Page 30 of A Twist in Fate
“She seems sweet,” I say, petting her lightly.
“She is,” Lucas replies, as he pulls out an apple from the bucket and throws it further into the field. Chestnut follows it happily, trotting away. Both Twig and Teddy have run off further into the field walking around each other noisily. I spin around and take a moment to watch the changing sky.
“You look really beautiful tonight,” Lucas says leaning down to my ear, whispering ever so slightly. I feel his breath tingle across my neck and his arm slips effortlessly around my waist. My face grows arm at his touch. He pulls me closer into his side, placing a small, long kiss into my hair. “I really like being with you Ivy. I think you're the best person I've ever met." His voice is low, close to a whisper.
I turn towards him and say, “I really like being with you too.” This moment feels raw as if he knows every single detail about me. His face is perfectly in front of mine and if I tilt my head slightly, his lips would be on mine. I don't have another moment to think about it because he cups my cheek and pulls my lips to his.
This kiss is slower. Careful. Loving.
My heart's still beating rapidly as his hand moves down, brushing my shoulders, arms and sitting on my waist tightly. At this moment I don't think I have ever felt so happy, so comfortable and I don't want to lose it. I love it. I think I might love h-
My thought is cut off by a voice that pulls me apart from Lucas, nerves radiating as I realise who it is.
“What the actual fuck.” Bailey stands outside, watching us with a shocked and hurt expression on her face and I feel my heart break. Pain radiates throughout me and before she can say a word, tears prickle my eyes. My heart races and I instantly start walking over to her, stuttering over my words.
“Bailey. No. This doesn't- this is not what it looks like." I scramble to collect my thoughts, my hands shaking. This was it. The moment is the one I was trying to avoid this entire time. I knew it would only hurt her and right now, in this moment, I wish I was wrong but I'm clearly not.
“What is going on?” Mrs Miller says, walking out the open door but as soon as her eyes land on us, it seems she knows exactly what was going on.
“You want to know what's going on? My brother and best friend are making out and who knows how long theyhave been?You.” She points at me striding over to us. “You swore to me there was nothing going on! I asked you weeks ago and don't even try to tell me that this is a onetime thing because I heardeverything." We are both breathing heavily. Her in anger, me in sadness. I try to say anything. A single word to make this better but I feel as if I can't breathe as tears cloud my vision. She switches her attention over to Lucas, storming over to him.
“I told you, the day we got here, that she was off limits. She was my first real friend after Dad died, which you told her by the way, and you had no right to! Did you have to ruin this one summer I had with her?” She steps back for a moment, taking a deep breath. “You two can drive home, alone. Mom will take me because I would rather walk than be in a confined space with either one of you right now.”
She walks away slowly, and Mrs Miller goes to follow her, but she stops for a moment and says, “It will be okay. She will come around as she always does. I will also leave some cookies for you in the car.” And then they are both gone.
Without giving it another second, Lucas walks in my direction, wrapping his arms around me tightly, and when he does, I finally let the tears flow. I let out all of my pentup emotion. Everything about Bailey being mad, the thought of leaving and the way I lied to my best friend for far too long leaves me. Sobs wrack through my body and Lucas smooths over my hair, pressing kisses to it. In between them he says something in my ear to reassure me, but I don't hear it, my thoughts are too loud, echoing around my ears.
Laying in my room only a couple hours later, my mind and body both feel numb. Lucas offered to stay with me, and I refused but now I think I need the comfort that he always brings me. I am so physically and emotionally exhausted, but I don't think I could sleep a single minute no matter how hard I try.I am haunted by the memories of my day.
My body shivers, tightly wrapped up in my blanket, almost suffocating me. My breathing is not ragged anymore but I wonder if that just means I'm not breathing at all. The weight on my chest feels as though it's crushing my lungs. How did I let this happen? How could I ruin this perfect summer? A slight knock from the door pullsme from my thoughts and I lift my head up in the darkness as the door opens.
“Darling?” Lucas’ voice says, and I feel relieved he came back. “Are you awake?” I nod and I am not sure if he can see it but, nevertheless, he continues. “I'm sorry. I know you said not to stay with you tonight but I'm not letting you be alone, not right now. This is entirely my fault, I shouldn't have kissed you.” He sits on my bed and as he does, I pull him down onto the mattress. I wrap my arms around him, holding him as if he were a teddy bear. His body hums with laughter as he slips his arms around my waist and buries his head into my neck. “Are you sure you don't want me to hold you right now?”
I shake my head and only hold him tighter towards me, one hand slipping into his hair, twirling it around my fingers.
“Okay, sunshine. I promise this will all be okay.”
And I believe him because I trust him. He has shown me a new type of connection. Love.
I love him.
With my entire heart.
CHAPTER 17
Ivy
Song 17
Birds of a feather – Billie Eilish
30/07
After a few hours of sleep, I wake up to the rustle of Lucas leaving, once again. My eyes sting, and my head is pounding after barely sleeping last night. I stir in his arms and try to hold him down to stay with me.
“Ivy, I have to leave. My sister cannot see me leave your room. It will only make things worse.” It feels as if the events of yesterday hit me all at once, as if I am experiencing them all over again.
I groan sitting up as he pulls himself out of the bed. “Do you think she will ever talk to me again? I just can't believe I messed it up.” He takes my head in his hands, pecking my lips lightly.
