Guide My Steps - A Zak Bagans Story

Kissing Booth Employee

A/N: DEAD TIRED. Editing tomorrow, so please ignore any mistakes! It's a rather long chapter! ENJOY! :)

“What if you could hear this song? What if I felt like I belong? I might not be leaving, oh so soon. Began the night believing…I loved you in the moonlight. So, for tonight, I’ll stay here with you. Yes, for tonight, I’ll lay here with you.” – What If by Joshua Radin

*

For hours it seemed, Bagans and I stood, arm in arm. Sprawled all over each other, muttering out random memories, giggling at most. My tears instantly dried the instant Bagans began his long tale on our first…interesting confrontation. It was the night I often thought of when in desperate need of a laugh, but there was never a moment when the memory didn’t cross my mind. Usually, it held me together – like now.

I slipped the sandals from my feet, pacing aimlessly in the dimly lit corridor. Nick’s room was to my left, and Veronique’s sister was sleeping in the room on my right. Mine was behind me…which I was supposed to be fulfilling my need for beauty sleep soundlessly. I was all but asleep, clearly, walking trenches in the long corridor as thoughts raced in my head.

Nick was getting married in two days timed…married to the one he loved dearly and with his whole heart. Veronique and I had gotten closer a few weeks before the wedding was announced, which was around October. It was currently December, and I stood on one of the most private and secluded island resorts called Star Island. The beautiful Tenerife blue water migrated in from the ocean, mixing with the dark bay to create a wonderfully (and oddly) romantic color.

We were close to the Bahamas…or maybe we were in the Bahamas? I wasn’t sure. I was too stressed.

My brother, one of the sweetest men in my life, was about to get married to one of the strongest, most intelligent women of my life. Besides Miss Groff, Nick’s mother, of course. All ‘warm, gentle’ titles went to my mother figure and no one else. But that wasn’t why I was slowly falling into the depths of insanity as I created a deeper, larger hole in the floor with my bare feet.

“Emeline?” I heard the groggy voice, freezing instantly. I spun around.

“Bagans?” He furrowed his brow at the little nickname I had given him upon meeting weeks prior. “What are you doing up?” I asked, crossing my arms across the rather revealing yellowish-orange flora sundress I wore.

“Could ask you the same thing.” He smiled sweetly. The same sweet smile he enchanted me with the second we met eyes for the first time. “Locked out?” He motioned to my door. I shook my head. “Midnight swim?” At his suggestion, I tightened my arms around my breasts, hoping to hide the turquoise straps of my bikini…along with anything else that had possibly fallen out.

Looking down, I was relieved to find everything in order. All but my sandals. They laid next to my door and they were the least of my worries. I nodded to his question after checking to see that everything was in suitable condition. “Actually, I was. I…I just didn’t want to go alone…” I looked up to Bagans. He wore the same gentle smile, always comforting. “I don’t know the resort all that well…” I added, hoping I didn’t sound at all desperate of a swimming buddy.

“I’ll come, if you want.” My eyes snapped up to him.

“Please, you don’t have to. I have my phone. I can find my way around.” I insisted. Bagans simply shrugged. “You can go back to bed…I’m sorry I woke you.” He shook his head quietly, eying me with sapphire hues. There was a hint of amusement glazing over his pupils, he was silently laughing at me as I stumbled over my words…