Never As It Seems

Chapter 7

It could only have been a minute or two but Amber couldn't find a way to end the embrace that Jay held her in. She was embarrassed at her tears and nervous of the conversation that would almost certainly arise from the incident in the woods. As if he were reading her mind, Jay loosened his arms enough for her to pull back a little and look up at him. She wiped at her eyes as she felt the weight of his gaze and the security of his arms around her. In different circumstances, this moment would have been perfect. She plucked up the courage to look back at him.

"I'm sorry." She managed to whisper.

He touched her cheek and with his thumb, he wiped away a stray tear. Amber's heart jerked at the sound of his voice.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." He said and he dropped the arm that was still around her. He took her hand and silently they headed back toward the group of friends.

When they arrived, Amber felt the sound of the music and the happy chatter of her friends relax her nerves a little. Jay let go of her hand and as the security of his warm, strong touch left her, she realised she was still trembling. Dessa appeared next to them.

"There you are! I really need to talk..." She caught sight of Amber's tear stained face. "Amb are you alright? What's wrong?" She looked at Jay accusingly and then it dawned on her.

"Oh no. He found you didn't he? Amber I'm so sorry! I tried to tell you he was here but I couldn't find you. Are you okay? What did he do to you?" Dessa embraced her friend.

"Nothing. I'm fine. Jay was there. It's okay."

"You're shaking. Sit down. Can I get you something? "

Amber shook her head and Jay spoke.

"Is there any tea?" He asked.

"I can get some. They're heating water on the fire now." Dessa responded.

Jay nodded. "Put a load of sugar in it." Amber screwed up her face in disgust.

"It will help calm you down." He said as Dessa headed off on her mission.

Jay sat on the blanket and Amber followed. The silence between them was loaded with questions. Jay wanted to know who Tom was and Amber wanted to know why Jay had declared he was her boyfriend. She wondered also what he would have done if Tom had accepted Jay's offer of a lift home. As her thoughts went back to the time alone in the woods with Tom, she shuddered. Jay moved a little closer not so they were touching but close enough for her to feel his warmth.

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly.

She nodded but felt the emotions of the last half hour well up again. She willed the tears not to fall as she turned her face away from Jay's line of vision.

"Thank you for what you did." She said as she gained her control and looked back at him.

"It's okay." He looked into her eyes as though there was something he wanted to say. To Amber it felt like there was no one else there, even though her boisterous friends were excitedly preparing to go for a swim. The moment was broken by Dessa thrusting a mug of steaming brown liquid into her hands.

"I'm so sorry. I feel so bad for not telling you." She said as she sat down.

Amber sipped at the tea and although she made out that it was disgusting, Jay had been right, there was something calming about it.

"Really Dess, it's okay. You know Tom. If he was that set on getting to me, he would have done anything."

Dessa nodded. "I just wish I could have warned you."