It Lives in the Lake

Chapter 3

Roxanne POV-

“Whiskeytown? Where the hell is that?” Jackson asks.

“Probably in the middle of nowhere…” I say completely monotone.

“Roxanne is right.” Chris states.

“I'm what!?”

“You're correct. It is in the middle of nowhere.” Just by him saying that gave me a mini heart attack. If I'm right then, were dead. There are so many things that could possibly go wrong while a bunch of college graduates going out into nature without anything but our wits. Jackson takes notice of my mini anxiety attack and putts a consoling arm around me.

“Babe, breathe in… now breathe out. It's okay, you're okay just breathe.” He says so calmly. After a few breathers, I feel better.

“But don't worry, we'll be fine. I would never put you guys in danger.” Chris tries to calm everyone down.

While everyone is freaking out I pull out my phone and Google Whiskeytown. While also trying not to have another anxiety attack. “Um… guys, it's actually a gorgeous place. With a lot of personal space.” I state as I'm showing them my phone with the pictures.

“So it's the perfect place to hide a body.” Evangeline says. Everyone looks at her. “What, it is-”

“Anyways… you all would have gotten that information but you jumped to conclusions. Like always…” Chris says.

“Well, I've got to go. My family is trying to take pictures.” Tyrone says.

“Same.” Everyone else says.

“My Dad and I are going to get a celebratory dinner so I also have to go.” I say.

And start walking away. Jackson takes my hand in his. “I'll walk you to your dad.” He says then plants a kiss on top of my forehead.

“But your family?” I ask as we continue walking.

“Didn't show.” He says. “Well, actually only my brother did, but yeah…”

I let go of his hand and hug him. He stops in his tracks. “Oh Jackson, I'm sorry...”

“Roxanne, it's nothing. Really, there's a reason why I moved out and in with my brother. Because our egg and sperm donors are just that. They've never really been ‘parents’ they were just there so that they wouldn't get in trouble for leaving is somewhere, again…” He looks out onto the field where people are with their families and sighs. “But it wasn't always like that. When my grandparents were around me and Carson would live with them.” He chuckles. “But I'll spare you all of that for now.” He kisses me again. “ Right now it's time be happy. Come on let's get you to your dad.”

“Okay, but I wanna meet your big brother sometime.”  I say as I intertwine my fingers in his.

“You will tomorrow.” He says happily as we continue walking.

“Oh, I wasn't expecting it to be so soon, not that it's a problem I'm just surprised. We haven't been dating for a long time...” I say as my heart rate increases.

“I've told you before. I really like you. Actually, this is a good time as any.” He says as we walk to my father. “I love you.”

“Welp if I wasn't going to die from anxiety already tonight this is it...I'm dead.” I thought to myself.

I stop and get on my tippy toes and kiss him. “I love you too.”

“I know Carson will too. You're amazing.” He whispers in my ear as we approach my dad.