For now.
Heather must sense my pain, because her knuckles softly glide against the skin on the back of my hand before she repositions hers so she’s able to entwine our fingers together once more. I have nothing to say, and that’s telling considering I’m always talking. So, all Icando is close my eyes and bask in the warmth of her touch, both of us now staring up into the glittering night sky.
A life like mine is somewhat of a lonely one, nothing to do but relive the same mundane day over and over again without so much as a changeup. So, when I found Heather—sawher that day—when the sun was perched high in the bright blue sky, and observed how absolutely stunning and awe-inspiring she was… I knew I had to have her.
Her beauty and aura was unmatched by anyone. None before her, and definitely nobody after. She was unlike any woman my eyes had ever laid eyes on before, and the moment my heart saw her… it knew. It knew she was the one. It knew she was a once in a lifetime chance at happiness, and still does… to this day… and always will.
Her soft voice interrupts my thoughts. “Do you know where they are?”
It’s only then that I lull my head to the side and face her. Our faces are so close it physically aches not to kiss her. “Who?”
Without missing a beat she looks at me. “The ones who hurt the person you loved.”
“I do.”
“Good,” she says, gently removing her hand from mine and slowly scrambling to her feet. I watch as she brushes any remaining lose dirt from her jeans and knitted sweater before she eventually holds out her hand down to me. “Come on.” She nods upwards. “Let’s go, Fall Out Boy.”
I snort at her new little insult, that’s actually kind of funny, and slap my hand into hers, allowing her to help me to my feet… even though I don’t need it. Wiping my hands clean, I ask, “I’m sorry, where are we going exactly?”
“To kill them,” she states so matter-of-factly it catches me off guard for a second.
“What?”
“Yeah.” She grins brightly, a hint of mischievousness about her, saying it as though this is an everyday occurrence for her. “I got some gasoline and a box of matches in the trunk of my car.” She tosses her thumb over her shoulder, then widens her eyes for added effect. “So gimme a boost, Linkin’ Park, and let’s go.”
“Are you ever going to stop calling me by very specific band names?” I ask, frowning playfully as I look down at her.
“Will you ever stop wearing black?”
“No.” I screw my face up because I can’t imagine myself in any other colour.
“Then… no.” Heather playfully taps my chest, her body so close to mine I can feel the heat radiating from her. “C’mon, the quicker we get out of here, the quicker those assholes die, so give me a boost.”
Imustbe crazy, because all I can manage to say is, “Alright, but we’ll need to take my bike.”
“Why?” She frowns. “What’s wrong with my car?”
I search her face, trying hard to think of some kind of excuse as to the real reason why I don’t want to get in her car.
“Well?” she presses further, and now I’m fully on the spot.
“Nothing. It’s just, uh—”
Just say it, Ricky.
“A little too… pink for someone like me to be in.” That’ll do. “I have an image to uphold, y’know?”
She thinks for a second then lifts one shoulder, accepting my explanation, and lifts her foot up. “Whatever, just get me out of here. We have places to go, people to murder.”
I smile as I cup both my hands and thread my fingers together, crouching slightly to move my cupped hands beneath her sneaker and hoist her up, watching as she delicately and expertly climbs out of the open grave.
“Just so you know, I’m going to get you back for scaring me earlier.” She chuckles as she turns around to look down at me still standing in the hole.
“You did,” I point out. “By pulling me into that dank hole with you.”
“That was only becauseyoustarted laughing.” I expect her to leave me down here while she runs off. Not that it would make much difference, because I would chase her to the ends of the Earth if I had to. But instead, she turns around and reaches down to me, helping to pull me out the best she can. “True payback” —she grunts as she helps me out— “will come when you least expect it.”
“I don’t doubt that, Princess.” I grin broadly as I stand to my full height next to her and brush the palms of my hands together, removing the fresh dirt there.
