Chapter Two

June 30, 2019

"Brooke!" Jay's calling for me, but I can hardly hear him. The water is surrounding me, reaching my chest. The waves are large enough to engulf me, but I'm moving with them. Beneath me, my legs are kicking to keep me afloat. My hair is flowing behind me with the waves, loose and free. Just like me. The crashing waves are the only sound I can hear. It's so calm and peaceful, practically perfect.

"Brooklyn!" His voice breaks my peace as he calls out to me..

"What?!" I call back, turning to face him.

"Don't leave me, I'll get lonely" he replied.

"As if" I answer, rolling my eyes.

"Aye! Don't roll your eyes at me," Jay counters, putting his hand on his hip and faking a hair flip. Mocking me, as always. I roll my eyes again just to annoy him.

"Come out into the water with me if you're so lonely then, idiot" I respond, turning back around. My long hair slapped my bare back and shoulders, coiling itself around my neck. I begin to swim further out, my arms reaching further with each stroke. With a turn of my head, I confirm that Jay's on his way out.

Took him long enough.

"Wait for me, shortie!" He calls out, only about 20 meters behind me now. I turn to face him again, then meet his eyes. The moment I do, everything else disappears. I forget how to speak, I can't think, my mouth dries up.

His gray eyes stand out, even this far away. His dark, unruly hair falls wherever it wants. His light skin, thick eyelashes, sharp jawline. The way his eyes sparkle when he smiles at me, the two longer teeth he has, almost like fangs. The silver chain around his neck. Everything about him is perfect. Finally, I remember to look away after staring just a moment too long.

"I'm not that short!" I roll my eyes. The response is late, but at least I don't stutter.

"Yeah right, Mrs. 5 '1" He replies, smirking at me. Oh that stupid, perfect face, I can't decide if I want to punch it or kiss it. Maybe both.

"Mrs? Who am I married to" I ask, silently praying he says himself.

"Me, of course. Who else?" He responds, giving a light chuckle. His voice may be sarcastic, but those words mean everything to me.

He's only a few feet from me now. I can't think again. My heart is racing. My skin is longing for his touch.

"Ah, I was hoping you'd say James," Yet again, I take too long to respond. By the time I do answer, shades of crimson have already made their way onto my ears and face.

"My older brother? Gosh, you have horrible taste," He scoffs, chuckling again.

"You're twins!" Before I can stop it, a giggle escapes. Turning red again, I lift myself with a large wave.

"Yeah, and I'm the better one"

"Sure" More giggles escape.

"You're blushing, which means you must think the same." Jay teases.

"No way!" If it was possible, I turned even redder.

"Poor you, I always preferred June over you" My face fell as he mentioned my younger sister. The sand beneath my toes felt like it was caving in, I was drowning. It took everything in me not to let a tear fall. When I turn around to pull myself together, his arms come around my waist.

"Hey hey hey, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned her," He says quietly, pulling me into him. I turn again so I could bury my head in his chest as we slowly drift to shallower water.

"N-nobody mentions her anymore," I whisper, my voice shaking "It's like she was never even here," My voice cracks, a tear slipping from my eye. It's warm against my cheek as it falls.

"I know, I know…" Jay begins, his hand rubbing against my back slowly. It's warm, pressing me closer to him.

"I miss her so much," My voice is hardly a whisper.

"I know, I do too," his voice is soft, hands gentle.

Like a warm blanket on a cold night.

An umbrella in the pouring rain.

Safe.

Calm.

Reassuring.

Home.