The Water Lilie's

Hold on hope

The next morning, I woke up on the couch. I could hear the soft sounds of birds chirping outside and a bright ray of sun was creeping in through the curtains creating a soft, morning glow across the living room. I sat up and the smell of hot waffles and strawberries filled my nose.

I walked into the kitchen to see my grandma cooking breakfast, her long grey hair flowing down her back against her light purple dress. She turned around once she heard me walking over and gave me a soft smile, her crows feet brimming her dark green eyes. She was a beautiful woman, and even with age she was still striking- I can see where my mom gets her looks from.

"Morning grandma, it smells delicious in here," I said.

"Thank you, dear, hope you like waffles still?"

"More than anything!" I laughed.

We ate breakfast together in silence. It was a nice silence, and I surely needed the quiet after yesterdays occurrence. It gave me time to think. What I know, what I need to do.

I helped her clean up, and she gave me time to shower while she washed my clothes. Once I was all done she helped me rebandage my leg and get me back up on my crutches and out the door. She drove me back to Crystal beach, she didn't want me to go back but she knew that I had too. I gave her a quick peck on the cheek and thanked her for all she had done.

"It was good seeing you, I've missed you," I said before hopping out of the car.

"Be careful my dear." She said and gave me a bright smile before turning around and driving away down the dirt road.

I grabbed my crutches and held them under my arm, I ran as fast as I could, limping and wincing in pain but I couldn't wait to see Jack and my friends and tell them about what had happened.

I opened the cabin door and looked around to see no one there, except one boy in particular who was sound asleep in bed.

Jackson.

I quietly walked towards his bunk and made my way onto his bed softly enough not to wake him.

I rolled on my side to face him, his eyes still closed and he was in a deep sleep.

"I missed you," I whispered.

For some reason every inch of me needed to be close to him, I needed someone to hold me. Everything had been such a mess these last couple days and quite honestly he was who I needed the most right now

More than anything.

Maybe it was because he had saved my life just yesterday and that just made me realize how much I truly feel towards Jackson. He always listened to me and to my problems, he didn't judge me for having those crazy dreams and he helped me calm down, he held me and made me feel safe again whenever I needed it the most.

His eyes fluttered open and I hadn't realized I moved closer to him but I did.

"Emzy?" He whispered, his voice groggy still from his slumber. He looked at me surprised that I was back so soon.

"I'm back..." I gave him a reassuring smile.

He smiled back " I'm so happy to see you're alright, I haven't done anything since you left I've been so worried about you..." He inched closer to me, his hand brushing against mine.

"Jack, I'm so thankful for you. You saved my life." I stated.

"I couldn't have lived with myself if I didn't..." He put my hand in his and began rubbing his thumb back an forth on the top of my hand.

"Jack..." Before I could finish speaking I could feel his warm soft lips pressed against mine and his torso up against my body.

His lips against mine felt like that moment when your on a roller coaster and the cart climbs slowly up the lift to be top leaning you back as your stomach begins to get butterfly's and your heart begins to race rapidly and you start building up the strength to scream and you sit there wondering in those brief seconds if you can't turn around, if you can't hit the stop button and slide back down if you could at least stay in this spot for a little while longer.

I gasped as he removed his lips from mine and I breathed in all the air I forgot to breathe. He pulled me in close to him and hugged me.

"Emzy, I'm here for you okay. You don't have to fear anything, I'm always going to protect you." He whispered in my ear sending chills all the way down my spine.

"Jack... I-" He cut me off before I finished speaking, again.

Oh boy.

"Yesterday, all I could think is that I'll see you soon, I'll see you soon. I was holding on to hope. Hoping you were alright." He closed his eyes and looked away. " Seeing you like that, not breathing right in front of me it really opened up my eyes to how much I need you."

"Jackson, I've needed you for so long," I spoke softly and place my hand on his cheek turning him to face me. " So much is going on right now, and I'm going to sound absolutely crazy to you and all I need is you to be here for me, tell me it's gone be okay. You're the only person I want to talk to."

"Of course." He smiled at me. "Can I tell you something?"

"Yes..."

"I've liked you since the ninth grade." He laughed a little and gave me a small wink. " And another thing, Em.."

"Yes?"

"This is off topic but... Ms. Erendale has been going crazy about those Water Lillies. She thinks you got attacked by them and that's what hurt your leg not the sharp rocks. I think she's going absolutely bonkers."

"No Jackson, she's right." I sighed and quickly rolled out of the bed.

"What do you mean?" He asked and he stood out of bed too, his hair a mess and his eyes still tired and bloodshot.

"She's right, they're still here and I know what they want. But I need to figure out why Ms. Erendale is so obsessed with them but I have a fairly good idea. I just need some help."

"You've got to be kidding me?" He asked, "did you hit your head down there too?" He asked jokingly.

"I'm serious, I need you to believe me." I gave him a sad look as I held onto my necklace.

He walked toward me quickly pulling me into him and crashing his lips down against mine but rather softy, his left hand on my waist and the other tangled up in my messy red hair.

"Anything for you." He whispered against my lips, the softness of his words brushing against my skin made every inch of me tingle.

I couldn't get him involved in this mess but at least I knew when I needed him he'd be here waiting for me, supporting me and believing me.