, reminding me of our conversation not so long ago.

"My pleasure, goodnight Ms Paine." I blandly respond.

"Goodnight Kat."

And the line goes dead.

I quickly throw on his hoodie and my runners before heading towards the door.

The only spot I haven't looked for him at. Of course. Our spot.

The place he took me that night. The place where we talked for hours.

Getting into the rental car, I quickly turned the key and put the car into gear.

Is it 11 pm?
Yes.

Am I crazy for trying to find him in the middle of nowhere at this hour?
Most likely yes.

Do I care?
No, I want nothing more than to know he's alright at this point.

I turn the radio on to drown my thoughts out.

Coming upon those oh-so-familiar trees that line each side of the road, my heartbeat quickens.

"Are you taking me out here to kill me?"

"Of course not, we are going to my favorite place" he laughs like it shouldn't have been a question.

I recall our exchanged words ignoring the rocks that fly behind the car as I turn onto the dirt path.

No other car in sight. However, I continue down the wooded path anyway, phone light in hand.

"Down the hill and past the rock" I quietly remind myself.

Am I really out here in the dark by myself? How stupid could I be?

You're in love idiot.
My head answers for me.

My eyes land on the rock and I know I'm close.

"Corbin?" I quietly yell, aware there could be bears.. or worse a serial killer waiting for me.

The trees open around me. My eyes follow up to the moon which shadows a figure sitting at the end of the cliff.

Turning off my flashlight I quietly approach. Phone still in hand in case it's not my sweet boy before me.

Slowly I sit next to him. Without hearing a word or seeing his face, I'm aware of his presence.

And his cologne. My favorite scent.

"You found me" he says lowly. Almost inaudibly without moving his head to look at me.

"I did" I quietly respond wanting nothing more than an explanation.

We sit in silence for what feels like forever. But I'd rather sit in silence with him knowing he's okay. Knowing he's right next to me.

"Ar- are you okay?" I whisper, unable to see his face. I don't even know if he's happy to see me.

He doesn't answer instead he lays his head on my lap. His arms wrapping around my waist gently.

"I didn't think you'd come" he says more to himself.

"Of course, I came. I've been worried like hell you idiot" I respond finally comfortable enough to reach my hand into his now-freed hair.

"I need you" he says freeing my waist and finally meeting my eyes.

His eyes are red and the bags under his eyes tell me he hasn't slept in days.

"I'm right here" I let out. Confused as to what he means.

His knuckles slowly run across my cheek as he finally places his lips on mine.

I respond quickly before he inevitably pulls away.

"Where have you been?" I finally question.

He's silent for a second as his hand falls from my body and his eyes look back at the moon.

"He's dead" he bluntly tells me.

"Who's dead Corbin?" My words come out before I can think.

"My Dad, he's dead Kat" he whispers. His head falls into his hands once again.

I don't know much about his father if anything at all.

He's told me of him but that's where the line ends.

"I'm sorry Corbin" I respond.
Placing my hand on his back for comfort.

"Don't be."

We walk down a hill and past a big rock before finally ending at a cliff with a view of a beautiful waterfall and lake. "Wow" is all I can say.

"Come sit with me" his words almost come out as a question. I sit next to him with my legs dangling off the small drop.

"Why did you bring me here?" He looks up to meet my eyes. "This is where I come to think" he looks back to the sky placing his hand close to mine on the ground.

We've sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. "Do you bring all your girls here?" I question and he looks me in the eyes almost disappointed in my question.

"No, you're the first girl I've ever brought here". And with that the butterflies in my stomach erupt. "Oh" my face must me 10 shades of red.