As Long As I Have You.

As Long As I Have You. CH.3

CH.3

It felt so real as he held me close to his warm shirtless body, and I stood there looking up into his welcoming blue eyes one of them now black and swelling. My fingers traced bruises along his wrists, and I felt tears fall down my face. He gently wiped them away and cradled my face in his hands and said, "As Long As I Have You Jak, I will be ok." and that's when I woke up, realizing it was just a dream.

***

I walked out of the house after telling mom about yesterday, and saying goodbye. Of course it's raining, and cold but I have to deal with it. My stomach grumbles as I stomp through the muddy puddles, and stop under a tree at the bus stop.

My thoughts wandered back to my dream. Why would I dream like that? I just met River. I sat there in a state of confusion until I heard a noise behind me and jerked my head around to see River coming out of the bushes.

"God River, why are you even back there?" I said seeing him grin sheepishly.

"Just where I hide. Come on I wanna show you something." he said grabbing my hand and leading me through the forest.

"We missed the bus. So this better be workers it." I told him.

"Trust me, it will be."

We walked for what seemed like an hour, and reached a large oak tree with a ladder climbing into a tree house. It was pretty cool on the outside.

"Let's go up." River said directing me to the ladder. I climbed up careful not to fall, and crawled into the corner of the small house. He climbed in after me seconds later.

"What do you think?"

I looked around and noticed the sleeping bag and thick blanket, along with multiple note books and a can of pencils. I smiled at him.

"It's pretty cool. Do you spend a lot of time here?"

Looking down at his feet he replied. "Yeah, anytime I can get away from my dad, I do, and when I do, I sleep here. I have the notebooks to write and draw, it's kind of my escape from everything" he told me frowning ever so slightly.

"Why would you want to be away from your dad?" my eye brows arching together in confusion.

Tears started forming in his beautiful eyes. He was truly gorgeous. His  athletic build, strong and stunning body features, those blue eyes and long wavy brown hair.

"My dad is a heavy drinker. He is always drunk. Has always been an alcoholic, for as long as I can remember" he continued after a short pause. "He hates me, has since I was born. When he isn't drunk he's calling me names and saying it's my fault mom died, and says it should have been me. When he is drunk, it's even worse, he is extremely  abusive."

The tears that had been filling his eyes were now streaming down his beautiful face. It pained me to see him cry, to see him hurt. He took is jacket and shirt off to reveal multiple bruises down his arms, chest, and stomach, even on the back of his neck.

He looked down and cried. I stood, walked over to him, and sat in the cradle of his Indian crossed legs. I removed his hands from his face, and placed them on my shoulders. He looked up at me. I then rammed my body into his, bringing him into a tight hug.

Hugging me back we sat like that for awhile. It felt right. Like it was supposed to be this way...

I trailed out of my thoughts when he hugged me tighter, and grabbed my waist to push me back so he could look into my eyes.

"No one has ever cared enough just to listen. Thank you." River told me with a half smile taking place of his frown.

"I'm always here for you River, I care. I've never had a friend before, but now I think I do." I replied smiling at him.

"Jak, why did your dad leave you?"

I glanced down before replying.

"He was having an affair. So when mom found out, he just left. It happened when I was five. I was never close to my dad, but I've always been close to my mom though. It's hard, but we make it." 

"I'm sorry, Jaklynn."

"Don't be, it's alright." I said smiling at him.

We stood up and tangled our hands together. He smiled and sat back down picking up some notebooks. Motioning for me to sit beside him he handed me a notebook, and opened the one he was holding.

"This is the notebook I sketch in, as well as the others except one, which is poetry. The one you have has not been used." I opened it and asked him why he doesn't use this one.

" Because I felt like it needed to be saved for something special."

"Like what?" I asked.

"Like you, and I. It can be our notebook for partner art, and notes."

I smiled. "Well, what should we do first?"

River snatched the notebook and pencils out of the can. After handing me one he wrote something down and set it in my lap. On the top of the paper he wrote the date, and Jak & River. I smiled at that.

Written in the first three lines was this: Jak, I know we like, just met, but I ship us. Jiver. A small giggle escaped my mouth at that. I don't know why, but I feel a strong connection to you. It's like I've known you forever.

I smiled as I wrote back: Jiver lol. I feel the same. I've never felt this way towards anyone.

I handed the notebook back to him, and watched to see his reaction. He just smiled and wrote again.

R: Just like I said before, I ship us. US. Jaklynn, I would like to have the honour of calling you, my girlfriend. I know it's early, but it feels right.

Reading this my heart skipped a beat. I could feel heat rising to my cheeks and knew that I was blushing.

J:I ship us too. It is early, but it does feel right. So I would love to give you the honour of calling me your girlfriend, if I can call you my boyfriend. :)

R: I give you the honour to call me yours, and you are mine.

I smiled and played my head on his shoulder. He scooped me up in his arms and held me close. I wrapped my arms around him and nestled my head on his shoulder, breathing onto his neck.

It was cold outside and started raining. I shivered and rolled my eyes. River leaned over and then wrapped us in the blanket. I smiled and closed my eyes.

I felt so safe and at home. There was no where else I'd rather be. Thinking about him and letting my aura sink into his, was peaceful an calming until I saw the lightning and heard the thunder.

Startled I squeaked and jumped a little in his arms. He laughed lightly.

"You scared of storms?" River asked smirking at me.

I blushed again and nodded my head in embarrassment.

"Don't be, I'm right here, you're safe with me." He told me bringing me closer to his body.

I lay there in his arms, and fall asleep, dreaming about the love of Jiver.

***