Run Away With Me

Longing, Leaving, and Lazarus Pits

After we got in bed last night, tears pricked the back of my eyes but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't cry over something stupid Mason said when he was drunk. He didn't have that much power over me.

We stared at the ceiling, silently wondering where we go from here. Do we stick around when our main friend group has already started to crumble? On the other hand, it isn't our fault that things took a turn for the worse? Do we give up all of the friends we've made because of one bad seed?

After a while, Jack finally opens his mouth and whispers to me, "I know you heard everything that asshole said down there. I'm sorry about that. But I hope you know that his words don't mean anything and you aren't those things he called you."

His finders grazed my cheek.

"What if I am though? I made out with so many people, I kissed you all night long, I strung him along-"

"You did not string him along. He's an idiot that misread the situation and made it a thousand times worse when he started spreading lies about you. You don't have to explain your relationship status to anyone. It's no one's business besides your own, Maddie."

"So, you don't think it was slutty for me to be making out with all of those people? To let you-" I stop and take a deep breath. This is the first time we've actually talked about what happened on the terrace and I was hoping the conversation would be a lighter one. I loved it, but it was immediately ruined in under ten minutes.

His fingers grabbed my chin, holding it tight so my eyes were looking into his unwavering stare. "Your sexual activity is your business and your business alone. Do not let anyone ever shame you or call you names because you enjoy your own body. Your body is for you and only you decide who to give it to. If that is one person or a thousand, then so be it. But I will never put you down for it and neither should you or anyone else. Do you understand me?" I nod slightly, still in his grasp. "No little punk ass kid is going to make me regret what you and I have. I am your friend before anything else. I will always be your friend and tell you the truth, I promise."

When he was finished, he dropped my chin and pulled me tight into his chest.

We fell asleep that way, pressed together until heavy breathing became shallow.

When we did wake up, it was late the next day, tangled limbs and missing blankets. It was some of the best sleep I've had since we left Colorado.

I quickly threw my hair into a bun on top of my head and yanked on last night's shorts, opting to keep the large shirt on and forgoing the bra.

Today, I didn't want to try. I just wanted to be alone with Jack and enjoy this view we were paying for.

For the better part of the morning, we walked along the beach. Soaking up the sun and salty air. The waves lapped against the shore, just barely reaching our feet. Seagulls flew around us, but other than the birds, the beach was nearly empty.

"I feel like we haven't been alone in ages." Jack says finally. Which, is somewhat true. Every time were alone, people are still around. Unless we are falling asleep and then we barely have time until we fall asleep. I nod my head, agreeing. "What was your favorite part of California?" He asks, kicking at the wave as it covers his foot.

I blush. "Uh, the cliff jumping."

"We promised no lying." He jokes but there is no laugh to match it.

"You know what it was." I shake my head, still embarrassed even after everything that has happened this week. Six months ago, I never would have imagined being where we were right now. Physically or emotionally.