Love is a Dangerous Game

Lawrence, I'm a Siren (6)

"Lorelai!?"

“Nowhere near water.” I reminded him. He led me through miles of talk spacious trees.

“My treehouse.” He breathed. We began running up the steps of the treehouse from his childhood. “Don’t worry, my house is a few miles away from here. We’re safe now.” We sat in the corner of the small house. I held my cloak closer to me, never letting go of his hands.

“Lawrence, I’m dangerous. I shouldn't have even met with you that second day. I -”

“Lorelai, I’ve never found anyone quite like you. No one can decide who we get to be together. It’s up to us.”

“You don’t understand, Lawrence.” I said softly. Do I tell this boy I’m a monstrosity? Will he leave me? I’m not the one he was meant to find… right? “Lawrence… I’m - I’m a monster.” I looked into his eyes with intent. “I need to know I can trust you.”

“You can trust me, Lorelai.” I could see the slight fear in his eyes, but continued.

“Lawrence… I’m not who you think I am. I’m… I’m a siren. I belong to the ocean. She needs me in order to survive. I live with my aunt who is a siren as well. We are murderous monsters… but only when we transform.” I was so shameful. “I’m sorry.” I ducked my head, avoiding his eyes. Tears fell down my cheeks and I continued. “We aren’t immortal beings, but aren’t allowed to love. To live as humans do. You could say we’re prisoners of the ocean until death mercifully frees us. During our transformations, we live in the ocean… and feed her. She despises most humans, and attempts to teach us they are evil. But their not!” My voice rose. I finally looked into his eyes again, to find complete shock. I whispered, “Humans are loving, beautiful creatures. I’m sorry!” I let go of his hands slowly. “I should’ve never hurt you.” We stared.

“Lorelai… It’s okay. You won’t hurt me. If you’ll let me, I’ll love you despite your flaws until the day I die.” He repeated, “Anything is possible when It comes to love.”

I nearly smiled. “But Lawrence, I don’t want to hurt you. I can’t. I’ll never forgive myself.”

“You won’t hurt me. You and I are meant to be together, I know it! We’ll find a house on the outskirts of town.” He stood and grabbed my hands again, pulling me up with him. “During your transformations, You can live with your aunt, and return to me.”

“It’s not that easy, Lawrence.”

“You’re with me know, aren’t you?”

“Lawrence… If the ocean were to find out… She’d kill us both! It’s not that easy.”

“Well, I’m willing to risk it. Please, Lorelai. I can’t lose you.” I reached up and pulled him in for yet another kiss. I’ve never felt intensity so strong. So good. So… treacherous.

We broke apart slowly, reluctant to let go of each other. I leaned into him and mumbled into his ear softly, “If you’re willing to risk it… I’ll stay with you.” I tiptoed again, and looked up at him. I cupped his face with my hands and smiled. “I love you Lawrence. And spending our lives together is all I want.” I pulled him closer and we held each other in miraculous silence.

“Good morning.” A tender voice breathed into my ear. Then a tickling feeling made it’s way up my arm to my neck. I began swatting it away, and that’s when I recognized the voice. Lawrence. We had fallen asleep together, in the crook of his treehouse, and I suppose we covered ourselves using my cloak. We haven’t left each other’s side since our escape from the ocean’s grasp. I woke a little startled, forgetting I belonged to Lawrence now. Our love held us together, and protected us. The ocean was no longer my love… Lawrence was and would be forever.

“Lawrence.” I smiled. I turned my body into him, and mumbled into his chest, “What do we do now?”

He was playing with strands of my red hair and replied, “I take you to your proper home.”

“With your family? They won’t accept me.” I could feel the tears surfacing.

He made me look at him when he said sternly, “Lorelai, my father practically forgot about me. His own children, because of his depression. When he found my stepmother, he was more active and kind. I’m sure he will be pleased to know I’ve finally found someone. My sisters have always wanted a sister-in-law.” He assured me. “And when It comes to my stepmother… well, I don’t know.”

“That’s reassuring.” I said sarcastically.

“It will be fine.” He smiled and put his hand behind my head. He gazed into my eyes, and pecked my lips softly. “If you’ll let me, I want to make your life better than anything you could’ve asked for. So, please let me.”

I nodded. “I’ll meet your family. What about a place to live? Our future?” I gasped. “My aunt?”

“We’ll take one thing at a time. You could write your aunt, and inform her of our plans.”

“Lawrence, if I were to do that, I’d never see you again.” I squeezed him hard. “I can’t lose you now. You’re my last hope to any happiness.” He turned away. I put my hand on his chin, and lightly turned his gaze towards me again. “To any true love.” I sighed.

He huffed. “We’ll spend these four days together, and on the last day, you’ll write her. Until she writes you back, you’ll stay with me.”

“But -”

“It will all be okay, Lorelai. Let’s enjoy these days together, and only think of the moment… not the future.”

I nodded. “Okay.”