Expose Them, sequel to Release Me (Editing)

10

The cool, rich milk snakes its way down my throat.

"Didn't know cups were outdated?"

"I couldn't find any," I lie, placing the carton on the counter and wiping at my mouth with my palm.

Derek opens the cabinet. "Oh, are these not cups?"

"Whatever."

"So..." He leans over the counter, looking more than good in his flannel PJs.

I'm suddenly uncomfortable, remembering the moment we shared in the cramped janitor's closet. The feeling of his warm hands cupping my face, while mine tangled themselves in his soft hair; vivid in my mind.

"Um." I try to clear my head. "You cold?"

He looks down at his PJs. "Nah, just had nothing else to wear." He watches the reaction on my face as he pulls his shirt off and tosses it to the side. "Much better."

"Okay, that's one way to cool down."

He chuckles, the muscles in his broad, masculine chest flexing. "Yup, aren't we guys lucky?"

This gets an eye roll from me. "I'm going to reside in my bedroom if you'll excuse me." As I brush past him I bump into his shoulder, warmth spreading through my body.

I plop onto the bed, sinking into the soft mattress. Thoughts of Derek begin to surround me. I push them all away, succumbing to the world of dreams and nightmares.

...

Hunter's fingers interlace with mine. "Ready?" His chocolate brown eyes lock on mine and I find myself drowning in their depths.

"Never been more ready before."

He smiles, tugging on my arm. I walk up beside him, looking down at the water below.

"On the count of three," he whispers.

My grip on his hand strengthens.

"One-two-three... JUMP!"

He leaps first, pulling me after him over the cliff. I let out a cry as we ride the waterfall like a slide. My hand that's not holding onto Hunter's for dear life runs through the water around us. I've never felt so alive before.

We drop into the lagoon, water engulfing our bodies. Through the murkiness, I spot Hunter and smile. Right here, right now it's just the two of us.

I break through the surface, cool air immediately encasing my body, causing my teeth to chatter.

Hunter embraces me from behind. "Isn't this great?" His warm lips tickle my ear.

I twist around in his arms to face him. "More than that, it's perfect." Which is the truth, from all our camping trips this one has been the best so far.

He grins tugging me closer to him, that our noses are touching. "You know you're beautiful, don't you?"

"You might have mentioned it more than once." I place my hand on his bare chest and give him a small push, making him take a few steps back.

"Have I ever told you that I love you?"

I shake my head slowly. To my surprise, he begins to lift me up. Before he drops me, I wrap my arms around his neck and legs around his waist. His warm hands grip my bottom, his lips lingering over mine.

"I love you Alison Margaret Rose Peterson," he confesses, before uniting our lips.

Hunter and I have shared many kisses before, but none has ever been like this one, for this one expresses our true love for each other.

I pull away and close my eyes, my voice in a whisper when I utter for the very first time, "I love you too."

When I open them he's gone. Panicking, I begin to search for him.

"Hunter?"

There's no reply.

Trudging through the water, I head for the shore.

That's when I see him. Derek.

All the blood rushes from my face to my toes as I notice the gun in his hand. His eyes meet mine and he smiles, dimples revealed.

"No," I cry.

Hunter suddenly appears just like I expected and the gun goes off.

...

My eyes fly open, hair plastered down to my forehead from the cold sweat.

The door flies open and Derek enters, his concerned eyes landing on me. "Is everything alright? You were screaming."

I inhale then exhale. "Yeah, just a bad nightmare."

He sits on the edge of the bed and I scoot back until my back comes in contact with the wooden bedpost.

"Do I smell that bad?"

"I would like to be left alone." I keep my voice low, while my eyes are glued to the high ceiling.

"Oh." He seems hurt, causing a ball of guilt to bounce around in my chest. I ignore it.

He then touches my knee lightly, before leaving the room.

Once he's gone, I allow myself to cry. Hunter, why did you do this to me? You first broke my heart when the clinic took you and now you destroyed me since you are gone forever.

The snow-white pillow is now stained with my tears and I don't care. President White was right; I do cry most nights for Hunter.

Alice, control yourself.

"SHUT UP AND LEAVE ME ALONE," I yell to the empty space.

Derek peeks his head into the room, his hair sticking up on ends. "Who's there?"

I rub my temples. "No one."

His eyes scan the room. "Okay, I'll leave you to it then." He leaves, the door closing shut behind him.

I need to get out of here. Far away from Derek, the boy who makes me have all these confusing feelings deep inside. For I now know that we can never be a thing. I still belong to Hunter. I... I still love him.

Changing into a warm sweater and jeans, I sneak out of the room to find Derek fast asleep on the couch. I know it's creepy, but I stop for a minute to watch him. He just looks so peaceful, his handsome face squished into the cushions, a stray strand of light hair by his eyes. I place my hand out, ready to push it aside.

Alice, stop, you'll wake him.

My hands drop to my sides, my fingers clenched.

Leave Alice, just go.

So I do.