Chapter Three

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Owen stops the car at a lake, the sun reflecting perfectly off the blue-grey water. I smile as I watch toddlers running around carelessly covered in ice-cream. “Is this okay? We can go somewhere else if you want?” He asks, his hand hovering above his seat belt.

I grin unbuckling my own seatbelt; he couldn’t have picked a better place. I throw his hoodie on the back seat and open my door. “It’s perfect, come on.” I run towards the lake, knowing the exact spot I’m heading towards; all troubles forgotten- words of Finn nothing but a supressed memory. Owen follows me, jogging effortlessly and catching up in no time.

“So you like it here?” He grins, taking his beanie off and shaking his tousled, dirty blonde hair before placing it back on his head. I turn around, my face beaming.

“Like it? I love it. This…” I pause, turning and staring out onto the beautiful lake, studying the familiar green trees and arrangements of flowers. “This is where my mum and I came every weekend before she…before she died.” I stare at the floor, fiddling with my sleeve. Owen puts his hand on my shoulder, pulling me slightly; I rest my head on his ribs.

“I’m sorry, if I had have known I wouldn’t have bought you here. I just thought it would have been better than town, you know, with Finn and that lot.” His voice quiet, his arm draped completely over my shoulder.

I sigh and look at him. “You idiot, I love coming here, I haven’t been here since she died, that was 8 years ago. Thank you, I’ve missed it. Follow me I want to show you something.” I spin and run along the bank, he follows; he only has to speed walk to keep up with me.

I lead him to a huge willow tree, completely deserted. I fall down deliberately, lying flat on my back, staring up at the sun filtering through the green canopy of leaves as I catch my breath. Owen lies down next to me, hands behind his head with a leg crossed over his knee. “It’s beautiful.” He whispers, his voice slightly raspy.

“I know.” I sigh, a content smile spreading across my face. “I used to sit here for hours while she’d paint. I’d just be happy to watch her do what she loved. There was this one time,” I chuckle slightly at the memory. “I was over there,” I gesture to the perfectly oval pond, glistening in the sunlight.  “playing with the ducks, and by the time I’d come back she’d done a painting of me with them. I think I still have it in the attic.” Owen grins, bouncing his leg on his knee.

I lie back down, falling back into my own thoughts-entranced. Finn’s words came to mind. Could anything he said be true? I turn onto my side, facing away from Owen. What if he doesn’t even care, what if it’s all an act? I whimper slightly at the thought. A shock runs through my body as Owen caresses my hip and his hand runs up my spine to my hair. He twirls a dark purple lock of it, twisting it perfectly between his long fingers.

“Blair,” Owen sits up, shuffling closer to me. “I know-I know what Finn made you want to do, but you can’t attempt again, nearly losing you once was hell. I- I can’t go through that again. I will do anything, absolutely anything to ensure that I don’t lose you- Whatever the consequences. You mean too much to me, losing you would tear me apart,” He rubs the back of his neck, trailing off. “Just please don’t do it, anything but that. You can do anything else to yourself- although I don’t like the thought of that either, and will do everything possible to stop that- just don’t leave me…” He whispers, pulling me off the grass and into his arms.

He pulls me tight to his chest, I listen to his heartbeat. His arms wrap neatly around my waist, hands clasped at the small of my back- his thumb rubbing small circles to stop me from crying. I entwine my arms around his torso, resting my hands on the top on his shoulders.  “Don’t go. Please don’t go, Blair.” He whispers over, his breath warm against my forehead. “Please, I’m begging you.” I swallow hard. I know he’s saying this as my brother-step-brother- but the more he says it the more I want it to mean more; but it can’t. Of course it can’t.

“I-i won’t.” I stutter, relaxing further into his chest.

“Promise me. Promise me you won’t leave, Blair. Say it.” His voice shakes as he clutches me tighter.

I pause, and try and swallow. My hesitation makes him squeeze me and sniffle. Please, please don’t let him be crying. A water droplet falls on my head, making a small patch of hair damp.

“As long as I have you, I’m not going anywhere,” I mumble, squeezing him tighter. “I promise.”

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⏰ Last updated: Jul 19, 2014 ⏰

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