The darkness that I am cocooned in isn’t an evil one, for a change; it’s happy, and warm. The nightmares don’t visit me anymore and they don’t take over my mind. They’ve been gone for years already.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnGpGF0E1s
I’m not a broken girl anymore, either. I’ve gotten stronger.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9rSqMfJru
I am no longer the girl who pined after her best friend, hopelessly in love with the one person she couldn’t be with.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xNILC2gph
No, I’m whole. I’m happy.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuf6LJDlaR
And the best part?976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSHOPMcCUc
My best friend is now my fiancé. He and I have been together for the past three years, but we’ve known each other since we were born.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsPe55x3Vq
The day he told me he loved me turned my world upside down.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK2bWolYpN
The cutting came to a stop. The nightmares finally disappeared.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf78wk46U4J
The light took over, warming me up, lighting me on fire and spreading the happiness through my veins.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALbbzE1RbB
I’ve never felt better.
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I wake up to feather light kisses along my neck, and the morning sun splashing the room with golden warmth. It pokes at my eyelids, forcing them open.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB6R1pFZh8
I turn over, on to my side, and look at Ray, who has a small smile playing at his mouth.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89xmHRiVW6
“Good morning, beautiful,” he says, his voice still groggy from sleep.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYEmMs7HFY
“Morning,” I reply with a grin on my face. Ray wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to him. I run a hand through his brown hair, watching him watch me.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhLg0ulSpK
“Any plans for today?” I ask, snuggling up next to him, moving my hand to rest on his chest. His arms tighten around me, holding me closer.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kWzhvXBXK
“I was thinking of staying in bed. We’ve got a whole week to ourselves,” he murmurs into my neck. “How does that sound?” One of his hands travels up my back and plays with my hair.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslbNS5n30c
“As long as we go to the beach tomorrow, we can do whatever you feel like.” Ray smiles at me, and it lights up his whole face.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhypVMHFLiu
“Deal,” he whispers against my lips. My hands tangle in his hair, a small laugh escaping me. He then presses his lips to mine, and my eyes instantly close.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgekI7Yqngx
I kiss him back, moving my mouth against his. One of his hands cups my cheek, his touch warm and gentle. I lay back against the bed and Ray hovers above me, kissing me harder and passionately. He opens his mouth the tiniest bit and I breathe him in, my hands pulling him closer and closer. He’s suddenly gone and I’m lost, his lips no longer on mine. My eyes open slowly, and I watch Ray as he pulls off his shirt. His hand grips my waist and he’s kissing me again, fire flowing through my veins. I melt into him but the way he holds me keeps me from completely falling apart. His lips travel down my neck and I stop breathing. I watch as Ray bunches up my shirt and pushes it up my stomach, ever so slowly. I let out a small breath and he gently presses his lips to mine.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LbC4zWEQ4
“I love you,” he whispers to me. My heart explodes inside my chest and as I’m about to say it back, his lips capture mine in a passionate kiss once again. He is all I need to breathe.
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Warm, muscular arms wrap around my waist, and I lean back into Ray, away from the railing. I put my hands over his and close my eyes. He rests his head on my shoulder.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCK7zZwLKc
“What are you doing out here, hon?” he asks, his breath fanning my neck. The sun seems to glow brighter, and the sky turns a deeper shade of pink.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QiJhmkbXk
“Enjoying the view,” I reply. “It’s gorgeous out.” The breeze blows my hair away from my face.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCpW4NusPB
“Oh?” he kisses my neck, soft and light and warm. “Do you want to go for a walk?” My eyes flutter open and closed, and then finally decide to stay open. When the sound of a crashing wave reaches my ears, a wave of calm hits me, drenching me in a state of serenity. 976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX31Pa2pOT
“That sounds like a nice idea,” I say quietly. I hope he can hear me.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyVFsXGnV7
“Mmhmm,” Ray agrees. “We can also go out for dinner afterwards, if you’d like.” He slowly pulls away from the hug, taking my hand in his.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSKQlaFBm9
“I’d like that.” He pulls me along with him, through the balcony doors and back into the bedroom. I sit on the bed while Ray pulls on a pair of khaki shorts and throws on a dark green shirt, which brings out the little swirls of green that float around in his deep blue eyes. He notices that I haven’t yet moved.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmZoy8ig4W
“Aren’t you gonna change out of that tank top?” he asks. I shrug.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dWifFPbju
“I’m tired.” Ray gives me a look. “If you give me a minute, I’ll change into a sundress or something.” I lay back against the bed.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC9hykSEgX
“Fine,” he mumbles. I hear him shuffling around the room, and then something falls on my face. I lift it up, and strands of light blue fabric tickle my nose. I sit up, setting it on my lap and spreading it out. It’s the sundress that Ray bought me about a year ago.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRrLyWgWKE
I look up at him, an eyebrow raised.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8DQ6LwZG4
“Do you want to put it on or should I?” I ask him, putting the dress down next to me. His eyes widen the smallest bit. I laugh to myself. “Well?” I start pulling off my tank top, then stand up and tug at my shorts. I step out of them, kicking them to the side.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dkxfbxPAs
When I look back up, Ray has my dress. He bunches it up and then puts it over my head. I slip my arms through the straps and he pulls it down. He puts his hands on my waist, pulling me close to him. He kisses me gently, his lips warm and soft against mine.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBqTdg85tt
“Let’s go, Luce,” Ray whispers. I nod, slipping my hand into his, our fingers lacing together. We walk out the door and he locks it, shoving the keys into his pocket. The hallway stretches out, long and narrow, and ends with the double doors that are made of glass. Ray holds one of the doors open for me and I give him a small smile. I walk out and he follows me, tightening his grip on my hand. We make our way along the stone path that cuts through the short, green grass, and turn onto the beach trail. We walk in a comfortable silence, our hands swinging back and forth between us. The sun and the water grow closer and closer as we continue along the path that slowly turns into concrete. It dissolves into sand once we reach the beach, and it finds its way into my sandals. I stop and stare at the sun reflecting on the water.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV5BLTcddr
“It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?” I ask Ray as I move closer to him, wrapping my other arm around him and resting my head on his chest. The water is mesmerizing, and I can’t look away from it. The light dazzles me, sending me far away, into my head. Fog clouds my mind and the sun seems to dull, like a haze has been cast over it.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHiHnYXtcJ
There’s a ringing in my head, getting louder and louder and I feel pain along my arms.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d1waqBDXO
“Lucy, can you hear me?” Is Ray talking? “Are you awake?” The pain lasts a little longer, fading away into a dull throb, then it goes away all together.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNYAYc15qE
My head snaps up, the sun suddenly blinding me.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbqXRY9FaX
“Lucy, you alright?” I turn to look at Ray, who has concern and confusion swirling in his blue eyes.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyynhDBkWG8
“Yeah, I’m okay. Just got a little dizzy, is all.” I say. I blink once more, and then stand straight, my arm still around Ray. “Want to keep walking?” He still looks worried.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBXdT9FZUB
“Only if you’re up for it,” he replies.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO35fs4ngC
“I’m actually getting kind of hungry.” Ray laughs. “What?”976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanNMqL9IDT
“We’ll just walk to the cute little restaurant over there,” he points to a wooden deck boxed in with windows. It’s hard to see the inside because of the glare of the sun, but I can just make out moving figures. An idea pops in to my head, and I pull away from Ray, only holding his hand. A smile starts to form before I even get the words out.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGth8TT7fy
“Race ya there?” Ray smiles back.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOooBzL1NSt
“You’re gonna lose,” he says, chuckling. “Count of three?” I get ready to run.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi9yEmz1jo
“One,” I say, jumping from the anticipation.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3891NJyE9L
“Two,” Ray continues, looking ahead.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxfnGYDJfy
“Three!” I practically yell. I rush forward, against the sand and the wind and my dress. We’re right next to each other, and I go faster, trying to pass him. Ray laughs and picks up speed. He passes me, running farther and farther until he reaches the restaurant. It takes me a little longer to catch up to him.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU99ugLHOE
“You’re getting better, Luce,” he breathes out, his chest rising and falling from the run.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafNvCOgrvA
“Thanks,” I say, panting loudly, trying to catch my breath. Ray walks over to me and wraps an arm around my waist.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA77EoXD63
“I think we’ll walk in as soon as you calm down,” he says. I nod, my heartbeat finally going back to normal. “You ready?”976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvtFdrp8hL
“Yup.” I squeeze his hand, and then we walk up the wooden steps and into the restaurant. There are small blue lights hanging along the creases where the ceiling and walls meet, and there are tropical fish painted on the tables. The place is small, with a very intimate feeling. Ray pulls me a little closer, and leans down to whisper in my ear.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEPbgJRoWu
“I like the table in the corner over there, by the window,” he says. My eyes wander over to the table. It has an amazing view of the water, and there’s no RESERVED sign on it.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK0lrPuOSV
“Let’s got sit there, then.” We make our way over, weaving in between the other tables. Ray pulls out my chair for me, and waits for me to sit down. I kiss his cheek, and then sit on the chair. “Thank you.” He kisses the top of my head.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXonft0f47
“You’re very welcome,” he says, and then sits in the chair across from mine.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCon4PWcBW1
A waiter walks over a few seconds later with two menus, handing one to each of us.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacgkXM7GrG
“Thank you,” Ray and I say at the same time. The waiter nods, grinning.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMOcBtCVyb
“Just wave me over when you guys are ready to order,” he says to us. “If you have any questions, you’re more than welcome to ask.”976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OyuFH8RVf
“We’ll let you know, thank you,” Ray tells him. The waiter nods again and walks away, his hands hanging at his sides. I pick up my menu, quickly scanning over it.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiG5d9goSP
“Ray?” I look up at him, already prepared to ask the question in my head. He raises an eyebrow.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABtJhl2Psh
“Yes?” he leans forward.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpzmH8UAOm
“Can we please get sushi?” I practically beg him. “Just as an appetizer, even, for the both of us,” I continue, and Ray starts laughing.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpR4W2HqaK
“Of course!” he replies. “Is it okay if we get it without fish, though?” he asks me. “I just d-“976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaEYVUJ2xO
“…Don’t like fish.” I finish his sentence for him, smiling. “I don’t mind.”976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlYCLzqGWy
“Great! Thanks, Luce.” He pauses, his eyes fixed on me. I tilt my head in question, and then he continues. “Besides the sushi, what else would you like to eat?”976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPtGkCRQoc
“I don’t know…?” Ray gives me a funny look and my face goes red. “I haven’t thought about that yet…”
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I wake up before Ray, who is still sleeping peacefully next to me. I move carefully underneath his arm, and quietly get off the bed. I go through the duffel bag I brought along with me, that’s sitting on one of the chairs in the room. I take out two bathing suits, my black one-piece and my red, skull-patterned two-piece. Ray hasn’t seen either one yet, probably because we don’t have a pool or a beach near where we live.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDErXRxTmQ
I think I’m just going to wear the black one.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGmPWRWJ0t
I take out my long, strapless, colorful dress, which I love to wear when it’s windy out. It feels heavy since it’s so long, but the fabric is very light and flows in the direction of the breeze. It’s the perfect dress to wear today.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlso7zItAq
I change into my bathing suit, putting my hair up in a clip so it doesn’t get in the way.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kiPfFmeOh
Ray is still sleeping. Should I wake him?976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ9Mm77zzI
I walk over to him and sit on the bed beside him. I run my hand through his hair, across his cheek and neck and down his arm. I lean in and kiss his nose, cheeks, chin, and finally, his lips. He stirs, stretching his arms above his head and his face is scrunched up in the cutest expression. I laugh quietly. His eyes open slowly, zeroing in on mine.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrQ6gVhwQa
“Good afternoon, honey,” I say quietly to Ray, and then I kiss his cheek.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93w1tolbJo
“I’m up,” he mumbles. He runs a hand through his hair, making it messier.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxACNE0LQ5T
“You promised me that we’d go to the beach today,” I whisper against his lips.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtuIya719z
“I did, didn’t I?” he whispers back.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBaGqtZxa8
“Mmhmm.” I kiss him softly, pressing my lips lightly against his. “Now get out of bed and put on your bathing suit.” I jump off the bed, giggling when Ray groans.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshSpkyFdYP
I get a small beach bag ready, throwing in two towels, a water bottle and sunscreen while Ray pulls on his swim trunks and slips into his flip-flops. “Ready to go?” I ask him as soon as I finish, a bright smile on my face.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pVRo1xM1T
“Yup,” he replies, kissing me on the cheek as he passes me. He unlocks the door and holds it open for me. I walk out and he follows behind me, closing and locking the door behind him.
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“Let go of me!” I yell, laughing loudly, when Ray picks me up from behind and spins me around in the water. “Put me down!”976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnWE6Tg01K
“As you wish,” he murmurs next to my ear. My eyes widen.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1LBtNpCSH
“N-“ I’m falling from his arms, down into the cold water. “Ray!” I stand up and try to catch up to him as he walks away. Once I’m close enough, I jump on to his back and hold on tightly, catching him off balance. He tries to hold us both up but he falls, pulling me down along with him.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KEg96H9fa
“Not a smart idea, Lucy,” Ray says, laughing as we get up.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRDNPdvXvb
“I know,” I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck. His arms encircle my waist, and he pulls me closer. He leans down, and I can’t help but watch as a drop of water rolls down the side of his cheek, moving along his jaw and then falls. His eyes are so bright, so blue, and I can’t help but get lost in those deep oceans swirling around inside. He moves in closer and I can feel his breath against my cheek and my lips, and I close the remaining distance between us. He kisses me like I’m the most precious thing in the world, and he pulls me closer and crushes his lips to mine over and over again. I run my hands through his hair, standing on my toes to be able to kiss him better.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS0wDy5Dml
Ray pulls away from the kiss, breathing heavily. His eyes watch me, locked with mine so intensely that I can’t break free and I don’t ever want to. 976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcwTf1dnuZ
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers, and then he captures my lips in another frenzied kiss. “I love you so much, Lucy.”976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczQTBEGTef
“I love you, too, Ray,” I quietly reply. I kiss him softly, holding onto him and not wanting this moment to end.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkoS90r2ML
“Want to go back to the room? I don’t think all the people here appreciate the fact that we’re kissing,” Ray whispers next to my ear, his hands still resting on my hips.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYHBe8SGJM
“Sounds amazing to me,” I whisper back. I grab the bag and then slip my hand into Ray’s, squeezing it gently.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPlhJkbTjE
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Beep, beep, beep, beep…976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPqFFfcGEy
Lucy’s eyes open slowly, the light from the window making the white ceiling whiter and in turn, making her shiver. Her eyes instantly shut as an excruciating wave of pain crashes over her, weighing her down in the bed. Spots dance in her eyes.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrOQabeHhJ
Beep, beep, beep, beep…976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q0iV4xAct
Lucy takes a deep, shaky breath, and opens her eyes once again. She looks around her, taking in the white room with the hospital beds and a decorated curtain hanging a few feet away from her. She closes her eyes.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lC6uWrHD5
Wait, hospital beds?976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOwo7PKjNy
Lucy looks down at her scratched up arms, an IV in each one. The scratches are deep and long, going all the way around her arms. Memories start flooding back into her head, another and another, each one rougher than the last. She shakes her head and groans. She tries to get up but then she notices the sleeping figure in the chair next to her bed and she immediately stops.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQQB0nbBPG
It’s Ray. 976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XG8rsD0OY
One lone tears rolls down her cheek at her realization.976Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqWnNxEkuq
It was all just a dream.
