by Tia KENZIE
Prince: What do you mean? You can’t leave. Look, I’ll look into it and get back to you. It needs to be close by though.
Me: Why does it have to be close? I mean, you can continue parenting by text from anywhere!!!!
I don’t hear anything after that. Huh! That told him. It’s true though. If I’m never going to meet him in person I may as well live where I want. He’ll always be able to contact me by phone.
It’s only 4pm as I potter around my room, have a shower and get snuggled into my new pj’s. They’re pink, glittery, and says princess on the front. They remind me of the ones I had when I lived with Nan. Dumb, but so cute. It’s not like anyone will see me in them.
I mess about on my phone for a bit, getting used to using the internet. I mean, we had the internet at my last school, but we weren’t allowed personal phones. We had to use the phones in the office if we needed to make a call. Not that I did though.
Well, to start with I did because I tried calling Dante, desperate to let him know where I was, so he could rescue me. But he never answered, it just rang out, over and over. Same with Julie’s and Colt’s too. I even sent letters to them, but I never received a reply.
At first, I was absolutely distraught, they were the only family I had left, and I never heard anything from them. After 6 months I gave up trying, believing they were ignoring me for a reason.
Thinking of them I pull up my location on my phone, to find that Harley Bay is only 40 minutes from here. 40 minutes! I can’t believe I never thought to look before now.
Shit, to think I’m so close to home.
All I could think about when I found out I was returning to the US was the thought of seeing Dante again. Well, that dream has died a death! Because I have seen him, and had my heart totally crushed.
I lay down on my bed and start remembering the beach house I shared with Nan, and the Wilders home next door with Dante’s treehouse. I start to feel sad again, so I snap myself out of it, sit up and start playing with my phone as a distraction.
Eventually I manage to sign up for a local food store, who are offering free delivery. I pop in my credit card details and place an order for some essentials. Wow, this is easy. I only choose a few bits - coffee, cream, a few snacks etc. Yeah, go on then, frozen pizzas too! I’m full board here, but I just want a few items for my room.
The app says it will be here in 30 minutes, so I get changed out of my pj’s and into my new denim shorts, boots and a long-sleeved grey jumper. I pop my hair in a high ponytail and make my way down to the dorm entrance to wait for it. This is the first time in years that I have bought new clothes and I’ve got to say, I’m feeling really good.
I sit outside on a bench, just beside the front entrance. The sun is out, casting a warm glow over me. I lay my head back against the backrest and close my eyes, imagining I’m floating on my surfboard. I can picture it now, the waves gently swaying underneath, lulling me. The sounds of the ocean all around, Dante calling my name…Luna…Luna. He doesn’t sound the same though! Wait! I snap my eyes open! That was real, not in my imagination.
I turn my head to the side and find Toby standing there, looking down at me. He’s dressed casually in jeans and a dark, blue hoody. He gestures to the bench, with his arm. “Mind if I sit down?”
“Yeah, sure.” I nod, sitting up out of my slump, looking straight ahead.
I feel nervous, being this close to him. I’m a bit scared too, knowing that he’s a Glory. Also, he obviously knows Dante.
He clears his throat, then turns to look at me. I’m not looking at him, but I can feel his stare.
“I knew who you were, when I saw you in the diner.”
I don’t reply, just keep looking straight ahead. There’s a black car parked further down the drive, facing this way. I can’t see if anyone’s in it because the windows are tinted. I keep staring at it, and I’ve got the weirdest feeling that someone’s staring right back.
“Luna.” He puts his hand on my leg.
I look towards him. All I see is a beautiful pair of amber eyes, set into a chiseled face beneath a mop of light brown hair. He truly is stunning.
“What does it matter if you knew me or not? Shit would still have happened as it did at the party, regardless.”
He squeezes my leg with his hand. “No, that’s not what I meant. I knew you were Luna, Dante’s Luna.” He pauses, shaking his head.
“I’m not Dante’s anymore.” I choke out.
He opens his mouth again but is interrupted when a small car pulls up. A young guy jumps out with my food order. I take the bags from him, signing to accept delivery first. Turning back Toby steps forward, taking the bags from me.
“Can I please help you with these at least? I can see you don’t want to talk with me. Let me carry them, then I promise I’ll leave if you want me to.” He starts towards the dorm entrance, without waiting for my reply. I start after him, eventually stepping in front, to lead the way.
Inside my room he empties the groceries out on the kitchen counter. I take the items and start putting them away. I’m acutely aware of his presence. My back is to him, but I can feel his gaze on me. I busy myself making a coffee, offering him one without turning round. Which he accepts. Yeah, I had a feeling he wouldn't leave, like he said.
Coffees made; I turn back to find him looking around my room. There’s not much to see, to be honest. No personal touches as I’ve not had the chance yet. Apart from the tiara he gave me at the party, which I’ve propped up on my bedside drawers.
He stops when he sees the pj’s I left on my bed earlier. Lifting the top up he turns to me, smiling. “Princess?”
I shrug, well aware that I’m blushing.
Wordlessly, he walks towards me, taking the coffees and placing them back in the kitchen. He takes my hand and leads me to sit on the bed with him. He sits with his back against the wall.
Removing my boots, I take my place, sitting with my legs tucked underneath me, a distance away. Biting my lip, I look down at my hands.
“Luna”. He takes hold of one of my hands, squeezing slightly. “I remember you, from before.” My eyes move to look at him, not sure what he means. “I remember saving you from drowning. Can you remember in surf lessons when you fell off your board?”
“Yeah, Ricki saved me.” I whisper, confused.
“Luna, I’m Ricki. I mean yeah, you know me as Toby now, but back then I went by Ricki.” He applies more pressure on my hand, squeezing a bit harder.
“Why? I don’t understand. Why change your name?” I’m really confused now.
He laughs. “My name is actually Tobias Rickson. When I was younger people called me Ricki. As I got older, they just started calling me Toby instead.”
Well damn! I can’t believe it’s Ricki from years ago. God, I really liked him back then, he was kind to me. One of the only kids who ever were. And trust me, when you’ve had the life I’ve had, you remember all the nice ones.
“I don’t remember your eyes being so distinctive.” I add, because surely, I would have remembered those.
“Yeah, I will have been wearing shades. I wore them all the time. All the cool kids did.” He adds, laughing. He looks a bit sheepish at me. “Look Luna, I get the feeling you don’t want to talk about Dante.” I start pulling my hand away, I can’t have this conversation. He holds on tight though, not letting me go.
“I’m sorry. Look, I won’t mention him again. Just, I want you to know that I want to be your friend. I’m here for you, whenever you want. Okay?” He holds his arms out to me. “Now can I have a hug with my surfer girl?”
I laugh, remembering him calling me that. I hesitate, looking at his outstretched arms. Slowly, I slide across the bed and fold myself into him. I’m actually sat on his lap, with my head tucked under his chin. He folds his arms around me, holding me tight.
We stay that way for a while. It feels really good, his arms around me. We’ve not spoken for ages, but I’m content just staying like this, listening to his heart
beating. After a while Toby’s breathing evens out. I can hear little, tiny snores! Oh my God, he’s gone to sleep.
I try to pull out of his arms, but he holds on tight, pulling me down so we’re laid on the bed. He moves around so he’s laid behind, spooning me, his arm is around me with his hand flat on my stomach. A few moments later I hear his small snores start up again. I have a moment of panic, then decide it feels so right, what the hell. I close my eyes and drift off.
I open my eyes, aware that I’m still wrapped in Toby’s embrace, him spooning me from behind. I daren’t move, unsure if he’s awake yet.
He pulls me to him tighter, answering that for me! “Luna, you awake?” He whispers. His fingers stroke my stomach, over my top, in small movements.
“Yeah. I just woke up. Do you need to go now?” I want to stay like this a bit longer.
“No, unless you want me to.” He answers, hesitantly. I don’t answer for ages, unsure what to say. I don’t know him enough to find myself in this position with him, but I’m confused because being in his arms just feels so right. So I just shake my head instead.
“Toby?” I only feel brave enough to talk because I’m facing away from him.
“Yeah?”
“Do you know what happened to me? Where I’ve been for the past 5 years?” I hold my breath.
“I know that you were in a boarding school abroad.”
“Okay, that’s true.” We are both quiet for a few minutes, I think that’s the end of that conversation.
“Luna? Why did you go abroad? Why not stay here?”
Huh! He obviously doesn’t know what happened. I have a mental argument with myself over whether I let myself open up to him or not. Turning to face him I see a look of pure concern in his eyes. I make my decision.
I explain it all to him, about my Nan, staying with the Wilders, the guardian, everything. Well, everything except the wrist slashing incident, that is. While I’m telling him my story, he brushes away my tears as they fall. He never interrupts, he just listens. When I’ve finished, he’s got unshed tears in his eyes too.
Damn, he’s cute. He pulls me closer, laying on his back and tucking me in to his side. He kisses the top of my head. “I’ve got you surfer girl; I won’t let you down. I wish I could have saved you.”
And you know what? I believe him. I really do.
◆◆◆
Chapter 7.
I wake up early, feeling, dare I say, happy? It's my birthday today, I am 18, but that's not the reason I'm feeling good, it's because of seeing Toby last night. It was just so nice to see him again. I’ve often thought about the boy who saved me, never dreaming I would meet him again.
We shared a frozen pizza before he left. We chatted and I found he’s a really funny guy, sensitive too.
He made me wear my tiara so he could take my picture. I was a bit embarrassed, but I did it. However, I nearly died when he said he was going to use it as his phone wallpaper.
I think he’s kidding; well, I hope he is! He also told me that he’s named me as Princess in his phone contacts! He couldn’t decide between that and surfer girl. He says he’s going to use both, just swap it around now and then.
I’m well aware it’s Thursday. That means I’ve not got long left until lessons will be starting. Meaning all the students will be returning in another week. I need to be out of here before then.
Sending a quick text to Prince to ask if he’s sorted out a new school, I switch to the Uber app and order a car. Credit cards are great!
I get showered and change into another new outfit. Today it’s a baby blue sundress that fastens with bows at the shoulders. It’s got a built-in bra so thankfully that will help keep my full D cups in place. I slip on my new chucks, in sparkly grey of course. Not forgetting my dressings, I add grey suede wrist cuffs. I leave my hair down, falling over my shoulders in soft waves.
Once seated in the car I give the driver my destination, sit back and relax. My phone pings about 5 minutes later.
Prince: Not sorted anything yet. Are you ok? What are you doing today?
Me: I’m ok. Not doing anything really, still laid in bed.
Ha! Why should I explain myself to him? Anyway, this is something I want to keep to myself. 3 dots appear to show him replying, then they go off. I put my phone away, watching the passing scenery instead.
I stand in front of my Nan’s home. Everything looks the same. I don’t know if it was sold since I left, I can’t see that any changes have been made to it though. It’s still the same quaint, 2 story beach house. Painted in light grey, with flowers in window boxes.
I walk up to the front door and ring the bell. No reply. I try again, but still no reply. I make my way through the side gate and up on to the back porch. I love it here; it faces the beach. There’s a swing seat which I sit on for old times’ sake, after knocking on the back door.
I’ve looked through the window and from what I can see, nothing has changed, at all. Everything is exactly as Nan left it. I sit on the swing for a bit, looking at the ocean. It must draw me to it because the next thing I know I’ve made my way through the garden, out of the gate and onto the beach.
Taking my chucks off I curl my toes in the sand. This is heaven! I have a bit of a paddle in the water, then lay back on the sand. Closing my eyes, I just lay there, taking in all the sounds that I’ve missed so much. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, just relaxing. I’m well aware that the sun is burning me though.
Getting to my feet I make my way back to Nan’s swing seat. Glimpsing up I catch sight of Dante’s treehouse at the edge of their garden, overlooking the ocean. I feel nothing but a sense of longing and emptiness inside. I tear my eyes away, forcing my mind not to wander. I can’t help wondering if Julie still lives there though, or even Dante and Colt!
But I won’t knock on the door, I’m too hurt that they ignored me for all these years. I settle onto the swing, my legs tucked up and laid on my side. There’s still Nan’s old patchwork cushion here so I pop it under my head and drift off to sleep.
◆◆◆
When I awaken the sun is just setting. I must have been asleep for hours! Sitting up I watch the glorious colors, marveling at how they change. It truly is a breath-taking sight.
Movement to my left catches my eye. Turning my head I am met with a pair of sparkling green eyes, set under a mop of messy dark blonde hair. My heart stills, it’s not quite sure what is happening.
I stay still, frozen in shock. Stood in the corner of the deck, to the left of me, is Colt. He’s leaning back against the railings, smoking a cigarette. I know it’s Colt, but boy has he changed.
He’s still astoundingly good looking but now, well, now he’s got a hardness about his face. Plus, he’s wearing all black - black t-shirt and black jeans, with his arms covered in dark ink. Neither of us speak a word, we just keep staring at each other.
He looks like a really bad guy, you know, if you didn’t know him. But I do know him, and I know that he’s everything good.
Eventually he throws away his cigarette and just stands there looking at me, then he holds his arms wide open. I jump off the swing and run clear into his arms. He lifts me up and my legs go around his waist and my arms around his neck, holding on tight. I start crying big fat tears, onto his shoulder. He just waits me out, holding me tightly and rubbing my back.
“Lune, stop crying, please Lune.” He says, soothingly.
I can’t speak, I just shake my head, sobbing. I must become heavy because he moves to sit on the swing, with me still wrapped around him. After a while, my tears stop, turning to little hiccups instead. I pull my head off his shoulder and sneak a peek at his face.
He turns to face me at the same time, and I’m shocked to see his gaze is full of anguish. “I missed you Lune,” he places a kiss on my forehead, “so damn much. Happy birthday.” He wipes away the remaining tears on my cheeks with his thumbs.
“I missed you too Colt, more then you will ever know. How did you remembe
r it's my birthday?” I lay with my head against his chest, stroking my fingers on the side of his neck.
"I remember everything about you." He mumbles.
“How did you know I was here?” I ask him, because that's a good question.
“I saw you, from next door.”
Oh, that makes sense, I suppose.
“How did you get here Lune? I mean, how are you here?”