Like ocean to me

chapter 7

Andrew p.o.v

I keep on running, running like my life depends on it, at this point i wouldn't be surprised if that were true.

That thing pretty much stopped coming after us the moment we left the cave, i guess it just didn't want us there, even so me and Emily keep running away like there is no where that feels far away enough from that thing.

Emily is still strongly holding on to my hand, i can tell she's still very scared. 

We start gradually slowing down and soon enough were just walking in silence under the moonlight.

that's when I hear her small sobs and notice she's crying. Usually i would make fun of her, it's what i usually do, and certainly its something she expects from me, but I cant bring myself to do it. So, instead I stop walking and ask her if she's ok. 

- not really - she answers - its just, you know, anything could have happened, we don't know how this magic stuff works. we could have died!

- i know... it all happened so fast.

She's right, it could have been the end. One day our corpses would've been found next to the water, our deaths considered accidental drowning or something like that. No one would ever know the truth.

I don't know why but i have the urge to hug her, or maybe I want to be hugged, or maybe I'm just cold because i forgot to bring a coat, or maybe its because i cant wrap my head around the fact that i might've not ever been able see her again, or anyone for that fact. I don't think it matters why it is, because next thing i know i'm hugging her, and she's hugging me back.

Her arms are wrapped around my waist while she is crying on my shoulder. The closeness of our bodies gives me butterflies like i never had before, and i never want to pull away. 

- Thank you Andrew, for trying to help me, and for being there for me.

She mumbles into my t-shirt. 

I'm not exactly sure how to respond to a praise made by Emily, I don't remember the last time she thanked me without sarcasm... and to be fair i don't remember the last time i gave her a reason to. 

So i just stay quiet and hug her tighter.

--------------------------

The sun is starting to rise, and me and Emily haven't even considered going back to our houses. were just sitting next to each other on a random rock appreciating the view, close enough to feel each others warmth but not touching.

- so what do we do now?

Emily mumbles, looking at me with her eyes still a bit swollen from crying.

- I guess we try to find whoever gave you that letter... maybe they'll have some answers. 

- Maybe...

After an awkward moment of silence Emily asks:

- we should go back shouldn't we?

- we probably should.

I guess she's right, we need to get going, i just wish we didn't.

The walk back is quiet, i wish i was still holding Emily's hand, mostly because its cold, and she's warm, also she was smart enough to bring a hoodie. 

Turning the key while opening the door silently is the biggest challenge, and Emily is making so much noise i bet she could wake up both of out parents. It's obvious she's not used to this.

The moment i get to my room i fall on the bed like a dead body and immediately fall asleep

-----------------------

Emily's p.o.v

When my mom comes inside my room, it feels like i fell asleep just a second ago.

- Emily get your ass up! since when are you this lazy? Come on, chop chop! get ready to go to the beach.

- there isn't a specific time to go to the beach mom... just let me sleep... just a little bit more...

- No, get up, you can sleep at the beach, we already let you stay at home all day yesterday! you need to get some sun!

i'm still half asleep when i get to the beach, but i feel a bit of my irritation dissolving when i spot Andrew (also looking like a zombie) and remember how unusually nice he was to me yesterday. I knew he had it in him to be pleasant, he just didn't show that often.

My trance is broken by Dan running up to me, his glasses almost falling out of his face by the way he is trying to run in the sand.

- Emily, i think i saw something crazy.

He whispers, making sure no one else heard us.

oh bloody hell, i hope he didn't decide to go for a midnight walk yesterday out of all days.

- And what might that be?

After a moment of silence 

- are you hiding something from me?

- what? no.

- Ok then, i just thought heard your 'im hiding something voice'

- oh, not at all, what could i be hiding? anyway, didn't you have to tell me something? 

- oh yes, about that. I was actually going to tell you this yesterday, but you didn't come to the beach, so... i know i could've just texted you, but we don't know what this is so i didn't think it was safe. well, me and Sean were walking that day, at night, after dinner, Madison was a bitch to him, and i was comforting him, and... we saw someone at your window but... it wasn't you.