The Best Thing for Me

by Lauren Jackson

  "I'm going to take a shower." he murmured, his hot breath fanning my neck, making me shiver. I gulped, hating the feel of my legs going weak at that.

  "Er-okay." I said awkwardly.

  "You can join me if you want," he said, his voice deep.

  I shuddered, pulling back slightly. "That's a step up."

  He shrugged. "I don't care."

  "Your Mum is here..." I said, searching for more excuses. I wasn't sure if I was ready for him to see me naked yet! That's just scary. Or me seeing him! Knowing me I wouldn't be able to even look at him properly for ages.

  He chuckled at me, running a hand through his hair, making it stand up in more odd angles than it already was.

  "So?"

  "So..." I said, taking a step back, broadening the distance between us so I didn't accidentally crumble and say yes. "Uhm..."

  He snickered, fluffing up my hair. I scowled at him, slapping his hand away and attempting to smooth it over. "I'm kidding, babe. You should have seen your face."

  I ducked my head, letting my hair fall over my hot face. I knew my cheeks were burning red. He punched me lightly, and tilted my chin up, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

  "One day?"

  "One day." I repeated firmly. "Just not today."

  He pulled me into one more quick hug. He stepped back from me and grabbed his stuff. I fell back onto his bed and just stared at the ceiling. He slipped into the bathroom and I just laid there, deep in thought. It seemed like mere seconds before he was crawling over the top of me, his hair dropping water onto my face. I frowned up at him, trying not to smile at his cuteness.

  "You're wetting me!"

  "And I care because...?"

  I grimaced at him. "Gee, thanks."

  He grinned a lop side smile, causing a dimple to appear on his left cheek. I stood there, gawking awkwardly at him, forgetting to be annoyed. I couldn't stay mad at him for very long. He was so hot. Like, ridiculously hot. How could someone like me end up with someone as attractive as him? Okay, I wasn't the ugliest person in the world, but I definitely wasn't the prettiest.

  "See something you like?" he asked in a husky voice.

  I smirked up at him, as he quoted from when we first began talking. I'd repeated that line just before our first almost-kiss. That was also the first time I had had an encounter with Mark. I pushed my thoughts to the back of my mind. I refused to think about him. Thoughts of him kept waking me up last, hence me not having that great of a night. I think I had just been so traumatised from seeing him be hit. It had really scared me.

  "Of course." I said boldly.

  I arched myself up and gently pressed my lips against his. He cupped my face with his hand and I leaned into him automatically, seeking more of his touch. It seemed to comfort me. This reminded me of the time he had found me after I had slipped. Or been pulled, whatever had happened. I still wasn't quite sure.

  His thumb began caressing my cheek and without even thinking, when his thumb came in close distance to my mouth, I nipped it with my teeth. My face burned in embarrassment, at my action. I quickly cast my gaze downwards, hoping he hadn't noticed.

  I then began rambling nervously, because he obviously would have seen it. "Er- I-I, um..."

  "You're so cute," he teased, leaning down.

  He nipped at my lower lip and I gasped. He chuckled, not breaking the gesture. His lips met mine and they began moving together. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer to me. My heart began racing as his hands began roaming. My trembling fingers ended up tangled in his mop of wet, blond hair. He leaned heavily on me, locking me in with his knees.

  "I was planning on showering sometime soon..." I said slowly, attempting to get my breath back. I found myself staring up at him, falling into his bright, blue eyes. They were so captivating.

  "I know."

  "So..."

  "Try and get up."

  I gazed at him for a few moments as he smirked down at me playfully. I began squirming and wriggling. He couldn't stop the chuckle from building up in his throat as he watched my futile attempts to be released. After a few moments, I sagged back down in defeat, letting out a whoosh of breath.

  "Okay. I give up."

  "Thought you would."

  I folded my arms across my chest and stared at him pointedly. "So what now?"

  He didn't answer me with words. He removed my arms slowly, raising them above my head. He pinned them there. I began swallowing nervously. I'd seen this in movies. I'd never thought I'd experience it myself though. He pressed his lips to mine again. I felt like they were almost swelling from the amount of kisses he was giving me. We continued at that for a while, before he made a trail of soft kisses across my jawline.

  Whenever he did this, my vision seemed to blur. My eyes slid out of focus. His lips pressed against my neck. He grazed my skin with his teeth and my breathing became short and fast. Soon enough, I was almost hyperventilating. He nibbled at my ear and the whole right side of my face felt numb. I felt a shot of tingles roll down my neck and spike through my entire body. My body completely tensed up. I had never felt this way before.

  "You know..." he whispered in my ear, making my breathing turn into almost panting. "If you just relax, it'd make this a lot more enjoyable."

  "M-make what m-more enjoyable?" I stuttered, my voice coming out hoarse. Panic shot through me and immediately, I felt my palms become clammy.

  "I think you know."

  Black dots danced across my vision and I literally did begin to hyperventilate. He chuckled, releasing my arms. I slowly brought them back to my side. He rolled off me, releasing me from his capture. I slowly sat up. He did the same, placing a hand over my heart.

  "Did I make you all flustered?" he teased.

  "N-no?" I stated, but it turned out more of a question. "Um, my heart, er, just beats this fast usually."

  "Sure it does."

  I bit my lip, fiddling with my fingers that were laced together on my lap. He pulled one of my hands and placed it against his own chest. I raised my eyebrows at him as I felt his own heart beat racing. It wasn't exactly the same as mine though. I think mine could almost make a record. Mine was beating so fast that the world looked like it was spinning.

  "Go have a shower." He said quietly. "I'll go see what's for dinner."

  "O-okay..." I whispered.

  I slowly got up and my legs buckled from underneath me. I fell backwards, but Jason's arm shot out, steadying me.

  "Thanks."

  "You're welcome." he replied formally.

  I just shook my head at him, as I got ready for my shower. I grabbed my pajamas and shampoo. I practically ran into the bathroom, shut the door and leant heavily on the door. I raised my hands and surveyed them. They were shaking really bad. I took in a few calming breaths, trying to sooth my frantic heart. It will burst out of my chest if I'm not careful.

  I shed my clothes and stepped into his luxurious shower. I inhaled deeply, the steam filling my nose. The water warmed my skin up instantly. It was only after I began shampooing my hair that I re-ran what happened through my head.

  I hadn't even though about... you-know-what. You know, the 'S' word. Well, yeah, it had crossed my mind, but I just assumed it would be far ahead in the future before I did it. But then... he practically made it out we were going to do it just then. I wasn't even sure if I was ready for that sort of thing yet! I still almost fainted when he just kissed me. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but sometimes when we do kiss and stuff, I get scared.

  I'm scared because I don't know what to expect.

  I rinsed my hair and applied conditioner to it. It always made my hair so silky and soft. And smell delicious. I washed it out and shook my towel, (making sure no little creatures were hiding in it), before wrapping around my body. I quickly toweled off and shoved my shorts and long-sleeve shirt on. I tugged on my soft, fluffy socks.

  Hanging up my towel, I emerged from the bathroom. I re-packed my stuff away and skipped down to t
he kitchen. Miranda smiled at me, even though it was a bit strained. She slid the plate to me over the granite bench top.

  "Thank you," I said gratefully.

  I took a seat beside Jason at the table. Miranda soon joined us. It was quiet at first, before the ice finally broke.

  "Did you have a nice shower?" Miranda asked, sipping her wine tentatively.

  "I did, thanks." I replied.

  "What are you two up to tonight?" she asked, forking her food. "Just going to watch some movies, or...?"

  I kept my eyes on my plate. I'm not sure what Jason had in mind. I definitely was up for movies... but I think he had other plans. I played with my food, waiting for his answer, breathing deeply. Last thing I wanted right now were for my cheeks to go red.

  "Yeah probably." Jason replied casually with a shrug. "What about you?"

  "I have some work to finish up." she said, giving him a wry smile.

  "Not too much, I hope?" Jason asked with a frown. He stared at her with concern and it made my heart melt. I loved when he was sweet towards Miranda.

  She shook her head. "Not much."

  "Good."

  It fell silent for a few moments while we all just ate. When we'd all finished, I offered to clean up. She didn't need to be doing house chores right now.

  "Thank you, Emma." she said politely, squeezing my arm. "I appreciate it."

  "No worries." I said with a smile.

  Jason and I carried the dirty dishes and cutlery to the kitchen. Jason handed me the items as I placed them into the dishwasher. After that was done, we tidied up the table, packed all the stuff away and cleaned the benches.

  "Good to know you'd make a good house wife," Jason joked as I washed my hands, lathering them up in soap.

  I rolled my eyes at him. "So romantic."

  He snickered at me, coming up from behind. He snaked his arms around me and rest his hands on my stomach. He planted a sloppy kiss on my cheek and I made a face. He grabbed the wet towel from my hands and coiled it up. I watched with narrowed eyes, knowing exactly what he was planning.

  "Don't you dare-"

  He whipped my butt. I cried out in shock and pain, even though I knew it was coming. It didn't exactly hurt, but it stung slightly and my initial reaction was to yell out, 'Ow'. He grinned playfully at me and had to strike again.

  "Hey!"

  "Hello."

  "Give me that!" I demanded, trying to steal it from him.

  "Reach for it."

  He placed it above his head. He smirked at me, using his height as an unfair advantage. I only came up to about his chest.

  "Pfft, easy as." I said smoothly, pretending to flick dust off my shoulder in attempt to look cool. I'm not quite sure if it succeeded or not because he just snorted in response.

  Okay. Not easy as. I stood on my tip-toes and swiped at it. I almost got it at one point, but he dodged me swiftly. I jumped, craning my body to get it, but he easily kept it from me. I sighed in annoyance, frowning at him.

  "You're being mean tonight."

  "You like it when I'm naughty..." he said in a low, deep voice.

  My face flooded with heat. He wrapped an arm around me and tucked my head under his arm. With his vacant hand, his began to rub my head with his knuckles.

  "Stop it!" I cried out, trying to wriggle from his grip. It just tightened the more I tried. Soon he was tickling me and I couldn't breathe. "P-please - stop!"

  "Okay, okay. All you had to do was ask." he said with a shrug, letting me go. I stumbled backwards, my face bright red. I smoothed my hair over and folded my arms across my chest, giving him a fierce look.

  He wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Come on, let's go watch some T.V."

  "Okay. That sounds good." I said, almost too quickly.

  He quirked an eyebrow at me questioningly, but I pretended not to notice. We made it to the lounge room and we picked the movie. We chose 'White Chicks'. As he bent over and inserted the DVD, I took my chance. I nudged his butt with my foot and he toppled over to the side. I burst out laughing at his face.

  "I'll get you for that!"

  "Catch me if you- oomph!"

  My words were cut off when he tackled me to the ground. I gasped. He then got off me about as suddenly as he leapt on me.

  "Next time..." he said, pretending to be serious and failing. "I'll make you suffer."

  "Oh, I'm shaking." I replied sarcastically, trying to not smile.

  "You watch yourself!" he warned.

  I rolled my eyes. He crawled back over to the T.V and began fiddling with it. I smiled at him, feeling happier then I had in ages. I loved how it was back to carefree and easy with him. I don’t think it had quite sunk in that his father was in a coma. I was distracting him and it was going well, so I was happy.

  The phone began ringing and I jumped at the sound of it.

  "Could you get that?" he asked, over his shoulder.

  "Uhm, sure."

  I sprang up and jogged over to the phone. "Hello?"

  "Hi, this is Dr. Nelson calling. I was wondering if Miranda Mayor was home?"

  "S-sure. I'll just... I'll just get her!" I fumbled.

  In my haste to get to her study, I tripped over my own feet, face planting. My face made contact with the carpet harshly. I groaned, pushing myself up and reaching for the phone. I pressed it to my ear, but Dr. Nelson mustn't have heard it.

  "Ouch," I muttered, slowly getting back up. I hurriedly walked to her office. I slightly rapped on the door before opening it. "Hey, Miranda?"

  I looked around the study, locating her. She was dead asleep. Her face was pressed against the keyboard. I sighed, looking at her softly. Poor lady. She was going through a lot at the moment. I didn't have the heart to wake her, especially if the news was bad.

  "I'm sorry, she's currently unavailable." I said, quietly shutting the door. "Could I leave a message?"

  "Well... Are you a family member?"

  "I am," I lied smoothly.

  "Okay then. Well... I've got some news."

  "Yes?"

  "I'm not sure how to break it to you, but... I'm sorry. Mark Mayor has passed away."

  The phone slipped through my fingers and landed with a thud on the floor beside me. I blinked a few times, those last words running through my mind. It finally sunk through to my brain.

  Oh. My. God.

  Mark Mayor was dead...

  The whole world began spinning. I gripped the kitchen bench for support, but it didn't stop. I gulped, beginning to sway dangerously.

  How could I break this to the family!?

  I couldn't even handle it and I hated him!

  Well... I don't mean to say hate, but there isn't really another word powerful enough to replace it with. My eyes rolled into the back of my head and I felt myself slowly fall to the ground, as if everything was in slow motion.

  I fainted.

  36

  I attempted to roll over to my side but was blocked by something. Panic ran through my body instantly. Things that I knew were that I was on a bed and something was holding me there...

  Worst Case Scenario One: Somebody has kidnapped me and is holding me captive on the bed to do goodness knows what.

  Worst Case Scenario Two: Somebody wants to murder me and thought crushing my body would be a slow and painful death.

  I guess there was only one way to find out. I slowly opened my eyes and took in the surroundings. I was in a familiar room. I glanced down, noticing a tan, muscly arm slung over my abdomen. I sighed in relief and a bubble of laughter left my lips at what my groggy mind had come up with. Slowly, I slid out from underneath Jason's capture. I looked back at him, making sure he hadn't stirred. His face was smooshed into the mattress and his blond, floppy hair trailing over his face. I smiled at him. He was too cute.

  It wasn't until I was up and in the shower, before last night's events processed into my still-asleep-groggy mind. I gasped when I remembered what Dr. Nelson had said. My foot slipped out from underneath me and the back
of my head connected with the cool tiles behind me.

  "Ouch!" I cried, cradling my head in my hands.

  Why did I always do that!?

  I sighed deeply. I stepped out, toweled off and wrapped the fluffy material around my body. I emerged out and crouched down next to my bag and rummaged through it. I settled on wearing a long sleeve, red shirt and tight jeans.

  After slipping these on, I re-hung my towel back up in Jason's bathroom. Since I hadn't bothered to wet my hair, it was falling down in natural tumbles down my shoulders. I brushed my teeth and splashed the cold water on my face, as though that would help me figure out a solution to this problem.

  How could I break the news to Miranda and Jason?

  I sighed, yet again and went back into his room. He was still dead asleep. I fished my phone out from my bag and saw I had two missed calls from Mel and a text message asking where I was. I clutched the phone in my hand and crept out of his room. I tip-toed all the way down the hall and out onto his balcony. Cool air met me, nipping at my exposed face and hands. I shivered, cursing myself for not packing a jumper in my haste yesterday. I ignored the cold and dialed Mel's number, not caring if it was only eight a.m. She might be awake, she might not. She usually slept pretty late. Throughout my mental rant, Mel had answered.

  "Er- Emma? Are you there?"

  "Oh what?" I asked. "Sorry, spacing out."

  "Oh phew," she said, sighing in relief. "I went to your house last night and neither you nor Luke were home. I began to get worried. Where are you?"

  "Jason's." I answered. "Luke still isn't back?"

  "Yeah. How are they holding up? Do you know much more about Mark's condition?"

  I ran a shaky hand through my long, blonde tangle of mess, (most commonly called my 'hair') and inhaled a deep breath. "Well... last night, I answered the phone and Dr. Nelson told me some news..."

  "What news?"

  "That Mark passed away last night."

  She gasped. "Are you serious?"

  "It's not like I'd joke about something like that, Mel." I snapped angrily.