-Violet-

I woke up in the sand.

And everything was aching.

I took in a deep breath and breathed James in.

A shiver wracked my body and James's arm tightened around me. The blanket around us didn't do us much justice. When I opened my eyes, I noticed it was still dark. James stirred, but didn't let me go. Even as my body ached to be stretched, I couldn't bear to move out of his arms.

It was hard for me to open up like I did to James last night. But as I was talking to him, it all came out so easily. He listened to me and he was there to comfort me. He's so caring and I have no idea how I found him.

Well, I do know obviously. Stumbling into my interview will never be forgotten. Just thinking about it now is making my cheeks burn.

Even in the small span of time we've spent together, it just feels like I've known him for years. Like he's been so close, just at the tips of my fingers. But he hasn't. He's here now though and that's all that matters.

James exhaled slowly and rubbed the side of my arm to warm me.

I tilted my head back and my eyes trained on his profile. "I think I found my favorite place." I whispered.

James chuckled softly and tightened his hold. He pressed a kiss to my forehead and touched his lips to my temple. "Nothing makes me happier."

I hugged myself to his side and tucked my head under his chin. "I just want to stay here all day."

"We can."

"I have school."

James snorted. "So do I. Let's skip today. Spend the whole day here."

I breathed a laugh. "That sounds absolutely amazing."

"It's a date then."

Why the hell not? "It's a date."

"Let's go inside because I'm freezing my ass off."

I laughed and rolled off of him to stand up. James stood too and picked the blanket up off the ground. I fluffed a hand through my hair, trying to knock out any sand. My pants were also covered and I did my best to brush off any of the sand before following James back up the stairs.

He opened the back door and let me slip in before him. He flipped on a few lights and I feel like my eyes have been opened again. "What time is it?" I asked.

James checked the watch on his wrist. "Barely four in the morning."

"Oh."

"You wouldn't make it in time for school anyway."

I nodded. "Can I send my mom a text? To let her know I'm okay?"

"Of course." He fished his phone from his front pocket and handed it to me.

All I did was tell her that I was with James and I'm okay, and that I'll be home in a few hours. Once she knows I'm with James, she'll probably throw a party. She talks about him all the time. In a good way of course. Once I sent the message, I handed James his phone back. "You wouldn't happen to have an extra tooth brush, would you?"

"Possibly in the guest bathroom." He jerked his head in the direction of the stairs. As he started walking, I followed him up. We walked down a long hallway and took a sharp left. He opened the door to what I'm assuming is the guest room and I continued to follow.

James flipped on a light switch and I stayed in the room while he walked into the bathroom. A minute later he came back with a plastic wrapped toothbrush. "Thank you." I smiled.

He nodded once. "Um, you can sleep in here if you want and I'll sleep in another room."

I narrowed my eyebrows. "Why would you sleep in another room?"

He raised a brow.

"I'd like you to sleep in the same room, James." I took a few steps closer to him and grabbed the side of his jacket, "And in the same bed, please."

James's lips curved into a small smile. "I guess my cuddling skills paid off."

"Yes, that's exactly what it was. Your cuddling skills."

"Are you bashing my cuddling skills?" James's smile turned into a crooked smirk.

"Never." I wiggled the toothbrush in my fingers, "Where would I be able to brush my teeth, Master?"

James rolled his eyes and laughed. "Follow me. We'll sleep in my room and I have a bathroom as well."

I followed James back down the hall, to the opposite side. He opened a door and turned on another light. The room lit up and I expected it to be different, since I was James's room. But it was the same color scheme as the rest of the house.

James showed me the bathroom and I walked in, closing the door behind me. It didn't take long to brush my teeth. Instead of leaving, I checked my reflection and pushed my glasses up. Expecting to look absolutely horrible, I didn't look as bad. I smoothed my palms down my hair in a sad attempt to tame my unruly waves.

My cheeks were red; my eyes were puffy from crying over Reese.

Again.

I swore to myself I'd never cry over him again. He didn't deserve it.

Shit happens and people change.

Remembering I was wearing a black tank top under my pale pink sweater, I pulled it over my head and sighed. As I was taking it off, sand had fallen out and I stifled a giggle. Oops.

I walked out of the bathroom and James was slipping off his jacket. "My mom would kick my ass and make you watch if she knew we were about to sleep in this bed covered in sand."

"How often does she come here?" I folded my sweater up and placed it on the chair of a writer's desk.

"She hasn't been here in three years."

"I think we're safe for now." I grinned and kicked my shoes off.

"Do you have a side preference?" He asked, pulling the comforter down.

"The middle."

He raised a brow. "Then we're going to fight."

"Or we could just share. Didn't your parents teach you that sharing is caring?" I joked and slid under the blankets.

James looked down at me with a glint of amusement. "Some things I don't share."

"Like what?" I folded an arm under my head while James looked down at me.

"The main one is candy. Never share my candy. Not even with my sister. It's just a huge no for me."

A laugh tumbled from my lips. "Growing up with three brothers, we always had to share candy. But I never had a problem with sharing."

"I hope you don't share everything."

"What's it to you?" I grinned.

"A little amusement."

"I'm glad I amuse you then." I tried keeping my laugh in, but it came out anyway and my cheeks warmed.

James turned off the light and walked back to the bed. I felt him slip under the blankets and his arm brushed mine. "Big spoon or little spoon?" I randomly asked.

I heard James start laughing. "What?"

"Big spoon or little spoon?" I repeated.

He laughed again. "I don't know. Both? Is that an option?"

"I'll give it to you. But something you'll learn about me, and I don't care if it hurts your masculinity, I like to be the big spoon."

James started laughing so hard. Probably at the absurdity of this conversation. "I won't fight you on this."

"Good, because you'll lose." I started giggling so hard my eyes started to water. "I get weird past eleven. Ignore me."

The bed shifted on James's side and I felt his lips on my neck. "You're adorable."

He gathered me in his arms and I flipped on my side so my back was against his chest. He pulled me tighter into his embrace and I melted against him.

I've never felt so...secure in someone's arms.

Just something about James felt so safe and it was a feeling that covered me. It helped put my restless mind at ease and I closed my eyes. James kissed the delicate spot behind my ear and I released a sigh of contentment.

This is what security felt like.

* * *

After shaking out my sweater outside for the millionth time, I walked back inside to meet James. I pulled it over my head and sighed. "I think that's as good as I'm going to get it."

James snorted. "I could've loaned you a shirt."

I shook my head. "Thank you though. This will be fine. A little itchy, but fine."

It was a little past noon and we haven't been awake that long. James wanted to take a walk to the pier and I didn't object. He said it'll be like an impromptu first date. The date he wanted to take me on last night.

But I was excited for today.

The weather was beautiful and I'm alone with James. It really couldn't be anymore perfect than it is now.

James took my hand and we left the beach house. We past his car and started our trek to the pier. James said it was only about a mile from here, so walking wasn't a bad idea at all. Then we wouldn't have to worry about parking either. "Is Chaos okay by himself over night?" The thought just came to mind.

"He's never been alone over night, but I texted Meredith when I woke up. She'll check on him if she hasn't already."

"Oh, good." Poor Chaos probably thought James left him and destroyed everything. That's going to be a mess to go home to.

We reached the pier and James didn't waste any time tugging me onto it. I think he was just as excited as I was.

James's grip tightened on my hand, his fingers gripping between my own. "After this, I'll take you to lunch." He glanced at me, "And then we'll take one last walk on the beach before I take you home."

"I think I'd rather stay here." I teased and dragged him to the railing of the pier. "I'll probably get a lot from Gray after today." I wanted to laugh, but the thought of Gray worrying made my chest ache.

James braced himself on the rail and looked down at the water. "Is Reese the real reason why Gray doesn't like me?"

With reluctance, I nodded. "But everything with my dad is true. He remembers most of it, I don't. I've blocked it out. But sometimes I'll have nightmares about it. I'd never tell Gray that though. My mom's the only person that knows about the nightmares."

"I didn't know it was that bad." He said softly and gripped the rail.

"It's not anymore." I admitted, "I don't think about it anymore or at least I try not to. With my dad, it's different than Reese. But they both left and never came back. And instead of dwelling on it now, I look at it as an obstacle I overcame. Two minor bumps in the road. I didn't want someone in my life that didn't want to be in it. I'm just tired of people leaving." I shrugged, "I'm stronger today for my brothers and my mom. I'm with the people I want to be with."

"You're so strong, Violet." He whispered, "I look at my problems with my dad and want to laugh at myself because of how childish I feel."

There was a small tug on my heart. I faced him and moved his arm away from the railing so I could slip between him and the railing. My hands caressed his face and my eyes searched his own. "Your problems are not childish. Everyone has their own problems. Mine are no bigger than yours." I reached up and brushed a strand of dark hair from his forehead, "You're very strong, James." My lips tugged a little.

He pulled my hand from his cheek and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. "I'm so... crazy about you." He spoke slowly against my skin, his lips lingering on my hand.

My smile reached my ears. I leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "I'm glad I stumbled into that room."

James lifted his head, his face only inches from mine. With the way he's standing, the sun lit up his eyes, making them brighter than usual. Then he smiled and they brightened even more. "I'm really glad you did too." He slid a hand over my ear, letting his fingers weave through my hair. "Really glad." He leaned in close and bumped his nose against mine, "And I want you to know that I'm all in. With you, Violet. I'm all in."

And I knew he was telling the truth. I felt it. So I nodded quickly. "I'm all in."

He closed to space between our lips for a brief moment.

And then another moment.

James leaned his forehead against mine, his breath barely touching my lips.

And my stomach growled.

Talk about perfect timing.

James started laughing as he took a step back. My face turned red, I could feel my cheeks burning and James laughing wasn't helping. "Did that just happen?" I choked on my own laugh.

He nodded. "It did." Then he grabbed my hand again. "Guess I should've fed you sooner." He joked.

"Hey!" I said defensively and used my free hand to swat his arm playfully, "I'm like a Gremlin. Except all you have to do is kiss me and feed me."

James laughed again and of course kissed me. "Now the feed you part."

I breathed a laugh and only pecked his lips once more.

Ugh, it was never enough.

We walked off the pier and walked across the street to walk along the sidewalk. James pointed out different things and places he used to do when he was a kid here.

There was a small family restaurant residing on the edge of the street so we went in there. We were seated immediately and the waitress we got was an older lady with a huge smile. She took our drink orders and left to retrieve them.

James sat across from me and he leaned his head on his knuckles. "Isn't this better than school work?"

"Definitely." I took a sip of my drink and sat it back down, "But why is that even a question?"

His lips curved into a smile. "You're asking the right questions."

After we ate, James kept his word and we took one last walk on the beach. It was getting late and it was going to be even later by the time I got home. My mom knows James's number if she was worried and she hasn't called.

While we were eating, his mom and dad both called him. He didn't have to work today, but they needed him for something apparently. And of course Cristin had to call too, but he didn't answer that one. I probably would've grabbed the phone and threw it across the room.

Today has been one of the most peaceful days I've ever had.

Just everything about it was perfect.

We walked down the beach and I took my shoes off to feel the sand beneath my feet. The wind picked up and chills rose on my covered arms.

James's fingers were intertwined with mine as we ducked under the pier. He gave me a mischievous grin and backed me against one of the wooden posts holding up the pier. The water brushed over my bare feet, but I was too distracted by how close James was to me again.

"Thank you for today." I rested my head back against the post to look up at him, "I didn't know how much I needed this until now."

"I'm glad I could help." He placed a hand over my head to lean against the post and he grinned down at me, "I didn't know I needed this either. Well...I think I did know. Or at least a small part of me did."

I laughed and slid a hand to the back of his neck. "You're the perfect escape."

"Yeah?"

I nodded. "Most definitely."

He ducked his head to meet my lips. He kissed me tenderly and it felt like I was falling all over again.

Falling way too hard.

I pulled away and just wrapped my arms around his torso. He hugged me back without a second thought and secured his hold on me. He stroked the back of my head and just held me.

James pulled me under with him and this is exactly where I wanted to be.

* * *

James didn't drop me off at my house. He parked a few houses down in a driveway of a house that's been condemned for the past few months.

It was barely eight at night and the sky was starless.

James didn't bother turning the car off. "I'll see you Thursday." He said and gave me a heart-warming smile.

"I'll see you then." I leaned over the console and kissed his cheek, "Thanks again for today. It was really nice."

"Of course. Call me tomorrow."

"I will." I smiled, "See you later."

I climbed out of the car and started my small journey home. The lights in the house were on and I was surprised to see the car sitting in the driveway. I thought Gray was using it tonight because he's been working late.

Sighing, I opened up the front door and entered the house.

Usually the first thing I heard when I came home was SpongeBob's squeaky voice.

But it was quiet.

The first thing I noticed was Gray sitting on the couch, rubbing his eyes with his pointer and thumb. Nic was staring blankly at the wall and Blue was playing with his fingers. "What's wrong?" I dropped my bag beside the couch.

No one bothered to look up or even speak.

"Where's Mom? Is she at Mark's?"

Gray shook his head.

"Gray, where the hell is she?" My heart started racing and tears stung my eyes. "Gray!"

"She's in her room." He said bluntly, "Hasn't come out since she heard the news."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, but I still felt my arms shaking. "What news? What happened?"

"He's gone." He choked out.

"Who, Gray? Who's gone?"

He sucked in a shaky breath and finally looked at me. "Dad. He passed away this morning."

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I wasn't going to update today because I need to write more chapters, but after this one, I probably won't update until this weekend. I'm starting to get out of my slump now because I've been reading, I've binge watched the first season of iZombie, and this class I'm taking is super easy and not stressful BLESS. November is going to be a good month (Plus I turn 21 this month lol)

The next chapter will me an emotional one and it's probably the best chapter I've written, not my favorite, but my best I think and the one after too.

Please vote and comment, I really would like to hear your thoughts on the story so far! :)

Song: All or Nothing by State Champs (My favorite off the album tbh)