Page 15

AUTUMN

T he door opens but only after the sun rises, revealing Heath standing there but this time he isn’t wearing the mask. I can see his deviled look, shaggy black hair, and his blue eyes.

“You left.” I state, turning away. I shouldn’t let him know how bad that hurt but he can probably already tell.

“You needed to learn a lesson.” He closes the door and starts walking over to me. I feel him untie my legs and begin to rub a cold gel-like substance on my ankles. I look down at him seeing its just ointment. I let him finish without a word, then he uncuffs me and rubs the same gel on my wrists.

“Do you have to pee?”

“No.” I do but I’d rather hold it in until I’m back at my apartment.

“Then get up.” He demands and walks out the door.

I hope he takes me back; I just want to be alone in the comfort of my room.

I’m not quite sure why he chose this way to “punish” me, but I feel even used more and more broken than I did before.

I slowly push myself up and grab my shoes to walk out.

I stumble my way to the hall where Heath stands.

I walk past him and down the stairs, I just need to get in the car then I can go home.

“I want to go home.” I tell him, knowing he’s following me.

“No, I have to take you somewhere.”

“Like where? The graveyard to bury me?” I ask sarcastically, glancing at him. Heath opens the door for me, and I snatch it from him before he can close it. He goes around his truck and gets inside.

“No, not to bury you. You’ll like it.” He says as he turns on the ignition. So, we are going to the graveyard?

“Doubt it.” I mummer. I stay silent as he backs out and drives back into town.

I don’t bother to look for my phone because I know he has hidden somewhere most likely, and I don’t have the energy to even fight for it right now.

I didn’t sleep last night; I just looked around and daydreamed about being anywhere else but in that house.

I notice we start driving towards the old flower field that has the magnolia tree.

Our tree. It’s where we would meet after school because it was only down the road.

We would hang out there for hours until he had to go to his dad’s shop, and I went home.

Why would he bring me here?

Heath pulls up at the edge of the field and gets out. He goes to the back of his truck and grabs something before coming around. I don’t give him the chance, and I open my door before he can and jump out.

“Why did you do that?” He asks. I look up at him to see him visibly angry.

“Because I can. I’m upset with you.” I turn around, whipping my hair and heading for the tree.

“You know you're being a brat.”

“You’re used to it.”

He only chuckles and walks around me. I see now he has a blanket and picnic basket. Oh my…he’s not.

“You didn’t.” I stop walking as he puts the basket aside under the tree and lays out the blanket.

“You don’t want breakfast?” He asks, grabbing the basket as if nothing is wrong.

This is wrong. We shouldn’t be back here together having a picnic like we used to.

Like how our first date was. He was adamant about being the one to take me out first, but he didn’t have a lot of money, so I offered, and he rejected only to invite me here and a picnic was already set up.

It was a dream date.

“I know what you’re doing and it’s wrong.” I tell him.

“Why don’t you tell me how wrong it is as you sit down and eat.

” I roll my eyes. Fucking dickhead. Unfortunately, he’s my way home, he has my phone, my car and I’m very hungry so I sit.

Heath begins to take out a pack of strawberries, a little cheese wheel, mini toast, sandwiches, a bottle of apple juice, waffles, jam, and little cups of syrup.

He still eats his waffles with jam spread on them. I smile at the thought and grab a strawberry.

“Thanks.” I don’t like it but it’s still polite to say thank you.

“No problem, Freckles.”

“Don’t call me that. It’s too intimate.”

“Figured it wouldn’t bother you considering you’ve been in another relationship and probably have more nicknames.” He shrugs while spreading jam on his waffle.

“Cole never called me a nickname.” I admit. I found it weird at first then, I asked Cole why, but he said it simply wasn’t his thing, and I let it go. I figured it was something everyone wasn’t comfortable with.

“He’s dumb anyways, Freckles.” I laugh a little. Heath’s voice has become gentler and kinder like how he used to speak to me.

“Yeah, doesn’t change the fact I wasn’t enough.” I say. He lunges over and grabs my neck. I’m taken by surprise as he does this.

“ Never, ever say that again.” I openly stare back at him, surprised he’d even say something like that. “Do you understand?” Heath squeezes my throat. I nod in response.

“Words.”

“Yes, I understand.” Only then, does Heath release my neck and go back to his waffle. I spread syrup onto mine and pick it up, beginning to eat. I glance up at Heath noticing he’s fully calm now. I eat my waffle and then a couple strawberries.

“Where is my car?”

“Your apartment,” I don’t even bother to ask how he got it back there.

The food is really good. I still want to go home though.

Heath has stopped eating, now he’s just watching me eat. I reach to grab the juice, but he grabs it first and pulls out a glass. I wait watching him as he pours the juice and hands it to me.

“Thank you.” I whisper and take the glass. He nods and reaches back into the basket pulling out a box.

“Happy birthday.” Heath hands me the box.

“You didn’t have to.” I shake my head pushing it away, but he pushes it to me.

I take the small box and gulp down the rest of my juice preparing myself.

I slowly open the box, and it reveals a gold ring with the center stone being a big ruby.

Around it are little clusters of yellow diamonds shaped like flower petals. It’s a flower. It’s my dream ring.

“Why?” I look up at him. I always figured if I was to be receiving this, I’d be getting married.

“Planned to propose but you dumped me before Christmas.” He shrugs. I’ve always thought a Christmas proposal would be fantastic.

“Is this your way of doing it now?” He tilts his head. “What if I don’t want to marry you?” It’s a very confident thing to give a girl a ring randomly after, you just had her tied up and left. This feels very not thought through.

“Then too bad. I’ll keep coming back, scaring everyone else away, because I’ll always watch over you. You are mine whether you want to be or not. I’ll cherish you until I die and even after death, you’ll be mine.” I didn’t think he’d say that. I didn't think he’d say something so sweet. So perfect.

I take a few seconds to look him over. He’s staring me dead in the eyes, my green to his blue. He is fully confident, and I can see the admiration in his pupils that he had before. He means what he said.

I never pictured myself exactly getting back together with him. Not because I lost all feelings or because I don’t love him, but I figured he’d hate me too much. I guess he doesn’t. I slide the ring onto my ring finger and hand him the box back.

“We’ll have to date for a while before marrying.” I tell him and grab a strawberry.

“Whatever you want, Freckles.”

We arrive at my apartment around noon to find Maya cuddling up on the couch with DJ in a fluffy blanket. Both asleep. She must have been waiting for me and called him. “I should get her something.” I say. I’ll get her a coffee and her favorite donuts.

“We will get whatever you want after we shower.” Heath ushers me in my room.

“You know which one is mine?” I ask as he closes the door. He’s never been here so that’s odd.

“I stalked you. Who do you think left you flowers every week?” I always assumed Cole did. I turn around to him.

“You did that?”

“Yes, you like fresh flowers and always kept some in your room, so I figured you’d want some here.” My heart swells and I pull Heath into a hug. He is so incredibly sweet, and I can’t believe I took it for granted.

“What’s this for? You’re hugging me really tight.” I pull away unaware of how hard I was actually holding him.

“You’re just really sweet.” I tell him. Heath pulls me to him and kisses my forehead.

“Pick out some clothes, I’ll start the shower.” Heath walks into the bathroom and I go over to my dresser. I pull out a white lounge set that has little purple flowers all over it and take out matching panties too. “Water is hot.” Heath calls out.

I slip off my heels and toss them to the side.

Walking into the bathroom I see he already set out two large towels.

I place my clothes on the counter and brush my hair out then run a hair mask through it.

I need to refresh my hair. After the mask is on I undress, and pee; finally.

I wash my hands quickly, then grab my towel, and head to the shower.

I slip open the side of the curtain finding Heath already inside.

His body is fully drenched in water looking as if he’s oiled and glowing.

He’s gotten fitter, his abs are more prominent, almost staring at me and his arms hold much more bulk than before.

His shoulders are broad, and legs toned. He’s completely jacked now.

“Are you going to get in or just stand there and gawk at me?” He asks, I blush at the fact that I’ve been caught staring and slip in, closing the curtain behind me. I turn around facing the water and away from him. I wet my towel then grab my body wash placing it on the towel.