Let Them See You (Joey Stamper/Anthem Lights)

Chapter 31

ahhh i'm so sorry i haven't posted in forever I've been so busy with school and other stuff and on top of that i've had writers block. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, but uh, you probably won't...

~Ariana's P.O.V.~

"Ari, wake up." I heard Brittany say. My eyes slowly fluttered open to Brittany sitting at the edge of the bed. I looked at the clock next to me. It read, 8:15 AM. "What's up?" I said, yawning. She shrugged, "I can't sleep. Let's go do something." I raised an eyebrow, "Its 8 AM, what can we do this early?"

"Let's go hiking. She said. I nodded, "Okay, that actually sounds fun. But let's wake the guys up. I don't wanna get lost up there alone." She nodded in agreement. We both changed into shorts, tshirts, and sneakers. I put on my pink workout headband that my mother got me when I was little girl to keep the hair out of my face. I haven't worn in it forever, but I carry it with me wherever I go. It's all I have left of her. I snapped out of the sorrowful memories and knocked on the guys door. After waiting for a few minutes, the door knob turned and Alan appeared.

"What's up?" He said, clearly tired. "We're going hiking, let's go." I said, smiling. "At 8 AM?" He questioned. 

"Let's not waste the day away." I said. He laughed and said, "Alright. Let me go wake the other guys up." We waited in the hallway for a few minutes. The groggy looking boys finally came out. 

"Well you guys look excited." I laughed. Chad glared, "Whose bright idea was it to go hiking this early?"

"Come on, Chad. Suck it up. Enjoy the beautiful fresh air." I said. He rolled his eyes. We went out through the lobby and followed the signs that led to the trail, up the cliff. I felt someones hand brush against mine as we headed up the mountain. "Hey, beautiful." He said. I smiled, "Hey." After walking for a short time, Chad started to complain.

"I'm hungry, can we go back now?" He said. 

"Really Chad? We just started." Alan laughed. We all laughed along as we walked. I couldn't help but admire the beautiful scene around us. "Isn't Greece so beautiful? I don't want to leave this place." I said, dreading the fact that in a few days I'd be back in Tennessee, and I'd have to face reality.

"Same, I don't want to go back home." Brittany said. We got further and further along the trail when we saw people in the distance. As we got closer and closer, the faces cleared up and were familiar. "Austin?" I sid, as Austin and Alex appeared in front of us. She laughed, "Long time, no see."

"Where are you guys headed?" She asked. 

"Up the trail and along the cliff, what about you?" I said.

"Us too. It's too beautiful not to explore." She said.

As we walked along the mountain, I started daydreaming; reflecting. Seeing all this beautiful nature made me realize just how beautiful His creation is. I came out of my daydream when we were met with three paths in front of us. The sign said they all led to the same, beautiful, destination. We decided to split up. Brittany, Caleb, and Chad went one way, Alan, Alex, and Austin went another, and Joey, my dad, and I went the final way.

~Austin's P.O.V.~

Alex and I walked hand in hand, (with Alan following) up the path. It felt like we were the only ones awake on the island right now. My mind wandered off and I found myself thinkng about my home back in England. I wanted to go back so much, but I knew the chances of that happening were slim. Alex and his band were up and coming and I couldn't pull him away from that. I then thought about my future. my dreams. I was soon to be graduating the university and starting my career as an anthropologist. There was so much to do, but so little time. I cleared my mind of that frightening thought and tried to focus on the present moment, and the beautiful life that was waiting for me, right before my eyes.

~Brittany's P.O.V.~

Chad, Caleb, and I walked side by side, in a relaxing silence. So much was going through my mind. I wanted to meet my true love already. I wanted a man of God. I thought about all of the things we would do together. Bible studies, praying for each other, worshipping God together, and so much more. My thoughts were interuppted when Caleb spoke, "Got a lot on your mind?"

I nodded. "What's going on?" He asked.

"I just want to meet find my future husband already." I said. He smiled, "Don't worry. He's on his way. It sucks waiting, but think about it. God is saving you from so much heartbreak. When you finally meet him, it'll be worth it." I nodded, taking in his wise words. I smiled at the thought that somewhere in the world, my future husband is thinking about me too.

~Joey's P.O.V.~

Her hand in mine; it just felt right. I thought about how far Ariana and I came. Just a few months ago I didn't even know her, and now I can't imagine my life without her. The broken girl I once knew could finally smile, and she actually meant it. She didn't have to pretend anymore. "What are you thinking about?" Ariana said. I smiled, "You." Her cheeks turned pink. I laughed, "You've come a long way, Ariana Brooks." She smiled, "All because of God." She hugged me, and then her dad called her over to show her something. I looked at her. Ariana was different than any other girl I had met. I caught up with them. Her dad asked her, "What do you want to do in life, Ariana?"

Without any hesitation, she said, "I'm going to change the world, and help people every chance I get."

That's why I loved her so much. She was always so selfless, and compassioniate. All she wanted to do was help others. We walked a little farther and what I saw in front of us was breathtaking. You could literally see the entire island from this spot. I turned to my left and saw Brittany, Alan, Chad, Caleb, Austin, and Alex looking at the same beautiful view I was looking at. We all stayed quiet for a while as we took in God's creation. The quietness was disturbed when Ariana latched onto my arm and said, "Why is the ground shaking?"

10 years later

"Mommy. we're almost there!" The little boy said as he grabbed his mothers hand and walked up to the cliff. They reached the top and sat down on the benches that were there. "What does the sign say, mom?"

The sign read, " Πριν από 10 χρόνια, 9 επισκέπτες περπάτησαν κατά μήκος αυτού του βράχου εκτιμήσουν αυτή την όμορφη θέα, όταν ένας τρομερός σεισμός χτύπησε. Προχωρήστε με προσοχή."

The mother couldn't read it though, as it was in greek. The mother saw her little boy and said, "Sweeetheart, stay close to me. This is dangerous." He handed her something, and she observed it closely.

In her hand, she held a pink headband.