Chapter Twenty Eight
1169 Words
Rose leans closer, eyes sparkling. "So, is he your type then?"
I shrug, glancing at the kitchen floor. "Maybe. He makes me laugh."
"Then go for it," she urges, hands on her hips. "Life's too short for 'maybes.'"
Her words settle in the air, electric with possibility.
The last day of the weekend, I sighed, not wanting it to be over.
"Ugh, why does today have to be Sunday?" I groan, flopping onto the couch beside Rose, who scrolls through her phone with an amused smile.
She glances up. "You know tomorrow's just another Monday, right?"
"Yeah, but today feels... different."
"Different how?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know. Like everything's actually starting to fall into place."
She nods, deep in thought. "You mean with Liam?"
"Exactly. It's a little nerve-wracking."
Rose nudges me playfully. "You like him, admit it."
"Maybe I do," I grin. "But what if he disappears like everyone else?"
"Then you chase him down," she insists, full of confident mischief.
"Chase? How do I chase a six-foot guy?"
"You use your charm. You're a force."
"Yeah? What if I trip and fall?"
"Then he'll catch you," she laughs.
I picture it, heart racing. "What if he already likes someone else?"
Rose rolls her eyes.
"What you up to today, you going to be ok with me going to Lyle's?" She inspects me closely.
"Of course! Just don't take too long. I want details when you get back," I say, nudging her shoulder.
Rose grins, adjusting her hair in the reflection of a nearby mirror. "Details? I don't kiss and tell, " she winks.
"Sure you don't. Just remember, I expect to hear all the juicy bits later," I tease, crossing my arms.
Rose smirks, a spark igniting in her eyes. "Oh, you'll get plenty. Just keep your phone on, okay?"
"Always," I reply, feeling a thrill of anticipation.
Rose heads out , and I find myself just looking out the window.
I think i have recovered enough to be able to go on a little run.
I grab my sneakers from the hall, excitement surging through me.
"Time for a little freedom!" I whisper to myself, slipping them on with determination.
As I step outside, the sun casts warm rays, illuminating the path ahead.
I head toward the familiar trail, the crunch of gravel beneath my feet.
The scent of pine fills the air, a sharp contrast to the late summer warmth.
"Mauve!" A voice breaks through my thoughts. I turn, spotting Liam jogging toward me, brow glistening. "Fancy a run?"
What the hell , i look like s**t, of all the people I bump into him.
"Uh, kind of a mess right now," I reply, brushing my hair back, self-conscious.
He laughs, eyes sparkling. "Looks like you just rolled out of bed. I like it."
I roll my eyes, heart racing. "Okay, fine. Let's go!"
We continue running up the path, and I need to stop for breath.
"Sorry," I say, catching my breath. "It's been a while, and I'm still getting back into it."
Liam grins, leaning against a nearby tree, his chest rising and falling with each breath.
"You're doing great. Just stay with me."
"I'll keep up," I hope.
I push off the tree, determination fueling my steps.
"Just focus on the trail."
Liam matches my pace effortlessly, glancing over occasionally, his grin infectious.
"This is more fun than running alone," I admit, my spirits lifting with each stride.
Liam chuckles, his breath steady as he keeps pace with me.
"Trust me, I don't mind the company."
We round a bend, the trees thickening around us, their shadows cool against our skin.
We stop next to a bench, I'm dripping, literally dripping with sweat, and lean forward, hands on my knees.
"Not quitting already, are you?" Liam teases, a playful glint in his eyes.
I laugh between breaths, "Just gathering strength for round two."
"Liam," I ask. "Have you ever come across any ruins in the woods?"
He raises an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.
"Ruins? Can't say I have. Why?"
I take a breath, excitement mixing with unease. "I think there's something hidden out there,"
"I'm sure it's nothing." he turns and looks away from me.
"Nothing? You haven't even seen it," I protest, crossing my arms defiantly.
Liam meets my gaze, expression shifting to intrigue. "Alright, what do you think's out there?"
"I don't know yet, but I plan to find out."
"I wouldn't go anywhere on your own out here, Mauve. It's not safe," he says with concern.
There is clearly something he's not telling me, but I don't dig.
"There's more to those woods than meets the eye, isn't there?" I press, searching his face for the truth.
"You could say that," Liam replies, his gaze drifting toward the dense trees, an unspoken tension hanging in the air. "Just be careful, okay?"
"Let's go," he takes off, running back on the trail.
I push off the ground, scrambling to keep up as he leads the way, my heart racing from the thrill.
"You alright back there?" he calls over his shoulder, a teasing grin dancing on his lips.
"Trying to catch my breath, but your long legs don't help!"
Liam laughs, glancing back. "Just hang on; we're almost there!"
We round a bend, the trees parting to reveal a sunlit glade, and I can't help but grin. "This place is amazing."
"Wait till you see it from the top," he says, nodding toward a rocky outcrop.
We reach the top and I collapse to the floor.
"You look like you just ran a marathon," Liam smirks, leaning against a tree.
"More like a sprint to survive," I gasp, catching my breath.
"Admire the view," he nods toward the sprawling valley below. "It makes the effort worth it."
"I used to come here all the time as a kid," he says, looking into the distance.
"Really? What did you do?" I lean closer, intrigued.
"Explored every corner, climbed every rock," he admits, a hint of nostalgia dancing in his eyes. "Always searching for hidden treasures."
"Did you ever find anything?" I ask, leaning in, curiosity bubbling.
Liam chuckles, his smile warm. "Just a lot of cool rocks and broken dreams. But every once in a while, something magical popped up."
"Like what?" I nudge, eager for details.
"s**t," I hear him mutter.
"Liam shifts his weight, his gaze distant.
"Once found a hidden cave behind the waterfall, filled with crystals that sparkled like stars."
"Sounds like a treasure hunt," I laugh, eyes wide with wonder.
"Yeah, but I never shared that with anyone."
I mean, it does sound magical, but I don't believe that's what he meant.
Why does it seem like everyone is hiding secrets in this town. Liam glances at me, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features.
"Yeah. Everyone's got a story buried deep, but nobody's willing to share."
He shrugs, shifting his gaze back to the valley. "Some things are better left undiscovered."
- Writer
