Beyond The Ferns |ON HOLD|

Chapter 14: Rivals by the River

chapter dedicated to @Lil_Turtle_t

PLUM'S POV

I let out a short shriek as the branch fell.

"Oh shit!"

Both the branch and I fell right into the river carrying the mysterious boy with us. A loud splash echoed through the forest.

I sat on the riverbank drenched in water from head to toe. I pulled at my short hair which is now frizzy. I hate frizzy hair. I looked at the boy which now seem either dead or unconscious. I had managed to drag him out of the water in the last minute onto a bed of morass. I stand and went closer to look at him. He was shirtless and was lying down on his back, his long dark hair now wet, was spilled all over his face. I crouched down near his body took up a small twig. I poked his beautiful face.

No response.

Shit!

Then I remember a little advice Fushias once told me

''Listen, Plum if you ever in a situation where you have to revive a guy, one hard punch to his nose or a kick to the groin should do the trick,'' she had said with a devilish grin.

''okay, Plum, you can do this,' I muttered to myself. Courage seeping into my veins as I positioned myself until I'm sitting on his chest.

I went to punch him when he starts to cough up water. I screamed.

Is he supposed to do that?

''You know CPR wo-''

Blame it on reflex, I punched him straight on the nose. This time he seems more dead, his head lolled to the side.

oh monkey's waste!

Panic starts to settle in, my head now feels fuzzy. I just wanted to look at him. Now he is dead. I looked around us to see if I could spot Hibiscus or the bit-Calathes. I am only greeted with tall green trees a steadily flowing river and the sound of birds.

Think Plum,think

Then the idea hit me, whenever someone is sick in the village, Lobelia and the healers use herbs to revive them. I can do that. Just puck a few leaves and put it his throat, I've never seen the healing process before but there could not have been any other way. Right?

I hurried as fast as I could to find some leaves, Lobelia once said

''Every plant has its medical purpose.''

I went from plant to plant picking the darkest green leave I could find. I hope he is a vegetarian.

I went back to the riverside with my hands full of 'special healing herbs' to heal him when I realized that his body seems to have moved closer to the river. Another roll and he'll be straight in the water.

I rushed over to him and placed the bundle of leaves beside his head and went back in the position I was in, but this time I wasn't sitting on him.

Okay Plum you got this

I cracked my fingers. I was trying hard not to stare at the muscles in his arms, they somehow remind me of Aidens only that he has smaller arms. I brushed his dark hair out of his face. It felt smooth and soft. I could hold it forever.

Have you ever been so frightened, it feels as if your whole system seems to shut down? You are paralyzed can't move. Your throat seems to close up.That was exactly how I felt when I saw a pair of deep green eyes staring back at me.

''What do you think you are doing!?'' his deep husky voice caught me off guard, causing me to stumble into the river. It seems as his voice broke me out of the trance as I put my arms out to brace myself for the fall that didnt come. A strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back into a hard surface.

''How many heart attacks can you give me?'' I shrieked at the stranger, pulling myself out of his grip.

''I just saved your wild ass!'' he spits at me, a thick accent dripping off every word. He stands and starts the brush the dust of his pants.

I crossed my arms and slowly backs into a few tall ferns

''I was going to heal your body'' I said slowly to him, inside I'm trembling, too much-unanswered questions. What is he? Where is he from? Am I on the wrong side of the island? Why is he so attractive? Why shirtless?

Plum!

"What are you doing on my island! he demanded. If I had a tail right now it would be right between my legs. His voice is so intimidating.

I didn't answer, I think the water is affecting his head.

his island? what exactly is in that river water to cause this nonsense.

Suddenly his eyes went wide and he looked alarmed he then start to frantically search the area he is standing, he then found a small thin box and relief washed his face and then put the box in his pockets.

is that drugs?

The strange boy then spots my bundle of 'special healing herbs'. I thought Aiden has the most heart-stopping smile, but I was mistaken when the stranger started to smile it is a whole lockdown on all organs. He had this huge grin on his then starts to laugh clutching a strip of banana leaf. He turned to me with all his beautiful glory and twinkling eyes.

''You were going to heal me with a palm leaf? ''

''It's a banana leaf, the difference i-"

''What are you?'' He cuts me off, coming closer till he is on the verge of invading my personal space. Not that I mind.

Get a grip Plum, you don't know him.

''Am I supposed to say, human?''

He rudely turned his back as if i haven't just spoken to him, then took up a rock and throw it in the river, watching as the rock skips on the surface.

He didnt say thanks

''I think I'm going to like it here, wildflower,'' he said as he turned to me with a lazy smile, but his eyes glinted mischief.

He still didnt say thanks

''I'm Plumeria, not wildflower!'' I sassed at him, where is that bi- Calatheas when you need her.

''Plumeria, interesting" he tests my name on his tongue if only he knew what his accent his doing to me right now.

Still no form of a thank you

I watched as he starts to walks to me, and stand in front of me. I'm one of the tall girls in the village but around him makes me feel short. My head reaches his shoulders. I watched as he picked a few roots and leaves out of my hair.

''How about we make a deal, you help me find back my home and i'll give you a blow dryer.'' His deep voice surrounds me.

A blow what?

''How about a thank you or we can try back that branch falling exercise, maybe this time I will extract that piece of stick from way up your behind first before we start a conversation.''

seriously Plum? that's the best you got

He just chuckled at my lame way of trying to threaten him,He took a strand of my hair and start to twirl it around his finger. This stranger is getting irritating.

''How about we try this again, it seems as if i haven't been clear enough the first time.''

Please VoTe, CoMmEnT aNd ShArE!

This chapter was a bit. Idk. I almost give up on the book but there are people who actually likes the story and I'm flattered

Thank you all so much. Shit have me in tears yo *grabs potato and wipes face* ...don't ask

See ya next chapter

StaySafe *inserts heart emoji*