Guarded Hearts ✓

Chapter 18

A/N: Make sure to check out the song on the right. I think it fits the chapter pretty well (:  --->

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Chapter 18

I walked along a deserted, hard pebbled beach at dawn. My feet lay bare; each step further along the shoreline more painful. I saw a familiar face suddenly stand up from a white checkered picnic blanket and slowly look around. A smile lit my face and I began to run towards him. My foot hit a rough stone and I winced, stopping momentarily before continuing my run towards him. His gaze passed through me as if I wasn't even there.

     "Violet. I know you're here, I can feel it." He paused, turning his head to look to his left. I walked until I was faced in front of him.

     "Alex, I'm here! I'm here Alex." Waving my hands over his face.

     "Violet...." He sighed. "Where ever you are...try to connect with me."

     I cocked an eyebrow up at him. How the hell was I meant to know what that means?

     "Try to push yourself into my mind...I know you're here. I sense it...."

     He was quiet for a while, before suddenly removing his white polo shirt. I gaped at his chest and the way the light shined off the mounds of his built six-pack. I swallowed and looked away, blushing.

     "Look at my tattoo. Stare at it...until you feel it." I scrunched up my nose at the cryptic message. Until I 'feel it'?

     My eyes landed onto the black spiral design sitting on his upper arm. I rolled my neck back and forth. Okay, I can do this. I stared at the tattoo. When my head started to spin slightly, I blinked rapidly and looked away. This didn't feel like the last time I saw the tattoo; I had felt entranced. I could honestly say that I could easily look at the intricate spiral design all day. Right now, it simply felt like a chore.

     Alex sighed and slumped back down on the blanket. He raised brought his knees and rested his face his his palms. I slowly sat down opposite him.

     "What is this..." I murmured in confusion. Is this real, or is this a dream?

     When he raised his head slightly, I spontaneously grazed my knuckles against his soft cheek. I pulled my hand back in shock at both my actions and to the fact that I could touch him. Did he feel that? I shifted my position onto my knees and leaned forward. I poked him. Both cheeks, his forehead, his chin and even his nose. I laughed to myself at his completely oblivious expression.

     "Alex..." I drew out. I frowned at how whiny it sounded and sighed. "Fix this. Everything was fine before you got here. How'd you manage to ruin everything in just a few days?"

      He raised his head higher and smiled slightly. I shifted to the side and followed his gaze at the ocean. My eyes drifted from the ocean back to his expression. He was sitting here, peacefully smiling at the ocean, when Jayden was probably going to lengths to find me.

     I shoved hard at his bare chest; ignoring how good it felt to touch him. He didn't move. I shoved him again, but harder. An arc formed on his back and his face bent slightly. Did he feel that? His long dark eyelashes fluttered and his palm raised as he stifled a yawn. My mouth dropped. Was he subconsciously...mocking me? Without a second thought, I raised my hand and slapped him hard on his cheek; putting all my strength into it.

     Alex's face sharped turned to the opposite side of my slap and before I had time to react, he grabbed my shoulders and had me pinned, under him on the blanket. "Violet?"