17: Carson’s Confession

I pull away and Carson relaxes. He pulls me into my room before Sasko can say anything and closes the door. I blink.

"Are you okay?"

He turns around.

"Are you?" He asks. I sigh and he shakes his head. He walks over and grabs my arms, looking into my eyes. "Don't die on me. Ever. I don't wanna lose you." He whispers. I blink.

"What?" I ask. He releases me and sits down, rubbing his temples. He looks up.

"I like you, Tay. I don't want anything happening to you. When Sasko was choking you...it was like he was choking me. I'm connected to you in some way. Just...be safe." He whispers, walking away. I plop on my bed and sigh. Great. Now Carson and my brother are gonna despise each other. I touch my neck and flinch. Just wait for the pain to go away. No more pain....go away...I fall asleep, with a massive headache.

I wake up to screeching.

"You really think I'd hurt her!?"

"Well I didn't so how did she get injured?!"

I open my eyes. Carson and Sasko are standing off, wings spread and glaring at each other. I open my eyes and scream. This pain...its excruciating. The boys go silent, as I gasp for air. My eye. It burns. Make it stop...make it go away...

A Gentle hand strokes my cheek. It's cool on my face, easing the burning. I open my eyes to see Carson, peering down at me. Even through how happy I wanna be to see him, I'm not. My face hurts, my family has been left behind, I don't know where my mom is, multiple people are trying to kill me...I smack his hand away and sit up, covering my eye. Pressing a damp washcloth to it, I storm outside. This wasn't here before. How did it get here? Who put it there? How? I screech in frustration and take off into the air, dropping the cloth. Suddenly, strong arms lock around my wait. It's Carson.

"Stop. It's okay." He whispers. I still, and turn towards him.

"What happened?" I whimper. He shakes his head.

"I don't know." He says, looking down at me. He strokes my cheek and brushes hair out of my eyes. "But I'm gonna find out. Whoever did this will pay, I promise." He says. I blink up at him and his eyes lock on mine.

"What?" I ask, noticing his stare. He blinks.

"Hold still." He says, softly. I stay perfectly still, as he tilts my chin up, and very gently presses his lips to mine. I blink. It's shocking, and affectionate. He pulls away, blushing, but his gaze stays on me. I don't look away, but instead I get lost in his beautiful eyes. He smirks, and I notice my hands are on his abs. I pull away as if he's burning hot and fly back a few feet. So this is what it feels like to actually care. You don't wanna lose them...you're empty when they're gone, like they are part of you...it's...happiness. I blink again, realizing I'm staring. He flys forwards, wrapping his arm around me so his fingertips lightly brushed my spine. I pull away, blushing fiercely and fly home, leaving Carson alone. I don't look back, but I feel the space between us pull at me like a rubber band. And when it reaches its limit, it's gonna lead me right back to him. But...maybe that's not such a bad thing.