Camp Echo Falls (Completed)

Chapter 73

I'm speechless as I look around the place he's taken me to. A clearing in the depths of the trees, soft green grass covering a wide surface.

Pink and purple flowers are dotted everywhere, the peaceful sound of water trickling in the distance can be heard.

The sun shines down through the trees, casting rays of golden light on the grass. I turn to Leo, a smile etched onto my lips.

He rubs the back of his head awkwardly as he waits for me to speak. His other hand is shoved in his jogger pocket, I can tell he's nervous as he waits for my reaction.

"How did you find this place?" I whisper as I look away from him and back at our surroundings. He must have walked for hours to stumble upon this clearing.

"I got bored and wondered off." He answers and I bite my lip to hold back a smile.

"Come here." I hold out my hand and he raises his eyebrows as he looks up at me. I motion him over and he hesitantly steps forward and takes it.

I pull him forward so we're standing in the middle of the grass, the soft scent of the flowers mixed with his cologne smells like heaven.

He stands in front of me confused as I drop his hands and lace my arms around his neck. I lean into his shoulder and close my eyes taking a deep breath of him in.

He stiffens for a second, I feel how tense he is and move my lips to his neck. "Relax." I whisper against him and I think I imagine it as he makes a soft noise.

His shoulders drop, his jaw unclenches as he moves his hands to my lower back. He pulls me closer so our chests are touching, his large arms engulfing me.

He burries his head into the crook of my neck as he holds me. I feel him let out a shaky breath against my skin, I can tell he's stressed out.

I move my hand to the back of his head, I twirl a strand of dark hair around my finger. "What's on your mind?" I keep my voice low, soothingly running my hand through his hair.

"I don't like the way they look at you." His words are opposite to his voice, it lets me know he's in pure ecstasy as he buries his head further in my neck.

He must like having his hair played with.

"I don't like the way they look at me either." I sigh softly, "It's okay though, looks can't hurt."

Leo leans back from me, a sudden protectiveness covers his face. "If they try to hurt you," he almost snarls and I see the rage flickering in his eyes.

"They won't." I say quietly, I don't want Leo to worry about me. He looks at me for another second, his eyes searching my face before he lets out a deep sigh and leans his head against me again.

I hold him tighter, running my hands through his hair once again. His arms go back around me as he hold me closer than before.

Even though I feel safe in the arms of this boy, an underlying fear seeps into my veins.

"They won't."

- - -

Leo and I have moved to the floor, my back against his chest as I sit in between his legs. His arms either side of him, keeping him propped up, his long legs holding me in place.

We've talked about everything from school to home, to food and back to school.

Somewhere in the mix, we told each other our favourite songs, getting in an argument over wether the YMCA was a country song or not.

I turn around so I'm facing him, my mouth hurting from all the smiling. "It's a disco song you twat."

Leo's mouth is turned up into a smile as he speaks, "It's a bloody country song and there's nothing you can say to change my mind."