Chapter Two: Beautiful

I was able to feel my numb fingers and the blood rush in my body. I could feel the color wash back over my face, not that there was much to begin with. I must have been frozen stiff because this warm feeling was new to me.

I assumed a hand checking my wrist for a pulse and a heavy, unsteady breathing nearby. There was a dim light shining through my eye lids as I attempted to open them. I started to sitting up with a struggle as a hand pushed my shoulder back down.

“Whoa there, you shouldn’t move.” A deep voice started. “You were probably outside for almost two hours. I didn’t know if you were dead or just another drunk teenager.”

I struggled to put my eyes on focus as my hand reached out for balance. “I feel fine, thank you.” I explained. “I must have just fallen asleep. No harm done.” My body felt lighter but weak. I examined myself frantically, no bra or underwear!

“Be careful, lady.” The man said with a caution kneeling on one knee.

“What did you do to me? Where are my clothes?” I asked fiercely.

“Hey! Hey! I just saved your life. I didn’t do a damn thing to you!” He said as he backed away with both hands in front of him then left the room for a moment. I looked around trying to figure out where I was. I knew for sure I was safe but where?

“Here. They might be big but yours are soaked.”

I turned with my back to him to nervously dress myself. The fear overwhelmed me of just how much he saw. I noticed the smell of the lake and sighed with relief, at least I was still in the county. I sat down in silence fumbling with my fingers. There wasn’t anything I could say without being afraid the person would strike. I saw it was still dark, that meant I hadn’t been out for long.

He was a beautiful stranger, gray, maybe blue eyes and light brown hair, a little peach fuzz around the jaw line. I could only imagine how well my observation would work in a police report. I smirked at the thought. No, he was beautiful and looked harmless. I couldn’t help but stare often through the corner of my eye. He was staring into the flames of the fireplace that made his face glow. His gray t-shirt snug to his slender body and black slacks were a nice fit. I started to get nervous and fidgety. I cleared my throat finally.

“Ahem.” I started. “I think I should go home.” He didn’t even look up, not even a flinch. “Okay then…” I drifted off starting for the door.

“You can sleep here you know.” He was upright, looking at me when I turned around. “It’s getting pretty gusty out there.” He seemed nervous and scared. It was odd to hear his deep voice when I was conscious.

I started to speak but no words came out.

“It’s really no big deal.” He implied finally.

“Well, I guess. My father won’t miss me too much.” I smiled. I knew going home was the last place on my mind and I knew Thomas wouldn’t notice. “At least tell me your name.”

“Travis.” His face never cracked a smile.

“Emma.” I said plainly and stuck out my hand for his.

He looked at my hand with a raised brow and I pulled back. He went head of me to the room I suppose I was sleeping in.

The room looked out to the mountains and the lake. It felt homely and comfortable. I could hear Travis out in the main room, I wondered if I should keep him company or if he could bare it.

He seemed a little upset and I wondered if it was because of me. I didn’t do or say anything offense. He made me nervous, that’s all. His scent was breath taking, not drenched in cologne, his clothes were casual but presentable. Why did he care so much to take me in? He probably thought I was some rag doll who had no where to go, which was almost true. I laughed at myself. No. No, I can’t let my conscious win. I can’t submit to a stranger. That’s absurd! I pulled myself under the quilt calling it a night.





The air was quiet, too quiet. I stood up stretching while looking outside to the fog that blocked the view of the half frozen lake. I looked in the other bedroom whose door was wide open.

“Huh.” I muttered.

I looked in and around the cabin. He abandoned me. I started to feel the heat of embarrassment rise and I was angry at him, at myself. What the hell did I do to him? I went back in to grab my jacket and walked to the lake. It was beautiful, I couldn’t help but to stop. I had forgotten how it took away all my troubles. My mother had brought me here on the weekends when my father disappeared for days.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” A voice asked.

I jumped in my stance with my heart racing and beating out of my chest.

“Yeah, it’s something.” I said turning to see his face. “I used to come here every weekend as a kid with my mother.” I was still regaining myself from the scare.

“It's perfect for getaways.” Travis walked closer to my side with a look of ease in his eyes this time. He laughed, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.”

I nodded before I turned back to the lake. I crossed my arms before continuing. “I get scared easily. Where’d you go?” I was afraid to ask incase he bit my head off. “I figured you abandoned me or you just broke into the cabin for the night and decided to leave.”

He laughed, he was freaking laughing. I grimaced there wasn’t much amusement in it to me. His mood swings were annoying me.

“I didn’t break into the cabin it’s a family vacation spot. I’m renting it out for the winter.” Travis looked at me with his hands tucked in his pockets as his body stood back and forth on his heels. “I had to run some errands. I tried to be quick before you woke up but I guess I was expecting you to sleep in to regain your strength. I apologize.” He looked back out to the lake.

I couldn’t help but stare… stare in awe. I felt my face blush immensely. “It’s okay, I suppose.” My heart dropped when I realized his short stay. “Why such a short stay?”

“I’m on vacation away from the city life. I could use some nature every now and then.” He had a smile on his face that went up his right cheek.

“I should get home.” I started to say.

“Why did you leave anyway?” He had to ask.

I gritted my teeth to the memory. “Just wanted to have some alone time with my mother.”

“Oh, I’m sorry about your mother.” He had concern written in his eyebrows as they creased.

“It was three years ago. I’m coping.” I started walking without anymore words.

I turned around for a second to see him watching me. I disappeared up the hills, through the forest. I knew a short cut back to Huntingdon; it was all too familiar to me.

I regretted coming home to nothing. Ashley left a message saying that she was on the road and she’ll call me when she gets to New York. My father must have disappeared for a couple of days. I wondered where he went on those days. I shuttered to think of endless possibilities. My room was the way I left it last night, cold and empty. My thoughts were on Travis as I started the shower water and stripped down.

Would I see him again? Doubt it. Will I go looking for him? Probably when I least expect it. I shook my head as I wiped the condensation off the mirror to stare at myself.

“It’s officially the first day of loneliness.” I sighed with a peak of fear that I might break down as if breaking down last night wasn’t enough. I noticed my mother’s truck still in our garage. My grandparents had gotten it fixed after the accident, incase I wanted to drive it. It bought back painful memories but I was aching to get out to town. Stumbling around, I went in my desk drawer for the truck keys and grabbed my backpack.

Throwing my backpack in the passenger seat, I sat for a few minutes with both hands gripping the steering wheel. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, there wasn’t much to begin with. Driving through town, I figured I’ll just park the truck and go on foot. It’ll pass time slowly. I parked in a parking lot that didn’t have parking meters. I didn’t know how long I would be.

“Emma Gram!” A woman shouted out to me. I looked around trying to figure out who it was then I cringed.

“Mrs. Grove.” I smiled as nicely as I could, grinding my teeth a little. I waited as a heavy set woman came forward. She had thick black glasses that slid down her nose, a big flowery hat covering her dark hair, and a dress suit that made her butt look bigger. She was also the towns very own gossip columnist. She didn’t publish to paper but she got around faster.

“How are you, dear? How’s your father?” Mrs. Grove questioned.

“I am fine. I’m out of school for Turkey Day and my father is… fine.” I answered carefully picking my words. I wasn’t giving her the satisfaction of gossiping about my family. I wasn’t going to tell the truth of how my father was a no good excuse for a human. She was the first to tell the town about my mother’s passing.

“That’s good. Tell him I said hello!” Mrs. Grove beamed with enthusiasm. “I will. Thank you.” I walked away nonchalantly but quickly.

Realizing there wasn’t anywhere I wanted to go, I headed to the library. I could use a good book that would take up time. Little Women has always been my favorite to read. It told the story of girls growing into young women and how they fell in love and succeeded in life. I always compared myself to Jo March, the second oldest. She had a passion for writing as a successful career and she didn’t waste time with men or foolish love games. That was how I interpreted myself; striving for success and not fooling around.

Ashley tells me I’m too young to worry about careers and I should be all about love at this age. I don’t see the point in being a love sick girl, following a boy around like a shadow. It disgusted me to think so. I would offend her when I’d explain but I knew where I stood.