The Last Rose Pedal

Chapter Three

Things wereabout to change and I could feel it. My mother and I haven't really spoken toeach other, something was obviously going on. I sat down while I was deep in mythoughts, looking at the flares from the fire in front of me. It was dark; Ifelt the heat from the fire hit my face. Then there was a sudden movementbeside me but I didn't move one muscle, I was too distracted by my thoughts.

"You never told me your name yet"

I tried to analyze the voice but I wasn't able to recognize it. I looked up and it was Johnson, I hesitated for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts.

"Laylah. Tell me what you meant by for now" I said

"Johnson is my last name, Landon is my first but I never really liked it"

I looked at him while the light from the fire reflected on his face, he had brown eyes, soft skin but yet his face was so muscular. He kept talking but he could tell I wasn't focused on what he was saying and once I knew that I quickly turned my head. Before I could get a word out I hear my mom calling out for my name.

"I'm really sorry, we'll talk again sometime" I said

"Yeah don't worry about it. I'll see you around"

I felt him say that with hesitation but I had no way of knowing. I walk towards the tent, only to find my mother with her arms crossed. Complaining about me getting distracted and how I'm not being careful about our arrival here. She warns me he could be a threat to us but yet I barely even know him. I complained back about how she still hasn't told me how we got here. Then she sighs. She apologizes to me but inside, it doesn't feel like she meant it. We are family, we aren't supposed to lie to each other but here we are. I left in anger, I was frustrated, she kept calling for me to come back but I didn't look back. I ran to this cave where Marcus, Mariah and Jacob were. It was basically where we started hanging out all the time. One day we were just sneaking around and Marcus found this cave and ever since we hung out here.

"You look upset, what happened?" said Mariah

"I'd rather not..." I said

She understood which is why we didn't speak a word of it again. It was getting really dark, but for the sake of what happened between my mother and me. I stayed at the cave, so did Marcus, Mariah and Jacob. They all went to camp just to get blankets and necessities. We slept that night. I was awaken by the bright sunlight shining in through the top of the cave. I looked around to see everybody was still asleep. It took me a while to gather my thoughts but I got myself up and started walking, without even knowing what my next destination was. Walking through the forest, I finally felt it, the feeling of fresh air fill my lungs, it was long enough. The trees were so tall; it was an endless pathway that looked like it went on forever. I walked towards the east end; it led to a small lake with a waterfall. It was so nice; I felt how warm the sand was with my feet. I started to climb the big boulders to reach the top of the waterfall. It was relaxing, the sound of the waters, I was at peace. Away from all the problems, the starvation and the broken system. I rested my eyes; I felt the heat from the sun hit my face. All of a sudden I hear a faint voice. I quickly opened my eyes and it was Landon. I was surprised, I was so far from camp, and I was questioning myself how did he know I was here.

"I'm sorry about yesterday" I said

"Don't be sorry, I just wanted to talk to you"

I was surprised to find him here but he'd explained to me that he found this waterfall after landing here. We both laid down on the boulders, I admired the sky while I listened to his soothing voice. Inside, I was just worried I would say the wrong thing. With every question he asked me, I felt butterflies in my stomach and my cheeks on the verge to blush.