Have a Little Faith

Levi's POV

Levi's POV

I was already at the beach when first people came down from the parking lot. Josh slapped my back and grinned widely at me. His nervous excitement was amusing to watch, you would think that having hosted this party four years in a row and each time being a blast, the host would be relaxed. Not josh, he was barely containing his excitement, trying to play it cool, but his twitching fingers gave him away.

"Relax josh, it's amazing every year, this year will be no different"

His wide blue eyes stared at me and he eventually nodded.

"I'll go turn up the music" he said, jumping up from the log. I chuckled at his behavior, settling back and watching more people stream towards the large log pile where everyone started dancing. The sun had set and twilight settled around us, giving the party a mysterious vibe. It would only take a couple more minutes until the alcohol started flowing and the party would go into overdrive. I watched the large group of teenagers begin to jump up and down to the beat, more and more people joining in, singing extremely off-key.  The knot of people was so large that people stumbled into the water, some by choice others involuntarily. Suddenly the flaming red hair of a certain girl caught my eye and I straightened up. She was here. I watched her jump up and down like everyone else until she stood in the shallow water the small waves lapping at her cowboy boots. Her head snapped towards the ocean where white spray hit her right on. I watched her face morph into one of panic and jumped to my feet. I pushed my way through the crowd, my height allowing me to see her. I saw her try pushing back into the beach or move to the side but the onslaught of people streaming into the ocean like a wall, forced her further into the ocean. When I was close enough I took her hand in mine and pushed people out of our way until we were back in the actual beach. I turned to look down at her, only to be attacked on a hug. She buried her face in my chest again, just like the first time and mumbled a thank you. I drew my arms around her and rubbed her back.

"That was too close. I told Tess it would end badly. I didn't even want to go here" she stumbled over her words.

"You're fine now" I said looking down at her beautiful French braid. Her Jean shorts showcased her long legs, her cowboy boots giving her an extra inch. I would be lying if I said her outfit had gone unnoticed by me.

She swiped a loose stand of hair behind her ear and laced her fingers together trying to hide the trembling. I took her hands in mine, her slender diners cold and clammy. My warm ones warmed them up and she stared at the ground until I released them again.

"You came here with your friends?" I asked studying her cute face.

"Yeah, haven't really gotten out much after the incident" she mumbled hesitantly looking up at me.

Her words registered and I noticed her red eyes.

"Still having nightmares?" I asked, stepping closer to her when people pushed past behind me, the music seeming to get louder and louder.

She had to tilt her head back to look me in the eye.

"Yeah, the uh, the memories always come and I... well i die in the dreams and then I wake up." She said closing her eyes when she finished the sentence.