Chapter 6 - A Hand To Hold

Chapter 6:

I woke up this morning to Johnathan flinging open the curtains and being punched in the face with light. I remember asking: "What time is it?" before looking at the clock on the wall. I opened my little galaxy s4 active to see if Luke called and there was only one missed call from mom. She didn't leave a voicemail, so I didn't call her back. I'll call her later if she doesn't call me back first. I pulled on my trusty old converses and padded my way to the bathroom. I look in the mirror and see Johnathan standing behind me in the mirror. His brow was knit with worry, but he smiled anyway. "Hi." I saw his mouth form the word but all I heard was the rushing of blood in my ears. I tried to ask him why he was in my bathroom when he has his own. In response Johnathan opened his mouth wide and the sound of crunching metal was all I heard. His eyes began to glow like headlights. He then began to walk from the tub where he was standing then sped up suddenly. I backed into the counter preparing myself for the imminent crash of his body into mine. "NOOOOO!"

"Jackie!" Johnathan yelled as he shook me awake. I opened my eyes to see his green lakes.

"I'm awake," I say apologetically. "I had another dream..."

"I figured. You talk in your sleep by the way." I blushed at this because I knew it was true.

"It didn't bother you much, did it?"

"No, it actually helped me understand the nature of you dreams some." He said knowingly. "That wasn't the first nightmare last night. I only woke you from this one because you were screaming again."

"Oh," This was also true but in between the nightmares, there was another dream. Needless to say, I was definitely talking during that one.

"Close your eyes." He told me.

"Why?"

"That is a surprise."

He took my hand and led me to another room downstairs. "No peeking." I heard him say somewhere in front of me. "I just have to move this..." I hear Johnathan mumble to himself. I felt his large, warm hands on my shoulders, leading me further into the room. Anxious to see the surprise, I tried to squint and peek, but I was caught. "I said no peeking!" he says lightly.

"Okay, now look." He said as I opened my eyes.

"Wow." I say involuntarily, "I've been here before."

"I know. I found a picture that you dropped and remade the room." He said to me and handing back my picture.

"I thought I lost this! You, had it?"

"I did. I wanted to do something nice for you."

"I- thank you, I don't know what to say..." my voice cracked and trailed away. I looked down with tears trailing down my face.

"You don't need to say anything okay?" He lifted my face, his thumb on my chin. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's just- it's," I took a stuttering deep breath, avoiding the watery green eyes of his. "This is the last place- the last place my family and I were together. Mom, Dad, Luke, Devin, and me."

"I didn't know that." He said then paused for a second before pulling me into his strong and capable arms. At first, I didn't move, then, I wrapped my arms around his waist and accepting his hug. I couldn't stop the flow of tears falling from my eyes. He rested his chin on the top of my head and stroked my hair which was strangely calming. "Thank you." I whisper to him. At some point we ended up kneeling on the floor, still hugging.

"Jackie?"

"Hmm?"

"Look at me for a sec?"

I looked into those water-green eyes and see his face inching towards my own. I bit my bottom lip on the inside, anticipating contact. Our arms still around each other, I slowly inch my face towards his and close my eyes. I feel my heart stop and then quicken. Johnathan's arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. His lips brushed mine. He kissed me, slowly at first. His lips warm on my own. I slid my hands slowly up this back feeling his shoulders relax as I do. I kiss him back a little more urgently, he responded by pulling me as close as he can to his chest, placing his hand on the side of my neck with his fingers around the back. He moved to kissing my cheeks and my eye lids. Then, moving to my jaw. Finally, back to my lips. He pulled away first. I opened my eyes slowly, peering into Johnathan's eyes, he is smiling.

"I missed you." He says to me. "Jaqualine Richards, will you go on a proper date with me?"

"Of course, I will." I say then I smirk, "I count the cliff and Sea Blue by the way."