Insecure

A New Safe Haven

Seth POV

I pull up to the side of the rode next to the railing that keeps cars from falling down a hill. I try to contain my grin when I see her give me a confused look. " We have to walk a little."

She looks at me like I'm crazy for a second. I unbuckle my seat belt before she can object and try to make us go back, when I'm fully out of the car I add, " You're not gonna see it from in there." I smirk as she rolls her eyes before unbuckling her seat belt and following me to the railing.

I easily hop over it, but hold my hand out for her. I laugh when she ignores it and tries to get over by herself. By mistake she hits her side on the railing and instantly her tiny body crumples up in pain. She clenches her teeth and grips her side, making her lose her footing. I quickly reach out to grab her arm. I make sure she's steady before I ask her what's wrong. Her eyes immediately dart away from me. I feel a chill run up my spine when I think of the possiblities.

There's no way just brushing up against a rail could inflict that much pain. Did she get bullied again. Did somebody hurt her? I get heated just thinking about it. I clench my fist as my blood begins to boil. She senses my sudden change in attitude and takes a step back from me. I feel a pang in my heart when I see her react this way. I don't want her to be scared of me. I exhale deeply to release my anger. " I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I just can't stand the fact that someone might have hurt you." She relaxes at my word.

" No one hurt me." She says softly. " Atleast not on purpose... I just got hit in the stomach during soccer today." She doesn't sound like she's telling me the whole truth, but I don't push her. I didn't bring her hear to have a therapy session. If she wants to tell me she will. "Okay, well follow me. We're going downhill so you might want to hold onto me." She doesn't resist this time, holding onto my hand as we make our way down. Her tiny hand is consumed by my larger one, but it somehow fits perfectly. I tighten my grip on it and give her a reassuring smile.

We finally reach the bottom of the hill and enter the woods. I lead her passed tall oak trees but she begins to slow down as she takes in their giant forms that tower over us. The leaves are beginning to turn a bright shade of orange and yellow and the Trunk of the trees are covered in moss. After she finishes taking in the view, she realizes that I'm still holding her hand. Her eyes lock with mine, making her blush. I feel her palms clam up before she lets go. I don't know why but I frown at the lack of contact. Her hair falls infront of her eyes when she turns away, covering her embarrassed face.

" Is this what you wanted to show me?" She questions while clearing her hair from her face. I shake my head.

" No, It's past those trees over there." I point to the trees infront of us. We continue walking until we reach a clearing. she freezes in her tracks and her mouth practically hits the ground as she takes in the sight before her.

A meadow filled with dandilions and different assortments of purple, pink and yellow flowers that sprout out of the bright green grass. The trees surround the meadow, making it's own natural border. The sky above us is clear as the sun shines bright.

" It's beautiful." She says, zoned out. Almost as if she's scared to damage the beauty of the flowers, she lightly steps forward, walking toward the center of the meadow. I follow her lead until she stops abruptly and takes a spot to stretch out on top of the flowers. I lay down on the ground, strenching myself out. " How did you find this place?"

I look at her and try to decide on the best way to put it. " I didn't find it. My dad did. He grew up here and found this place before they built the road. It used to be all forest but they started to develop more and more as the years went by."

My dad brought me here one day when I was still in elementary school. I'll never forget how he always seemed so amazed and full of life every time we came here. I always felt safe here and I guess even after my dad became a heartless person, I wanted to feel connected to him somehow so I kept coming. Even if it was without him.

The feel of Isabelles' hand touching mine snaps me out of my thoughts. She stares at me worried. " What are you thinking about?" She ask like she can feel my pain. I try to smile. "Nothing, I'm just thinking about the past."

" You shouldn't smile if you're not happy." She says firmly. I double take at her words. I search her eyes trying to figure out were her sudden burst of boldness came from. I know she can see the hurt in my eyes the same way I can see the fire in hers. My heart softens as I take in what she said. I let my smile fall.

" You're right." I put my hands behind my head and close my eyes. " Can we stay here for a little longer?"

" Okay." We lay in silence for a while until I'm overcome with the need to sleep.

~

" Seth, Wake up!" My eyes flicker open as Isabelle shakes my body awake. I sit up fast, making her fall back next to me. It takes a second before my eyes adjust to the darkness surrounding us. " What time is it? I don't have a phone."

I take my phone out of my back pocket. " It's 8:23." I can just make out the way her face turns into that of a terrified child. She rakes her hand through her hair frantically before getting up and pacing the floor.

" Oh man, Oh man, Oh man." She mumbles to herself. " How long will it take you to drive me to my house?"

" Ten minutes." I reply, While standing up and wiping my eyes. "What, will your parents be worried? I could always explain-"

" NO!...I mean no. You don't have to. I'm fine. Can we go?" She says. She starts to walk back to the edge of the meadow from where we came. I'm a little taken back by her outburst. That was adnormal. I try not to dwell on it, she must have overprotective parents. I see her speed picking up and have to run to catch up to her before she burst into a full out sprint.

She stops when we reach the woods, looking around, trying to remember which direction to go in. When she finally gives up she turns back to me. I sigh and grab her hand again. I try to walk as fast as possible without tripping over anything. When we finally get to the railing she lets go of my hand and hops over. I see her wince in pain again but she pays no attention to it as she runs over to my car.

I run over to my side and unlock the car. When we're both inside, I can't help but notice how she's nervously fidgeting. I take her hands in mine to help her relax.

" Don't worry, you'll be home in no time." She looks up at me with her eyebrows creased together. Her shoulders go up before she lets out a breath of air.

This is not how I planned for the day to go. I wanted her to feel better not have a panic attack outside my car and then freak out in the place that's supposed to make her feel at home. I have to make things right.