Hero & Josephine (Hardin and Tessa) *Preview Below*
This book follows the events, highs and lows of the After co-stars Hero and Josephine; providing insight into their world as they navigate their way through a global lockdown
*pictures included*
"...
We'd been slowly walking along the beach now for quite some time.
Eventually, I had put her down and almost instantly regretted it.
The confusing thing is, I'm not sure if it was her closeness or her warmth that I missed the most.
I would have happily kept her in my arms for longer, had the waves not been getting as dangerously close as they were.
And though she didn't tell me she was scared, I could see the fear in her eyes whenever I looked at her, which is why I decided it would be best to walk faster.
At first, I thought we were beating the tide but then I soon realised that the tide was beating us and we were quickly running out of sand where the sea to land ratio was rapidly thinning out against our favour.
I can see how much she is struggling, I am too.
My legs are hurting like mad but I know we have to keep going, what other choice do we have?
"Wait." I interrupt the silence between us and hold my hand gently against her stomach so that she will stop.
"You're going to have to get on my back." I say, lowering myself in front of her and looking back.
Her lips part, ready to protest.
"We haven't got time." I tell her.
She takes one last look at the fast approaching inky black sea before silently climbing onto my back.
I quickly stand and make sure that she is comfortable before I begin to walk again, picking up the pace until I am almost jogging.
I push through the pain while she clings on to me for dear life.
She isn't heavy at all and if it wasn't for the pain in my legs, I know I could get us to safety a lot faster.
What had turned out to be quite the adventure was becoming almost life threatening.
Thankfully, after a few more minutes of excruciating pain that was on the brink of turning into cramping, I see what looks like some steps just up ahead of us and not a moment too soon either..
..For if we had been walking side by side I would have had very wet trainers by now!
We reach the steps and of course in true Jo fashion, she demands 'I put her down' to save my back and insists that she can walk up the steps herself.
I'm tempted to point out that my back was never the problem in the first place, and that it was my legs that were hurting but I don't want her to know that I'm in pain.
Especially if she will blame herself and think that she somehow contributed to it.
Finally, we reach the top of the steps and I collapse on the nearby grass, rolling over onto my back and smirking at her reaction.
She thinks I'm being dramatic.. Which I find rather amusing as I know for a fact that if she could feel what I'm feeling right now, even just for a fraction of a second, that she would be doing the same if not worse.
"Hero?" She calls my name in an unreadable tone of voice.
I don't think I've ever liked the way anyone else has said my name as much as I do when I hear her say it.
She leans down beside me, probably because I didn't answer her.
Big mistake.
I pull her on top of me with ease and hold her there with a massive grin on my face as she giggles and wriggles, trying and failing miserably, to get free.
I close my eyes and savour the moment, knowing full well that she won't like what I'm about to suggest next..
..Which is why I decide to delay it a little longer.
"Lay with me?" I ask her as I let go and she stops her struggling.
"I am?!" She says angrily.
"Next to me." I mean.
She sighs and sits up whilst still on top of me.
I instantly hold my breath until she manoeuvres herself off of me. "Fine." She mumbles.
"What was that?" I ask, cupping my hand to my ear mockingly.
"I said fine." She repeats herself, still full of attitude.
"What?" I exclaim sitting up and frowning. "I'm sorry, I don't quite understand the language of 'attitude'.."
"Stop." She giggles, which is exactly what I was aiming for.
"Why?" I lean over her until my face is directly above hers..
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..It's that dark that I can barely see anything.
But I can see enough.
"Hero?"
"Mm?" I answer, pressing my body even closer to hers and enjoying the warmth.
"I.." She rasps.
"..You?" I raise my eyebrows expectantly.
"Can't, breathe.." She strains.
"Oh! Shit, sorry!?" I immediately get up and hold my hand out to her to help her up.
"It's fine." She smiles and stands.
You are right, it is fine. So long as you are smiling.
