Words: 1202

I woke up in a dark room. The first thing I did was look at the time. 4:45 am. I felt a hand on mine and a few tears falling onto my fingertips every so often. I looked up and saw a dark figure, leaning their head onto the bed I was in. I could hear the sound of muffled crying.

"Zach?" I questioned. The figure looked up.

"Winter!" He quickly leaned over to me and hugged me.

"Oh my gosh I thought you died," he whispered into my ear. I wrapped my arms around him and smiled.

"You can't loose me that easily," he pulled away and climbed into bed next to me. He pulled the covers up to my shoulders and wrapped his arms around my small frame. I buried my head into his chest, begging for his warmth. I breathed in slowly and exhaled, just taking in this moment with Zach.

"You know, you were out for a couple of days," I pulled back, a surprised look on my face.

"What?" I questioned quietly, unsure if I heard him right.

"Winter, it's Saturday," he looked at me with a sad look. I looked away from his eyes.

"Oh," was all that came out of my mouth. I felt Zach kiss my head.

"I thought you died," I looked up at him. He looked into my eyes.

"I thought I lost you," he said, a small tear falling from his eye. I brought my hand up and wiped it away with my thumb, then rested my hand on his cheek.

"I would never leave you," I whispered. We looked into each other's eyes, no words being spoken. He leaned his forehead on mine and closed his eyes. I leaned up and gently placed my lips on his cheek. I pulled away and put my head back into his chest. I sighed and slowly drifted off.

"I packed your suitcase," I smiled, still closing my eyes.

"Thank you,"

"You're welcome," he yawned, causing me to laugh.

"You better get some sleep," I told him.

"Goodnight Winter,"

"Night Zach."

——time skip——

We'd just finished breakfast, as the five sitting at our table made conversation. Aster and Jasmine were talking about something they'd done yesterday and the three boys were talking about things only guys would understand.

"Hey Winter, how are you feeling?" Daniel asked me. I nodded and smiled genuinely. I haven't quite gotten comfortable enough yet to talk to the four. Maybe in the future. I did know that I was going to miss them a lot though. They made the last day I was awake a memorable one. I threw my trash away and walked over to Zach. I leaned over to his ear.

"I'm gonna be down by the river," he nodded, and continued to talk to Jack about a memory from when they toured together. 'I'll have to ask him about that later'. I walked down by the river bed and stood there, letting the sounds of the river calm my nerves. I closed my eyes and let my arms rest by my side. I let the peace flow through me for a few more minutes, until I felt arms snake around my waist and a head rest on my shoulder.

"Are you having fun without me?" I laughed and looked down.

"Yeah I am," he pulled away and I turned to him.

"Wow I'm offended," he said, putting his hand to his chest.

"Good," he just rolled his eyes and pulled me in for a hug. My hands rested on his chest as I looked into his eyes. He smiled down at me, his eyes glistening with happiness. I loved how his eyes showed his emotions. Whenever he was sad, his eyes turned almost a medium brown. Whenever he was happy, his eyes were a golden brown. And when he was angry or jealous, they would turn almost black. He let go of my waist and grabbed my hands. His smile was replaced by a small frown. His eyes turned that medium brown as he looked down.

"What's wrong?" I asked, concern taking over my features. He looked up at me.

"What's gonna happen after camp? Will we still be friends?" I looked down, my hands going lower on his torso, still intertwined with his.

"I don't know," I looked back up.

"I hope so," he smiled, putting his hands back on my waist.

"Me too," he leaned his forehead on mine.

"I really do," I pulled away, smiling. He unconsciously grabbed my hands with his, still looking into my eyes. No words were spoken. No sounds were heard, besides the running river.

"This past week with you has been amazing...and I don't want it to end," Zach confessed. I laughed slightly, looking down.

"But unfortunately it has come to an end," I let a frown take over the smile on my face. Zach lifted my head with his fingers.

"No it hasn't," I gave him a confused look.

"What are you talking about?"

"I made a promise to you. That I'd never leave you. And I keep my promises," I smiled. My eyes flicked between his eyes and his lips. He did the same and slowly grabbed my face with his hands. He slowly leaned in. Time seemed to move in slow motion. It felt like we were the only ones in the world. My eyes fully closed as his lips finally collided with mine. Our lips molded perfectly, they danced like the moons reflection on a rippling lake. I pulled away for air and looked down. My smile was so wide, I don't think I'll ever be able to wipe it off of my face. Zach's thumb rubbed against my cheek. His right hand traveled to the back of my head as his left one went around my waist. He pulled me in for a hug and I wrapped my hands around his torso, burying my head into his chest.

"Plus if we never speak again, I won't be able to do that," I laughed into his chest as he kissed the top of my head.

"Hey! Winter! Zach! They're loading up the buses!" I heard Jack yell. I looked up at Zach.

"Ride with me?" I questioned. He nodded, smiling.

"Of course."

—

After I had gotten on the bus to go home, I stared out the window. Zach sat next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"If you want to sleep, you can always lean on my shoulder," I laughed slightly.

"Zach I was out for a couple of days. I don't think I'm gonna be tired anytime soon," he laughed with me and leaned down, pulling his arm off of the chair. I leaned into him and kissed his cheek. I cuddled into his side and yawned. Zach looked at me and smiled.

"'Oh Zach I was out for a few days, why would I be tired?' Yeah says the girl that just yawned," he laughed, mocking what I said earlier, and put his arm around my shoulder. I leaned my head onto his shoulder and drifted off with new memories made and more to come.