It may have not been love, but it wassomething.
Mist hangs heavily, blurring the view of the island in front of me. We’re well into the rainy season, as the rain pelts down across the deck. I’m one of the only ones up here, allowing the warm rain to soak through my clothes and give me a sensation above nothing. With plenty of time before we need to prepare to dock, everyone else is hiding below deck, out of the rain. Even though it never lasts longer than ten minutes. I’m alone.
At least I thought I was, until someone sits next to me, a lace umbrella over their head.
“I thought I might find you sitting out here.”
Looking to the side, I find Mabel next tome. Her auburn curls barely contained in a low ponytail. I force my gaze back out to the misty air.
I hum a non committal noise, but apparently that isn’t enough to deter her from smiling and continuing.
“Amara’s been trying to pin you down since we left here, but you're avoiding her. So I thought, before we arrived, I’d talk to you.”
This time I grunt.
“Something happened with Tally, didn't it?” My gaze snaps to hers, where she’s still got the gentle smile gracing her face.
When I stay silent she continues. “I thought so. We were both rooting for the two of you. We noticed how you kept disappearing, but you seemed so happy. Then when we’re getting ready to leave, you just… seemed to fall apart.”
My head dips forward, chin hitting my chest and a deep sigh blows between my lips.
This is all too much. With the island looming in the distance and everything feeling so unresolved and raw. My current inability to feel anything other than anger. The trouble awaiting us when we dock.
“You fell in love with her, didn’t you?”
My head whips around like lightning. “What?”
“You fell in love with Tally.” She says again, slowly so I really take in every word.
I choke on thin air. Clearing my throat, I struggle out, “No. No, I didn’t.”
She hums. “Yeah, sorry. I’m not buying that. I know I haven’t known you all that long, but the way you’ve been acting– it’s obvious to see your heartbroken.”
I shake my head, denying what very well may be obvious to everyone, but me.
“Sometimes, it's not easy figuring out you're in love until it's too late. Especially if you've never been in love before.”
“I’ve been in love before.” I blurt out before I can stop myself. Mentally I wince; physically… I’m pretty sure I wince too.
Mabel’s eyes widen, into big aqua discs, before she lets a salacious look take over her features. “Oooo, who have you been in love with before?”
I shake my head. I can’t saywhoout loud, especially not to Mabel. The person who's currently dating the person my fractured heart belongs too.
Mabel just giggles, and gears up for another round of questions.
“Are they on this boat?” Whatever happens on my face must convince her as she nods again. “Okay, so they’re on this boat. Lower level?”
When her lips purse, she obviously has her answer. How she’s reading me so well, I don’t know. It’s concerning how she’s pulling answers from me, without me even saying a single word. Not even Amara can do that.
“Higher level then. Jude, maybe? By that face definitely not.”Did I pull a face?“Hmm, maybe Mary. No actually she’s too happy and bouncy for you. Charlotte?”
“How are you guessing my answers without me saying a word?” I question.
Her eyes glisten with a teasing quality, that has my hackles rising. “Oh it’s all in your eyes, just like with Amara when she doesn’t want to show anything outwardly.”
I try to keep the wince internal, but from her own wince, I know she sees it. Damn these stupid fractured walls.
“You think you’re in love with Amara?” Her brows crease, trying to put facts to the question.
