Umbra

Chapter Eight

For the rest of the week Gracelynn up kept her 'good behaviour' to get out as soon as possible. Staying, however, wasn't nearly as bad as she believed it would be, with Zeph around the whole time and her mother there until the Wednesday.

After a few encounters Diana and Zeph appeared to get along swimmingly. There was something about his undeniable charm that led people to trusting him so quickly.

Each day he and Gracelynn would sit closely on the stiff bed, and read Treasure Island together. It was then they promised each other to share an adventure: it was just what she needed. But how could they possibly have an uncontrolled adventure in such a strict setting as a school?

"Oxen and wain-ropes would not bring me back again to that accursed island; and the worst dreams that ever I have are when I hear the surf booming about its coasts or start upright in bed with the sharp voice of Captain Flint still ringing in my ears: 'Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!'" He concluded the book, shutting it over in a clean movement.

"The end," Gracelynn turned to him a grin smugly across her face. "Zeph?"

"Yeah?" He looked down to her as she lay carefully in the crook of his arm.

"Promise we'll have adventures?"

"You mean to Treasure Island?" He kidded, standing up and placing the book away for them returning to Quinciple.

"No." She guffawed.

"Falling out of tree's?" He continued with the sarcasm.

"No. I don't really know myself. I'm just done with being stuck in hospitals."

"Like running away somewhere?" His eyebrows arched and a smirk crawled up the side of his face.

"Sure, something like that. I promised myself a new life and I intend to do it."

"Then come stay with me, Ceire and my parents in our summer house in Oxford?" He came up close to her face, expecting an immediate 'yes'. Of course, she wanted to, but after the past being careful had to be one of her priorities: her heart had been shattered too many times. Everything was moving far too quickly. Within three weeks he was offering her to stay the summer. The 'meet the parents' process had already begun, that couldn't be taken back, but the whole six weeks of summer? Daunting didn't even begin to describe it. The fact he wanted an immediate answer, or appeared so, didn't help either.

"Oh my, Zeph, it's very soon" Gracelynn stuttered not sure how to approach the situation.

"But you're only an hour away from London and I swear if anything turned out bad, I would still be your friend. Come on, what's the worst that could happen?" His face filled with awe and excitement. Gracelynn honestly wanted to. Not only would it be an experience of a lifetime but it would rub it in Adrian's face that she had moved on: that silly, childish girl had found someone amazing to care for her.

"I'll think about it, the holidays don't start until Friday. I- I'm really sorry I can't give you a confirmed answer right now. It's just I've had my heart broken before and it was really, really hard to mend." She bowed her head, embarrassed over the confession. Still he did not question her words.

"Okay, think about it then." He looked to her every slightly disappointed. Oh look, I've done it again, she thought: hurt someone who was there for her. Possibly broken another heart.

"Okay." She brushed her hair to in front of her ears, hiding her embarrassed face.

"Let's collect all your stuff together and get back to school. I've got money for a taxi." Gracelynn wanted to refuse his generosity so she didn't have to owe him any more, but if she did, how could she possibly get back to school? Zeph's car was in Oxford for him going home for the summer and Gracelynn had missed the opportunity to learn, being a sick, crazed child.