His Island,My Heart (Completed)

promise we keep

Callan

I had prepared myself for the possibility that she'd moved on. That maybe, after a year in her world, I'd become nothing more than a memory-something distant and insignificant. But as I stood there, rooted to the spot, every doubt I had was crushed the moment she saw me.

Her reaction-God, I'll never forget it. She ran to me. She didn't hesitate, didn't stop to think about the people watching. She ran.

And when she threw herself into my arms, I almost forgot everything. The ache of missing her, the sleepless nights, the fear that I'd lost her forever. All of it disappeared the moment I felt her warmth against me. Her scent-soft and familiar-hit me like a wave, and my grip tightened around her as if she might vanish again.

"You're real," she whispered, her voice trembling, and my chest constricted painfully.

I buried my face in her neck, letting the feeling of her being here, in my arms, take over. "I thought I'd never see you again," I murmured. My voice shook, the words nearly breaking apart. "I thought I lost you, Lily."

I didn't realize how badly I needed to hear her say my name until she did. Over and over, her lips forming it like it was the only word that mattered. And to me, it was.

I held her tighter, afraid that if I let go, she might vanish like she had a year ago. My face pressed against her hair, and I inhaled deeply, grounding myself in her presence.

For that moment, nothing else existed. Not the curious stares of strangers or the noise of her bustling world. Just her. Always her.

*********************************

When we finally regained some semblance of composure, I reluctantly let her down. My hands instinctively reached up to wipe her tears, my thumb brushing her cheek, a watery laugh escaping her lips as she sniffled. I couldn't stop staring, couldn't stop drinking her in like a man dying of thirst.

Her friend clears her throat dramatically, pulling us back to reality.I turn toward them, narrowing my eyes at the boy who's standing far too close to her.

"This is Sarah," Lily begins nervously, "and Leo."

Sarah steps forward, her eyes widening as she takes me in. I catch the flicker of recognition when her gaze lands on the necklace.

"Wait a minute." Her voice rises an octave. "Oh my god, is this-the necklace guy?"

Leo frowns. "Who's the necklace guy?"

Sarah turned to him, grinning. "The guy who owns that necklace," she said, pointing at Lily's chest. "And, you know, her heart or whatever."

Lily shifts uncomfortably, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Sarah..."

But Sarah isn't done. She crosses her arms, taking a good look at me. "Okay, hold up. Let's backtrack. You've been talking about this guy-the mysterious Callan-for a year now, and you didn't tell me he looks like a freaking Greek god? Like, I know you said he's handsome, but you seriously undersold it."

I arch an eyebrow, glancing down at myself. I'm wearing the plainest clothes I could find-a black hoodie and jeans-trying to avoid drawing attention in her world. Yet, somehow, this girl is gaping at me as if I've arrived in full royal attire.

Lily groans, her face turning red. "Sarah. Stop."

"No, seriously!" Sarah gestures wildly at me, then at Lily. "This is unfair, Lily."

Leo mutters under his breath, "Do you ever stop talking?"

Sarah shoots him a glare. "Don't be jealous, Leo. You can't compete with literal perfection."