Ocean Eyes

Chapter Twenty-Nine

"If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself."

      ~George Orwell '1984'~

I sat on the steps the next morning, early, wanting to catch Gemini before she headed off to school. I didn’t even ask to hear what extraordinary excuse the pack came up with to get me out of school for the rest of the year. They probably said I was terminally ill or something and slowly rotting away in a hospital bed.

“June? You don’t look like you’re going to school,” Gemini spoke as she left her house. I glanced up, having completely missed her door closing as I was lost in my thoughts. I smiled a rueful smile.

“That’s because I’m not,” I muttered.

She strode across the lawn, eyes worried. “Is everything okay?”

Oh, yeah. And that was another thing. Whatever sickness had plagued me at the lake house returned, and with a vengeance. It was all I could do to not shove scissors into my eyes and find a building to throw myself off of. “Actually, no. Everything is not okay. Can you come over after school so we can talk?”

She nodded. “Sure. I’m coming right after so expect me.”

I smiled. “Okay. Thanks, Gem.”

“No problem. Man, Calculus is going to suck without you.”

I waved it away. “You have Eli.”

“Not the same,” she pouted, and with a half-smile turned around and began making her way to school. I sighed, dropping my head in my hands. I expected pieces of it to appear in my hands when I pulled away but no such thing. I groaned.

“Yep, that’s about how I feel this morning,” I familiar voice met my ears and I snapped my head up, instantly smiling at the sight of Parker.

“Is all you do lifeguard?” I questioned playfully, gesturing to his attire and the whistle around his neck. He shrugged.

“Got to make a living somehow.” He strode over and sat beside me on the step. He just stared at me.

“What?” I mumbled, shifting uncomfortably.

“Something’s wrong,” he deadpanned.

“Am I that easy to read?”

He smirked, his fingers running up and down my arm. “To me you are.”

I reddened. “Thanks.”

“But really,” he persisted. “What’s wrong?”

I held my head with my hands, gaze falling to the ground. “I don’t know what to do, Parker,” I whispered. “Should I go back to my family? Should I stay here? I don’t know.”

“What do you want to do?” he asked.

“I’m not sure!” I exclaimed, fisting my hands. “I don’t even know what I’m feeling right now.”

Parker inched closer, wrapping one arm around my waist. He pressed his lips against the skin just below my ear and I jumped, pleasure-filled shivers wracking through me. I felt him smile against my skin.

“What was that?” I breathed.

“I found your soft spot,” he whispered into my ear, his breath hot washing over my skin. “You have no idea how much fun I can have with you now.”

I shoved him away. “Stop it. Focus.”

“Sorry,” he apologized, laying his head on my shoulder. It was a bit awkward because he was so much taller than me but when he slouched a little it made it a tad more bearable. Without thinking I lifted a hand to his face and stroked the side of it gently. I breathed in his scent.