Counting Stars

chapter 4

(Justin POV)

"Have you ever seen someone look at you with such pure joy that you felt like you were going to melt on the spot? Has a smile made you feel that for one moment, someone truly cared like it didn't matter if the sun came up the next morning because it couldn't outshine that moment, that smile, or that person?" - desperation

Every time I looked at the clock, the end of the day seemed farther away. It doesn't make any sense, I know, but that's how it felt. An hour felt like three, a minute, nine. When I was finally free from work, I decided to hike to the waterfalls. I made my way down the dusty path, every step bringing me closer to the rush of water. Soon I was at my favorite spot, just between the falls and the lake, where you can hear the rush of falling water, but as of yet, the sound doesn't tarnish the stillness of the lake.

This exact spot had become my inspiration this summer. Song after song was composed, most of them sounded stupid, but they were still my best work yet. This time, however, something pushed me onward. I kept walking through the dirt, past the lake, and finally to the falls themselves.

What surprised me most when I arrived was the look on Amy's face as she started to fall backwards off the cliff. I wasted no time grabbing her and holding her close, making sure she didn't fall again.

"What the hell was that?" I said because something had to be wrong with her. I knew that wasn't an accident.

"Why'd you stop me?" Tears sat on her eyelashes and cheeks. She looked almost angry, but also, she looked relieved.

What decent human being wouldn't save the love of his life? I thought, but I wouldn't, couldn't tell her that. "Because that's the kind of person I am," I said. I couldn't think of anything else to tell her.

"You can let go now," she said, brown eyes staring into my own. I watched her tears fall steadily down her face as I struggled to respond.

"Not until you promise never to do that again."

"I promise." she looked away, and I knew that although she wouldn't try it now, she might try another time, but I let her go, taking in her white tennis shoes, because I couldn't keep holding her like that when I knew that she hardly knew me, and it would be weird if I tried to hold onto her forever, even though I desperately wanted to.

"Let me walk you back to your cabin," I said, hoping she would at least give me a chance to keep her safe.

"You're a regular gentleman, aren't you," she laughed, even though the tears still streaked her cheeks.

I wished I could take away her pain, take away the sadness she carried. For now, though, I took her to her cabin, and then I went to my own.