Cheating Death

Vacation

Ava

Mom came home early and ran off Lily. I swear that woman hates her. The looks that she gives Lily is complete and utter disdain. I go to my room for a bit trying to get my thoughts off Azrail but the more I try to stop thinking of him the more what we were doing in the clearing crossed my mind.

My mom came into my room and just stood there looking around. After what seemed like forever she sighed and looked at me with a worried expression on her face for just a brief moment and then it was gone.

"Ava lets get away for a while. Just me and you."

"But I have school mom. I can't just leave."

"I have already cleared all of that with the school and they said you could do virtual for a while. I'm burnt out from working all the time and I just want a break. Please let's just go. I have a place in mind already, all I need is you to say yes."

I sit there with my mouth opening and closing like a fish trying to think of what to say. I want to stay. My friends are here and Azrail is here too. But mom never asks me for anything and I feel bad because she has been working an awful lot lately. I throw myself back on my bed and sighed really loudly causing my mom to giggle.

"Alright. I'll start packing a bag but I need to say goodbye to my friends please. I don't want them to worry about me while I'm gone."

"I guess that is reasonable. But I'm not telling you where we are going. It's a surprise!"

With that she leaves my room and shuts my door behind her. I groan and try to figure out what to say to Lily. She is going to ask where I'm going but I know mom will never give up a secret. That is the one trait that she is best at. I quickly pack a bag and put it in the car. Mom only gave me twenty minutes to say bye so we could get on the road. She said we have to hurry if we want to beat traffic.

I decide I'll text Lily later and instead I'll go to the little oasis for a few minutes to soak up the tranquil scent of the trees mixed with the water one last time for who knows how long. I love my mom but I'm not looking forward to being stuck in a house with her. I make my way to the water's edge and lay down with my eyes closed just enjoying the sounds of nature. I hear someone clearing their throat and I instantly know that it is Azrail. I lean up on my elbows and stare at him as he walks over to me and sits down beside me.

"Didn't expect to see you here but I can't say that I'm complaining." He smirks at me making my heart skip a beat at his charm.

"Yeah I came here for the last few minutes I have before I leave for who knows how long."

He stares at me for a brief moment and his eyes soften. He reaches towards me and lifted my chin up so I can look him in the eyes. There is an emotion there and I can't place what it is.

"Want to talk about it?" he asks me softly but I shake my head no.

He bends down until his face is just a few inches from mine causing my breath to catch in my throat. He comes forward and gently touches his lips to mine in the most passionate kiss. I kiss him back and he groans when I pull away.

"You're mean." he pouts and I laugh.

"I'm going to miss you Azrail. I know that we don't really talk much but I feel like we have whole conversations when we just look at each other."

"Yeah I feel the same way. But don't be sad. We can still see each other in our dreams." he wiggles his eyebrows at me making me giggle.

"Do you think that I would believe that I'm the girl you dream about Mr. Casanova?"

"What!? You wound me Ava." he says putting his hand to his chest acting offended.

I giggle again and he hugs me close. I breath in his scent unsure of when I will be this close to him again. The one person who took up for me and showed me that he cared about me.

"Oh you won't get rid of me that easily Ava." He laughed. "Until next time darling"

With that he helps me up and kisses my forehead before I walk back towards my house.

Mom is waiting by the car by the time I get back looking pissed but when she sees my tear stained face she softens a bit.

"You ready to go sweetheart?" She asks me softly.

"As ready as I'll ever be I guess." I say back feeling absolutely numb.

She nods her head and we both get in the car. Putting it in reverse we back out of the driveway and start what I can only describe as the longest ride of my life to a cabin in the woods. I swear I don't think we are in Vermont anymore just from the terrain. Mom looks around and takes a deep breath in and sighs as she turns to me.

"Welcome to Maine."