Because I've Lost Everything

Chapter Fifteen

Sunday: October 25, 2015

Caleb Grimm

"What're we doing out here?" Laura asked.

"You'll find out," I said. She groaned loudly. I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Will you relax? I can practically feel your tension, Lu."

"I don't like surprises, Caleb," she said.

"Oh, please. You'll love this one."

"I won't."

"You've loved it before. Before your father erased it," I said.

She slapped my shoulder. I stopped walking, faking a real injury from the hit. "Caleb, you're such a child," she muttered. Still, she stood in front of me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and forced me down to her height so she could kiss me.

I smiled as I pulled away from her. "Mm, love you, too." I stepped back, grabbed her hand, and pulled her forward. After one more groan, she walked with me. I felt like the walk through the forest was extremely long. I was beginning to get worried that something had happened to our spot. However, the clearing soon came into view. I squeezed her hand as we reached the middle of the clearing.

"What is this?" she asked.

"This is where I show you. This is where I show you every single time."

Draculaura

"I'm so confused," I admitted.

Caleb smiled. "That's okay. You'll understand." He let go of my hand and took several steps forward before turning to face me. I hated how graceful his movements were. If I tried to walk with the same ease and grace as he did, I'd trip and fall on my face. "Don't be scared," he whispered.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why would I be scared?" I asked.

He smiled and shook his head. He let his eyes close and drew in a deep breath. He held the breath and rolled his shoulder back. On an exhale, his wings began to unfurl. I moved a hand up to my mouth. His wings started at the base of shoulders, nothing but two white streaks extending outward from his back. I bit back a gasp as I watched his wings stretch higher up before fanning out behind him. The edges of his white wings were fringed with a beautiful blue, the same blue as his gorgeous eyes.

I noticed that a light blue glow surrounded him, such a light blue that it was practically transparent. The transparency, however, was obstructed by silver glitter. Caleb's eyes opened, an action that caused the light and the glitter to fall to the ground like confetti. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared.

"Can I?" I asked as I stepped closer to him. He nodded. I reached out and ran my fingers along his wings. They were soft like velvet, plush like expensive pillows. Caleb looked nervous as he stared down at me, his eyes unblinking. "So... this is really you?" I asked, my voice quiet. He nodded slowly. "Caleb, you're beautiful. Or... handsome, I guess. It depends on you."

He smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist. He seemed much more relaxed now. "You can call me whatever you want to, Lu." His nose brushed against mine. "Do I scare you?" I shook my head and closed my eyes. I felt safe around him. "Are you surprised?"

"They're a lot nicer than what I was originally expecting," I admitted. "I was expecting something... tattered, I guess."

He tensed. "Because I'm evil, right?"

"It would've made sense." His arms tightened around my back. "I don't think you're evil. You're caring and nice."

"Yeah, to you. I hate everyone else."

"You saved my life, Caleb. I really don't believe you're evil," I said.

He smiled down at me. "Thanks, Lu." The smile faded, quickly being replaced with a very serious expression. "I want to ask you something that is very important to me. I never have time to ask, but this time I do."

"Well, ask away."

"I want you to marry me."

"That's not a question."

Caleb frowned, his brows pulling together. "Will you marry me?" he asked, his tone unsure.

I giggled. "Yes, Caleb, I'll marry you."

"Oh, thank God, I thought you were going to say no." He kissed me on the forehead and pulled me closer to his chest.

"I don't think I could say no to you, even if I wanted to." I wrapped my arms around his back, my fingers grasping at his wings. "You have to tell my dad."

"What? No. I'm not telling your dad. You are."

I scoffed. "No, I'm not. That's all on you." I tilted my head back, my chin resting on chest.

"No."

"Then I guess we're not getting married."

His lips parted in shock as he stared at me. "You can't do--That's cheating!"

"Mm... No it's not."

"You're rude."

I smiled. "It's a Dracula quality."

"So I've guessed." He rolled his eyes. "I'll tell him tonight."