Evangeline Lawrence has a secret. A big secret. One involving her birthday, the player, August Griffin, who's (almost) like a brother to her, and a kiss the night before he ran away. No one else knows about it, aside from August, of course, and Evan...
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Pov: August
At some point in the night, maybe around one o'clock, I wake up to the bed shaking and whimpering coming from Ann's side. I sit up, my heart pounding, and pull away some of the pillows to reveal a trembling girl, twisted in the sheets. Her hair had fallen out of her braid and is scattered all over the pillows.
Slowly, I reach out my hand and place it gently on her shaking shoulder. At first, her body starts to quiver more, but then she quiets. I pull her into my body and wrap my whole arm around her. I love the way she fits into me perfectly. Like the only missing puzzle piece coming together with the rest of the jigsaw.
She snuggles against me and I can feel her breathing slow again. I still don't know what she dreams about every night, I just know that I can stop whatever it is. To be honest, being near her makes it easier for me to sleep, too.
...
Pov: Evangeline
I'm half awake when I realize I'm cuddled up into August's bare chest. I try to remember getting there, but I can't. It doesn't matter, though.
I squeeze myself even closer to him, trying to get even warmer. I know there's a reason I shouldn't do that. I know I should be mad at him, but this early in the morning, I don't care. Even though it means I'll probably regret it when I wake up.
I drift back to sleep.
...
Pov: August
At nine am, Ann's eyes flutter open. She's still tucked away safely in my arms. I woke up a couple minutes ago, but, out of shear stupidity, didn't let her go.
She looks up at me, and suddenly I realize how close together we are. I don't think that even one of those atom thingies could fit between us. She's completely pressed up against me, with one leg wrapped around my waist. One of my hand is stroking her hair while the other is at the small of her back, locking her in my arms.
Pov: Evangeline
What the hell am I about to do?
Pov: August
Even though I know we both must have terrible breath, I lean in closer until my forehead touches hers. I'm feeling things I didn't even know it was possible to feel.
Pov: Evangeline
I close my eye, thinking I'm stupid as hell but wanting this. I wait for him to press his lips against mine. And wait. And wait.
August pulls away.
My stomach drops and I can feel the hurt welling up inside of me. I'm such an idiot to think he would kiss me. After all, he was the one who wanted this to stop.
I sit up and turn away from him so he can't see the disappointment etched onto my face.
Pov: August
Ann turns away from me. I wish I hadn't pulled back, but I know why I did. I can't seem to think straight around her. If I did kiss her, I know I would regret it later. I wish I could've just left her thinking I hate her.
"I'm sorry." It's not my mouth those words come out of.
"I'm sorry because I know you had to take time out of work because of some stupid dreams I'm having, and I'm sorry for being so stubborn and not wanting to see anyone about my dream, and I'm sorry for taking you away from whatever life you have, and I'm sorry because you said you didn't want me, and I didn't accept that. I was so angry yesterday because I thought you should've been here to apologize to me and not just to help me. I wished you would take back everything you said. But today I understand that you were there to help me just like a brother would be. So I guess," she swallows. "I guess what I'm saying is, I'm sorry for thinking you would be anything more than a friend."
Pov: Evangeline
The words fall out of my mouth like they're bricks piled high on the edge of the roof of a skyscraper. There's a lump building up in my throat, so I pause for a moment and try to swallow it back down.
"I guess what I'm saying is," deep breath. "I'm sorry for thinking you would be anything more than a friend."
I want to cry but I won't. It feels like a giant weight has been lifted off my chest. I spent all last night before I fell asleep overthinking everything he said. Him not being able to let me go, him not apologizing, him telling me he was a liar, then changing the topic.
I don't want to be that girl who doesn't think about anything but a boy. But I wanted to apologize. Apologies always make things final.
Then again, I also thought break ups make things final.
Pov: August
My breath catches in my throat. No. No. No. No. No. She cannot be trying to end things. They just restarted.
She stands up, pulls on her shorts and says,"I'm going to go now. Have a nice life, August Griffin."
I want to stop her, to say something, anything. My mouth won't open. My limbs won't move. I suddenly feel powerless. I can't stop this. I need to stop this. She can't leave.
I can hear her grab a few more things, then door opens and closes. She's gone.
My body falls back against the bed. I can feel the hard springs poking at my back, but I can't move. There's something running down my checks. I don't think I've cried in years, but here I am. Crying.
Pov: Evangeline
I can feel the steering wheel. That's a good thing.
The cool medal grounds me, letting me know I'm real. This is real. I blow out a breath and close my eyes. I should go back to Nathan and Ben's, but something tells me they can wait. I know that my parents don't need the car today as the planned on walking around town with Nathan and Ben.
Instead of hopping on the highway to go home, I start driving towards the beach I went to yesterday. It seems to me that this little beach is becoming my getaway.
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