The Imperishable Flame⎪✓

❨16❩

♂︎

Driving down the empty streets of Barnsley, I tap my fingers against the steering wheel and enjoy the fresh wind coming from the window. Today Dakota decided that we meet up in a park, apparently, this is a part of our client-therapist bonding. She explained it with a new setting and how that could open up to a whole new side of me. I highly doubt it after everything that has happened between her and me, this is the first time we see each other after the almost kiss incident in her office. 

Will left early Saturday morning and the weekend was spent with Tilly, she wants to attend one of the biggest parties in this town and needs my permission. Some part of me hates her growing up and drinking at parties, but I wasn't any better myself and she has to learn it at some point. Rather it's with me close by and able to pick her up if anything happens. 

Parking the car in the lot, I spot the silver Mercedes immediately. Dakota steps out of the car when she sees me, her beautiful body is hidden behind a floral dress and I find myself enjoying the little piece of clothing. She never wore too much color in high school, but it suits her and I'm glad she has found her style. 

Her smile lights up when she sees me, "Good morning, Elijah."

After she locks her car, we start down the path leading to the lake and I enjoy the chilly morning air. "You seem happy today, love," Noting this her big eyes look into mine, the breath is knocked out of me momentarily, but I get myself together before she notices my reactions. 

"I'm happy," She smiles lightly and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, a trait of hers. "What have you been up to this weekend?"

My eyes cut to my bandaged arm, I chose to wear a jacket to ensure that she wouldn't see anything. The last thing we need is for her to worry about me. "I met up with Will actually, we hung out for a couple of days."

Her eyes widen as she sits down on a bench by the lake, I sit down next to her, "Wait, William Eastbrook?"

Nodding, "The one and only."

She purses her lips in thought and I force my eyes away from the sight, "Wow, didn't know you two were talking."

"He texted me a while back, it's kind of new. But he was cool and respected Tilly, that's all I can ask really."

"Funny how you met up with him, I drove to Welston College and hung out with Relly and Dani for a couple of days," She smiles by the memory and I'm pleasantly surprised that the three of them talk still. I had been wondering if they still kept up with each other.

"Surely, you stayed in then? From what I've witnessed during high school I would feel bad if you went out drinking without adult supervision," I smile at her and she laughs, the sound so familiar it truly awakens the feelings I have spent too long keeping away. 

"We stayed in all weekend. Although, in regards to acting stupidly while drunk, I'm no match to you, Lij."

"If I remember correctly, you were the one passed out in the hallway that one time where Relly and Dani dragged you home," Raising my eyebrows at her, a slight tint of red caresses her cheeks and I find the blushing fucking endearing. The sound of her calling me by my nickname surprises me, there are a lot of things I find incredibly sexy about her and that definitely is one of them. 

"Do you even want me to start with you?" She laughs and pushes at my shoulder with hers. 

"Now that you ask, no," I laugh. 

A sudden cloud looms over her head, the shift in the mood is so drastic and clear it throws me off for a second. Her grey eyes lock onto mine in a serious stare and I hold the gaze, "You know, so many fucked up things happened in high school, but having all of you around really made it more bearable for me. Sometimes all you need is one friend, I was blessed to have more than one."

Her dad suddenly pops into my mind, I met him that one time where he introduced himself. From that short meeting, I had an idea of what type of person he was in Dakota's life, his presence was highly intoxicating and he appeared to be a man you could always come to if you ever needed a good laugh. Their bond was very strong and it broke her when he passed, even before her graduation. She never said those words to me, but I knew how much she wished for him to be there. What pissed me off more than anything was the fact that her mother stayed away, the least she could've done was to be there for her daughter after everything. 

The hug I shared with Dakota in the hallway is something I won't ever forget, none of us have addressed it and none of us need to either. It felt right and was our own way of saying goodbye before she left for college. What none of us expected was to meet up here out of all places, in my hometown. 

"You will never be alone in your grief, love," I tell her honestly and look into her eyes, the emotions flickering through the grey irises makes me nauseous. She needs someone to talk to. Opening my arms in her direction, "Come here."

Not a second later she scoots closer and I hug her smaller frame to my body, her familiar scent envelops my senses and I relax against the bench. I can understand how it hurts her to think about her dad, she left Hetdale immediately after his funeral and never showed up after that. Some part of her must feel conflicted, she must be needing some type of closure. 

"I miss him, Lij," She whispers against my chest. "He really was the most important person to me. No one here knows what happened and I don't want to tell anyone, but keeping a secret like this is tiring."

Nodding against her curly hair, I squeeze her frame a little, "It shouldn't have to be a secret, Dakota. He is your dad and you miss him, there is nothing to be apprehensive about."

"Except for the fact that I will become the girl who lost her dad."

Guiding some of her hair away from her face, "You're a girl who lost her dad, but that doesn't define you. If you need to talk about it, then please tell your friends at college."

A little laugh escapes from her, "Funny how this should be your therapy session, right?"

Smiling, "I couldn't care any less right now, you're my friend first."

She snuggles closer to me, "I do appreciate you, you know."

Trying to control my erratic heart, "Likewise, love."