“Come here silly.” Eli chortled with a smile as he curled a finger giving me a come-hither motion.

I screwed up my nose “I don’t trust you.” I said watching him through narrowed calculating eyes “You’re going to break that paint bomb on me.” I murmured slowly my gaze never wavering.

We were out in my backyard trying out one of those quirky art tasks I loved to do on the weekends, it was just Eli and I and I was giddy with excitement. Eli loved the do these art tasks with me so it was no surprise he wanted to do this one with me. Getting down and dirty… my thoughts suddenly became dirty.

“I promise, wont.” He vowed a hand on his chest as he pulled the paint bomb behind his back “Anyway, where did you get this idea from?” he asked as he turned back to the large canvas I had just bought.

“Umm,” I blushed nervously running my fingers through my hair “from Princesses Diaries.” I admitted feeling slightly embarrassed, was he going to think I was little girl for saying that?

“I thought so.” he murmured with a smug smile for knowing me so well.

I rolled my eyes, the plan was we had a huge canvas with balloons full of paint – I chose neon colors – tapped to the top of the canvas and other places. Than we’d get darts and throw at the paint bombs to make them splatter and run down in rivers on the canvas. I was so utterly excited to try it; it looks so much fun and utterly stunning.

I narrowed my eyes on him as he took a step towards me “I still don’t trust you.”

He chuckled rolling his eyes “You’ve got something on your face; I was just trying to wipe it away.” He murmured taking another step as he put a hand on my hip gluing my body to his, my breath hitched and my body shuddered under his warm breath tickling my cheek.

“Oh.” I murmured stupidly, feeling breathless.

“Here.” He murmured his breath tickling my cheek as with the pad of his thumb he wiped at this apparent smudge on my nose. Why must he smell so delicious?

I had felt like we’d been here for hours on end and yet in the same moment like time had stood still. I watched as his hands moved – both this time – my breath catching and I reacted out of pure instincts. I’d grown up with a brother and this guy who used to see me as that annoying little girl of his best friend, the ones I was best friends with but also who used to tease me the next minute. I instantly thought he was going to smash that paint bomb he still held on the top of my head.

As quick as a whip I pulled the one up from my hands and smashed it down on the top of his head just as both of his hands had cupped my face and his leant in. Was he going to kiss me? I thought alarmed freaking out as paint soaked into his hair and dribbled down the side of his face, looking like I’d slapped him in the face. He went to kiss you and you smash a paint bomb on the top of his head! I berated myself ready to beat the liven shit out of myself and do some serious screaming.

I gave him an impish grin “I love you?”

        ೋღ♥ღೋೋღ♥ღೋೋღ♥ღೋೋღ♥ღೋೋღ♥ღೋೋღ♥ღೋ

“Mmmm, your bed is so comfy.” I murmured curling my face into his chest feeling like a smooching kitty.

“Don’t you mean me?” He chuckled, his fingers running up and down my spine lazily making me shudder under his touch.

“I’m stealing this bed, and you.” I mumbled wrapping my arms tighter around his torso, this was heaven.

“I’m pretty sure that’s stealing baby.” He murmured into the top of my hair, his warm hair tickling my flesh.

“Not if you like being held captive.” I mumbled with a Cherished Cat smile curling up at the corner of my lips.

Eli chuckled, his chuckle low and rusty, we’d after all been curled up in his bed lazing around all day watching movies, eating and feeding each other the best cupcakes ever made by his mum and even napping for a while. It was like a dreamlike day, I felt so lazy, dreamy and dizzy – like I was intoxicated. I’d never felt so carefree or relaxed in my entire life that I just wanted to snuggle down in his arms all day.

“Are there any cupcakes left?” Eli moaned patting around blindly.

I sat up a little straighter with a soft moan of protest, looking around I groaned as I found the cupcake smeared on my forearm right along to my elbow. Not even having the strength to care I let my body fall back into Eli’s body. I hit him hard and Eli grunted before groaning in agony as I most likely left him winded.

“Oh, sorry!” I hissed scampering to sit up as I looked down at him as his brow furrowed in agony “I’m sorry!” I cried louder in alarm as my hands flew around unsure how to help.

“It’s okay.” He moaned rubbing his chest.

“I’m sorry.” I moaned apologetically as I let my face fall into his chest, gently this time.

“It’s okay.” He reassured his voice a little tight as he ran his fingers through my hair and I wondered if it was soothing to him for me, he had a habit of playing with my hair absentmindedly.

“If it makes you feel better, I found the last cupcake.” I mumbled into his chest still feeling that pang of guilt.

“Yeah? I’ll halve it without.” He tried coaxing me running his fingers tauntingly down my spine making me shudder.

“Okay.” I mumbled pulling back “But it’s not very….pretty.” I mumbled reluctantly as I held my arm out to show him.

“Is that…” he trailed off staring at my arm in wonder.

“It was smooched.” I mumbled bitterly with a pout.

Eli startled me making me squeal as he leant forward and ran his tongue along my forearm, I stared down at him agape as my skin tingled “It still tastes the same.” He shrugged licking his lips.

I couldn’t deny how unbelievably sexy that was, he was licking a chocolate cupcake off my skin. What other places would he be willing to lick chocolate from? My eyes grew at that thought; I can’t believe I just thought that! Mortified and blushing scarlet I hid my face under my curtain of hair. What was more mortifying was the fact that I didn’t care in the slightest or regret those thoughts; instead rather I was trying to picture it all as the images made me squirm and burn.

“Where are you hiding pretty girl?” He murmured tenderly brushing the hair out of my face with those big large hands of his. God those hands!

“Nowhere.” I answered quickly keeping my eyes down on my fingers that were tugging on the sheets.

“Sure.” He sang not believing me for a second, not that I could blame him “What’s going through that pretty little mind of yours?” he asked softly almost teasingly as if he knew that I was thinking dirty thoughts.

“Nothing.” I tried again, my voice a guilty whine.

“C’mon tell me!” he insisted pulling me closer.

“There’s nothing to tell!” I cried blushing only darker as I caught sight of part of the chocolate icing from the cupcake on the corner of his lips.

“Look at you, you’re blushing!” he cried chuckling in amusement “C’mon, what were you thinking? Was it something naughty?” he taunted me, edging me on.

“No!” I cried quickly, my voice guilty.

“Oh it so is! Wha-“ his voice stopped at the sound of his phone’s ringtone going off. Frowning and caught off guard he looked around “Where…is it?” he muttered to himself patting around looking for his phone.

I watched him in amusement as he patted around searchingly, looking like a lost little boy that made him the more adorable. The icing on the cake – or maybe I should say cupcake – was when his eyes lit up like it was Christmas day and he pulled his phone up in the air like it was some treasure he found. I giggled at him and he sent me a wink before answering.

“Hello?” he murmured into the phone.

I sighed softly content in this little bubble as I curled back into his chest letting myself fall back into his arms and my eyes fluttered shut. I wanted to curl right back into heaven but by the way this conversation was going on the phone I knew it was going to be all over soon. It better be good the selfish part of me that wanted to really keep Eli captive thought bitterly. God, was I going to turn into one of those possessive girlfriends? I didn’t answer my own question but that was because I was too busy smiling grandly at the reminder that I was Eli’s girlfriend.

“Hey baby?” he murmured startling me since I hadn’t even realized he was off the phone.

I looked up at him “Yes boyfriend?” I asked with a dreamy smile.

Eli’s grin grew at that “Boyfriend? Mmmm, I love that.” he murmured coiling a lock of my hair around my finger.

“Who was on the phone?” I asked smiling my fingers toying with his shirt.

“Your brother.” he answered startling me “He’s started the barbeque back home at yours, and Mel’s gone to the store to buy some booze, snacks and whatnot. We’re having a big barbeque tonight since your parents aren’t home tonight apparently.” He murmured.

My head shot up to look out the window “Is it dark already?” and sure enough the sun was set outside and it was a dark starry sky.

“Mmmm, but that nap was so worth it.” he murmured stretching his hands up behind his back with a moan.

“Totally worth it.” I smiled as I settled my chin on his chest to smile lovingly up at him before placing a kiss over his heart.

“C’mon cutie, let’s get over to yours before I take you captive.” He murmured tapping me on the nose before rolling over making me squeal and roll off him.

Getting up we grabbed our belongings getting easily distracted on many occasions – I blame that all on Eli for having to get changed – before we headed out. I screamed a goodbye to Karly – Eli’s mum – who I had a huge girlie gush with when I had first showed up and then we decided to make cupcakes kicking Eli out of the kitchen much to his displeasure.

Walking back home in the dark, hand in hand swinging down the street I couldn’t help but think back to the first time we were caught under the stars was when I was a little intoxicated and I had attacked Eli with my lips. The second time it was raining and a little terrified I had again attacked Eli with my lips. Now we were walking down the dark street attending our small little families party as a couple.

“I love you boyfriend.” I murmured swinging my hands up higher feeling like a giddy school girl coming home after falling in love for the very first time.

Eli chuckled softly as he spun me; I came back into his chest stopping as I frowned up at him softly tilting my head. I looked at him feeling suddenly confused, I didn’t know exactly what it was that made me confused, was it that he hadn’t said it back? Or was it because of that weak laugh and expression upon his face? But deep down I knew it was simply because I felt like I had been struck in the gut and that this bad gut feeling was reason enough to be terrified.

“W-what…” I stammered pausing to take a deep breath as my lower lip trembled “What’s wrong?”

“Hey now,” Eli cooed cupping my face tilting my chin up to look at me “nothing is wrong.” He promised to me trying to keep my dancing gaze that couldn’t keep locked on him.

“Yes there is.” I denied my eyes pooling with tears as my heart panged. Was he going to tell me we were over? Was it me calling him boyfriend? “It was the boyfriend part wasn’t it?” I cried my eyes pooling as my voice grew higher waiting for the hyperventilating to start.

“What? Oh god no!” he cried earnestly, his eyes growing in alarm before softening so much it was like watching chocolate melt

“Well than what was it?” I cried my voice breaking as a few tears slid free.

“Oh baby.” He sighed guilty as he pulled my fighting and resisting body into his clutches “I love you, I love you calling me boyfriend because you are my girlfriend.” He insisted holding my gaze as it blazed with intense sincerity.

“Really?” I choked looking up at him with big glistening puppy dog eyes.

Eli laughed under his breath stunned “Of course baby girl, I love you girlfriend.” He murmured as he sweet and gently wiped the tears out from under my lashes.

“You scared me boyfriend.” I mumbled sniffling into his chest as I hugged him tightly afraid he’d disappear.

“I’m sorry baby.” He murmured guilty in the top of my head the two of us locked in embrace in the middle of the street late after dusk.

“What was wrong than?” I asked hesitantly using the inside of my wrist to wipe the tears away as I looked up at him shyly.

“Are you still in love with him?” He asked suddenly and by the grimace on his face I knew it was something he didn’t want to actually ask out loud.

I gaped at him “With Jed?”

“No, I mean….well, yeah.” He murmured scratching the back of his neck nervously.

“Why would you think that?” I demanded with wide eyes, I couldn’t understand how on earth he could actually think that.

“Because I…” he trailed off sighing in frustration as he couldn’t find the words he was obviously seeking “Look baby, I know you’re with me but...yesterday when we went out for lunch after Liam and I told you girls about what we did…well you told me you felt guilty and I can’t help but wonder…” he trailed off his sentences trailing off and left unfinished.

“I don’t love Jed Eli, I swear.” I stressed, I needed him so desperately to know this. I couldn’t blame him for doubting me what with me breaking his heart, but I couldn’t earn his trust if he doubted where my heart laid.

“But you used to.” He said his voice still hedged with layers of uncertainty.

“I thought I used to.” I corrected him grabbing his face as I pressed his forehead to my own “I thought I knew what love was, and I thought I loved Jed.” I shot him a sympathetic glance as his nose crinkled “But that was until I met you boyfriend, I mean I’ve known you my entire life but when I really met you and I figured out that I lo-”

Eli’s lips smashed to my own crushing my lips in a toe curling kiss, my body searing as I curled into him. My fingers curled and knotted in his hair as I clashed his body tighter to him desperately, this kiss had burning passion racing right through me to my toes.  I needed this kiss, I needed it to feel him and to feel that love he held for me. Most importantly I needed this kiss I needed to make him feel that love I held for him.

He nibbled on my lower lip pulling on it as he rested his forehead to my own, I moaned softly as my eyes fluttered open feeling his burning gaze on me. His big beautiful eyes were like only centimeters away as we stood in the dark. I shuddered under the wind and his arms wrapped and flexed around me tighter trying to keep me warm, his hands rubbing my back and arm. He was such a sweetheart.

“I love you.” I whispered my hands moving from his hair to criss-cross over at his neck “I need you to believe that, because if you don’t…” I trailed off shaking my head “You just have to believe me.”

“I know you love me baby.” He murmured reassuringly brushing his lips across my lips “I just…worry that you also love him.”

“’Li.” I breathed feeling so sad and breathless at those words.

“I know, nothing sexier than an insecure boyfriend.” He muttered with a bitter laugh.

“You called yourself my boyfriend.” I whispered with a giddy smile making him smiled softly back at me. Running my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck “But let me tell you this,” I murmured lowly “there’s nothing a girl loves more than having any guy worrying and fighting for a girl’s entire love and heart. It makes us insecure girl feel wanted and needed.” I murmured honestly loving how his soft hair felt in my fingers.

“Well I need you so bad.” He husked against my suddenly claimed lips.

After one intense and major make out session that left my lips swollen and bruised and us panting breathless. I smiled softly as we continued on walking down the street hand in hand again in the night. It was silent this time but a content silence that left us in our own daydreams. Not to mention I was personally recovering from that heart scorching kiss that left me boneless. But mainly, I was left in my own world about what Eli had just said, I didn’t know Jed and I was certain but I was desperate to figure out a way to explain this misconception to Eli.

“I just feel guilty you know?” I suddenly murmured into the gentle breeze out tonight "I just feel guilty; he's probably all scared and alone because of me."

“No baby, because of him.” he stressed “He chose to do what he did – albeit the drugs probably played a part – but he chose to take them in the first place and he chose to do everything else he did.”

“I know that.” I agreed honestly looking up at him sadly “But if I had chosen to do things differently…” I trailed off wistfully “If I had just broken up with him earlier, or went straight to the cops or just something.”

“Pretty girl, you can’t live with what ifs, you chose to do what you did and imagine if you even did go straight to the cops, would he be offered the benefit of rehab or be straight behind bars?” he asked rhetorically “This may have been the best direction, I mean, if you had broken up with him earlier and before all of this crap happened would you even realized that you loved me? Would Liam find a way to break down Mel’s walls? Would we be here where we are right now and happy?” he fired off, each question making my mind spiral and yet this weight edging off my shoulders.

"Look,” Li said, halting us again in the middle of the street under the streetlight “I know you baby, so I knew you'd want to help him.” he murmured his eyes blazing to mine with no amount of hesitation or uncertainty.

He was positive he knew me inside out and he did, he knew me mind, body and soul. He knew how I thought of things and when something pushed me over the edge like that incident of bullying and confrontation, he knew what I loved and was passionate about and that was equality, striving for the stars and seeing the best in people. He knew how to tell when I was sad which was when I tugged on the end of the sleeve of my shirt – it was why so many had holes in the end – and when I chewed on my lower lip I was shy. My god did he know how my body reacted, he knew my weak spots and he knew how to make me reach those stars. But mostly, he understood me; he simply read me so easily that I didn’t feel the need to put up walls of insecurity because he knew every inch of me and accepted every single damn one. He loved me and every single damn one of those quirks of mine. He loved me for them.

I didn’t bother denying the truth; I did want to help Jed. Maybe that’s why I held on for so much longer with him and waited, maybe I was waiting for him to realize his mistakes. Maybe I was hanging on because I wanted to help him. But that wasn’t my job, life isn’t always like those stories and one thing I was learning was that those stories don’t write the life of someone but rather we write the story to those books. It wasn’t my place to help Jed, it wasn’t up to me in this life – in this story – to save him and Jed didn’t need me. I was needed for something else. For someone else.

I mean, who knows, maybe in this rehab place Jed will find some gorgeous shy quirky girl that will pull his head out of his ass and help him see the light and beauty in the world as he cleans himself up. The dreamer in me prayed that’s how his story went, but then no matter what some girl was going to come in and save him. Because at the end of any story you’re saved by someone, no matter what, it just doesn’t mean it’s right away. Because at the end of the day every single damn person deserves to be saved and they will be. But you need to have faith in that; you need to believe in that.

Eli cupped my face drawing me from my swarming thoughts “Ez, I did the best thing for him, for everyone. He's going to get help, get better! It wasn't your fault, because of you you're going to save a life!" he insisted with passionate blazing eyes, he had so much belief and pride in me even though they went to the police.

“You’re going to save a life.” I whispered looking at him with a soft wondrous smile. He went to protest “And I’m okay with that.” I soothed him, halting him from arguing “As long as he is saved I’m definitely happy, I can have a clean conscious.”

Eli smiled softly brushing the hair behind his ear “The only reason why I saved him was because if we knew if we handled it any other way you’d disown us.” He chuckled softly “So really, it was all you baby.”

“Let’s just settle on we.” I compromised letting my forehead fall forward so it rested against his lips, which quite happily brushed across the skin lovingly.

“I like the word we.” He murmured and if anything by the tone of his voice he meant it differently, he didn’t mean it in terms of us both helping Jed but rather us being a ‘we’ in the first place – a couple.

I laughed softly “I like you.” I murmured.

“I like you too.” he chuckled.

“You know what I’d really like though?” I whispered my face closer to his neck as I watched him shudder under my ticklish warm caressing breath.

“No, what?” he asked curiously pulling back.

“I’d really like a piggy back ride.” I said smiling up at him as I chewed on my lower lip.

Eli chuckled before rolling his eyes, turning around he crouched down “Well come on than, jump on girlfriend.” He said smiling over his shoulder at me.

But I was already holding on.

***

Finally arriving at home on Eli’s back we walked down around the side of the house, Eli was cautious of the tree branches and bushes gouging out my eye after a branch had flicked my the faintest on my cheek. He had yet to stop apologizing.

Stepping around the corner – or rather Eli – I gasped at the beauty of it all, out by the back gazebo where I always loved to read and the fire pit lit and firing. Liam was there by the barbeque grilling away – let’s hope not burning – and Mel was beside him, her arm resting on his shoulder as they talked easily and yet looking adorable. The fairy Christmas lights we left up all year around were still in the gazebo’s structure, weaving around posts and through the lattice built on all four sides of our backyard gazebo. It looked like a gorgeous intimate event it had me smiling grandly with enthusiasm.

I squealed in excitement “Is this our first double date?”

“No,” Liam said in amusement correcting me as he looked over his shoulder “this is our first time rekindling our little group.”

“So like an initiation?” Mel stated with a smile.

I laughed back eagerly and more than content “Okay, as long as there’s no blood oaths or whatever.”

The gang chuckled as Eli towed me over to the gazebo with the pretty lights and sat me down gently in one of cushioned deck chairs around the warm fire pit. Gently pulling back he smiled softly “Now can you please be careful enough and not burn yourself again.” He pleaded with me reaching for the hand that I had burned last time I was out by here with him and brushing his lips across my palm softly and tauntingly, surely it had to be illegal to make someone feel such a thing, especially in public!

“I-I’ll try.” I murmured breathlessly, my eyes even feeling hooded.

“I’m just going to help Liam with the cooking okay?” he said more of a question for permission to my amusement.

I shook my head smiling “Okay, you go and be men.” I said giving him a gentle push in that direction “I’ll be fine, I have Mel.” I nodded to where she was walking towards us.

Walking off and leaving Mel and I together the two of us girls soon fell into chatter and I was over by the back table helping her prepare the rest of the food. We were giggling and gushing in low whispers as we finished off the tossed salad and all the other scrumptious foods such as devil eggs, fried rice, potato bake and more. We’d even giggle more as the boys would glance over their shoulders at us suspiciously at our giggles and low voices and then they’d turn around to murmur in low voice too which had us giggling greater.

“Hey you,” a voice murmured as arms slid around me “you want to come with me for a second?” Eli murmured softly in my ear giving it a little nip.

I shudder beneath him feeling my body thrum to life “Yeah s-sure.” I stammered breathlessly as he lead me inside, my heart tumbling.

Walking inside the big empty and quiet house, Eli towed me down the hall towards my room and my heart leapt with excitement. I know we said we were going to take it slow, and I knew that was for the best, but dammit my body sparked to life eagerly as I thought back to that chocolate cupcake. The door opened into my room and he pulled me into my room leading me to sit on my bed as he stood between my spread legs that kept spreading desperately wider apart. My breath hitched eagerly as I thought back to our last time in the janitor’s room, my body all hot and bothered.

“Do you see anything different?” he asked his voice low in an intimate bedroom voice.

I smiled up at him tugging on his jean buckles “Like what?” I asked lowly a streak of confidence latching onto me.

Eli looked at me torn between amused and curious “Like in your room, do you see anything different or new?”

I felt like freezing cold water had been dumped over me, my wanton body had just plummeted as if I suddenly had started thinking about my grandparents getting busy. My nose screwed up confused as I looked around quickly utterly curious and confused as I asked a high “What?”

Suddenly my eyes grew to saucers as I raced to the side of my room, pulling out each and every one of them. And sure enough there was my ‘Pride and Prejudice’ book, I knew it was my book because on the inside page there was a black line when I had been ruling a margin and my pen slipped ruling into the opened book. Just like I knew that it was my ‘Rapture’ book my Lauren Kate because on the bottom along the pages was a black line which when I found out about I cried for like a month over it, I hated how the book shop owners in that small little store were too lazy that they marked the books so. Or how my ‘She Went All The Way’ story by Meg Cabot was torn and tattered because when I wanted Meg Cabot’s humor and yet toe curling romance that’s where I went first, that’s who I turned to.

I scanned every single shelf counting every single book jammed into my bookshelf in amazement, my heart was thundering and my eyes were as wide as saucers in disbelief and a thundering excitement. He even put my trinkets back on the shelves like my little funky candles and some photo frames I had dressed it up with. Because right in front of me was my bookshelf full of the books I’d already sold a couple days ago before the party and before more than ever I embraced the daydreamer within me. Because now I definitely had someone to daydream and gush over and now I could definitely relate to each and every single one of those throbbing romances.

“I thought I had lost them all!” I cried my voice choking up to the seriousness of this situation; he had rescued and found every single damn one of these books. It was like he had saved my life and really he did, these books were my life.

“Are they all there?” he asked somewhere behind me as I still stared at them in an enchanted awe.

I nodded mutely “I-I can’t- You- My gosh.” I breathed speechless and breathless.

“I added two more things to it.” he murmured coming up behind me as he wrapped his arms around me, I weaved my fingers through him tight clinging to him. I was desperate for his touch and so that if there was any chance this was all just some magical dream I could hold onto him so I wasn’t dragged back into reality.

I looked around anxiously until my gaze landed on them both, my breath catching and my eyes shining with unshed tears “It’s beautiful…” I breathed in awe.

There, framed on one higher up shelf was the photo we had joked about the first night we kissed and told each other we loved each other, our night of firsts. It was of Eli and I on the beach, the photo he said he had framed on his bedside table in his room of us and sure enough I had seen it today. He had the very same photo he said he loved of us sitting right their framed and blown up at a reasonable side resting perfectly in my shrine of all I cherished; my family, my best friend, my books and my perfect boyfriend – my prince.

I turned around his arms looking up at him “You’re amazing.” I breathed absolutely touched, how did such an amazing soul survive this treacherous world?

“There’s also another book, one you pointed out the other day when-“

I silenced him with a kiss, my lips moving slowly against him as I slid my tongue sweetly into his mouth. He moaned heavily under my taste stroking his tongue and leaving him gripping me tighter as he pressed me tighter into the kiss and his warm body. We flushed together in harmony as our lips moved just as in sync, we had mesmerized each other to perfection but every time we kissed it is still like the very first time.

“You have no idea how much I love you boyfriend.” I whispered running my fingers absentmindedly through the hair at the nape of his neck.

“If how much I love you is anything to go by I wouldn’t be so sure.” He hummed with that beautifully heart melting smile that leaves you breathless.

“I’m serious though,” I whispered looking up at him “there are no words for how utterly perfect you are, you have the sweetest heart and soul.” I murmured pressing my lips to where that sweet heart lay.

“Forever and always, remember?” he murmured curling a lock of my hair behind my ear.

I smiled back giving him a gentle squeeze “Forever and always boyfriend.”

He smiled “Come on pretty girl, let’s go back out and join them.”

“Wait!” I cried racing back to my bookshelf scanning for the new book before I slid it into the bookshelf to join the others, they had all the time in the world to become acquainted with each other, I was never letting these babies go ever again.

Content and happy I curled into his side before going back outside with something else now in my hand, a new plan in mind. the back door closed with a slam but in my blissfully intoxicated state I didn’t even blink an eye as I looked up at Eli lovingly, how did I ever get so lucky?

“What do you have there?” Mel asked interrupting my thoughts.

I held it up “My camera.” I smiled happily.

The boys both moaned and groaned and I rolled my eyes, you’d think I was asking them to eat mud by the way they were carrying on. “C’mon guys, this is a new beginning with new things we need to start if off with new memories to document.” I pleaded with them “We could go on another road trip.” I tried coaxing them with my wide puppy dog eyes.

Mel shrugged “I’m in!” she declared eagerly with a big smile as she waltzed up to me and turned the camera on trying to get a photo of Eli and myself.

“Eli you weren’t even looking at the camera!” she complained as she held the camera back to us.

Sure enough on the screen was a photo of me Eli’s arms wrapped around my middle from behind, our arms crossed and fingers weaved together. I was smiling at the camera and Eli’s eyes were still on me, his lips curling at the corner. I don’t care what Mel says, that had to be one of the best damn photos I’ve ever seen.

“I like it.” I said still staring at it aching inside with this new emotion of love and longing.

“I love it.” Eli murmured kissing my cheek sweetly as he too stared down at it.

“Foods ready!” Liam cried out startling us before we were all ushered to grab a plate and promising me we’d take some more photos later on.

Finally though our men were back at our side and we were all huddling around the fire pit with a plate of food and a glass each of some alcoholic choice. Mel and I had set up some music in the background whilst we all sat around huddled in our own little group love bubble and I’d never felt closer to home than I did right now in this moment.

“You okay baby?” Eli murmured into the side of my neck as I sat on his lap meaning we were sharing a plate.

I hummed in acknowledgement “I’m perfect.” I smiled at him over my shoulder “Potato bake?” I asked holding the fork up to his lips; there was no protest as his lips wrapped around the fork. I on the other hand had a shudder of glee at how intimate and absolutely wonderful this felt right now on his lap and in his arms.

“Hey, do you guys want to play a game?” Mel piped up eagerly sitting up a little straighter as she placed her plate aside, Liam and Mel having demolished their food basically except for Eli and I who was a little slower in our own little love bubble.

“Yes!” I cried eagerly leaning so far forward that anxiously Eli tightened his arms around me so I didn’t fall nor did the plate.

“Carefully baby girl.” Eli murmured.

I narrowed my eyes on him over my shoulder “Are you worried about me dropping or the plate going?”

“The plate mostly.” He quipped back teasingly as he nibbled at the flesh on the side of my neck making me moan softly, melting back into his arms not even bothering to fight back. How on earth Mel and Liam did it was beyond me.

“So the game is where this a trust circle.” Mel carried on ignoring us as they were beginning to get so good at “Now I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve fallen into this habit of keeping secrets.”

The boys both shot me looks “What? I didn’t say I hadn’t!” I cried huffing despite the laugh bubbling over with my words.

Mel rolled her eyes waving them off “So the game is to find that trust again and I’m sorry but since these little…couples are here to stay I think it’s a must if we want this group to stay.” We all nodded agreeing one hundred percent.

“So, I’ll start.” Mel nodded taking a deep breath “Tomorrow, my mother and I are going to sit down for the first time in god knows how long to have lunch, in our messed up two family group.”

I gaped at her, hearing it for the first time, Liam I noticed not looking surprised and I was silently glad, true I couldn’t deny I felt a little put out I didn’t know first but in that moment I was simply just glad she had someone to reassure her and keep her clam. Despite that Liam felt nervous, we were all nervous at the thought of her being broken again.

“She wants to make up for her…mistakes?” Eli spoke up searching for the right words that wouldn’t offend her, like calling these ‘mistakes’ her stupidity.

Mel nodded “Yeah, she seems sincere so I’m going to give it a go.” She murmured honestly with a nervous breath “I mean, I’m definitely jumping right in. that’s why it’s lunch. I’m taking it a step at a time and a lunch isn’t simply going to make up for it.”

I nodded understandingly noticing how she needed a change of pace, “Okay, is it my turn next?” I spoke up looking at Mel unsure.

“Yeah.” She nodded with a grateful smile.

“Okay…” I trailed off pursing my lips trying to think “Oh!” I cried my eyes lighting up “I once purposely didn’t do my homework so I got detention with Eli.” I answered blushing scarlet as everyone roared with laughter.

“Was that with Mr. Douglas in fifth grade?” He asked in laughter as I nodded blushing even darker “When you left he found your crumpled up homework sheet you tossed in the bin.” He told me to my mortification as I buried my face in Eli’s chest blushing a bloody scarlet.

“Little Erin getting detention.” Liam sang with a childish voice, as if I was a baby.

“Shuddup.” I mumbled still hiding in Eli’s chest as Liam only cackled some more “’Li tell him to shuddup.” I whined.

“Yeah man, shuddup.” Eli said sounding now childish as his went from a guy tone to a childish one making us all laugh some more.

“That makes so much sense!” Mel cried making me look back up and over at her “I mean, you gave me the answers so I could copy and the next second I’m sitting at lunch alone because apparently you didn’t do your homework. I was so freaking terrified thinking they’d busted you for giving me the answers!”

“Cheater!” Liam sang smugly poking her in the arm repeatedly.

“Oh shut up you!” Mel cried slapping him away though she chuckled under her breath.

“Okay, okay! My turn!” Eli cried making our laughter all die down “Ez baby, I didn’t really need tutoring for maths; I just wanted to spend time with you.”

“Awww.” Mel and Liam both chorused at the same times “They’re broth liars.” They crooned.

I smiled up at Eli as I grabbed his face and brushed my lips against his “I know.” I whispered against them “We did barely any studying and you were getting in the eighty percents and still asking for help – I’m not stupid.” I giggled.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked amused and amazed, looking just a little sheepish but mostly happy.

“Because I wanted to spend time with you too.” I murmured softly with honesty as I brushed the hair out of his eyes.

“Okay, my turn!” Liam cried looking utterly excited and smug as he ran his hands absentmindedly down Mel’s legs which were now in his lap “Erin, that day you accidentally stepped on one of my Playstation discs I – angry I remind you, and hurt, very hurt –“ he said trying to guilt me so I wouldn’t react, my eyes already narrowed “I ripped one of your Nicholas Sparks books, so than I told mum and she told me I had to pay for a new one from my pocket money. So whilst we waited for it to come in mail I told you Mel had borrowed it…” he trailed off sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.

“What?” Mel cried clueless.

“I knew it!” I cried narrowing my gaze on him “Mel doesn’t read!”

“Hey!” Mel cried in protest.

“What? You don’t.” I shrugged before turning back to Liam “You’re a jerk!”

“Hey, you crushed one of my games!” he argued back defensively.

“By accident!” I cried throwing my hands up in the air.

“Suddenly this game isn’t too fun.” Mel mumbled.

“I got you a new one!” he tried to appease me.

“You’re still a jerk!” I sulked folding my arms with a huff.

“Oh c’mon, you can’t give me the silent treatment.” He whined as I turned my face away from his in a huff “C’mon Ez!” he pleaded “I’ll buy you a new book?” he begged of me earnestly.

Slowly my head turned back around “Any book I want?” I asked slowly with a calculating look.

Eli chuckled “You do know she’s going to make you buy the most expensive one or hardest one to find, right?”

I narrowed my eyes back on him and I watch him grimace “Does that mean I need to buy one too?” he presumed.

I looked at Mel beaming wildly “Did you hear that Mel? I’m getting two new books!” I cried ecstatically as the boys groaned.

“Good luck with her man,” Liam shot an apologetic warning to Eli “she’s the devil in disguise. That innocent act is bullshit; it just makes it easier for her to get her way.”

My eyes narrowed amused “Make that three Mel.”

Liam cursed.

We soon fell back into laughter and chatter as the confessions continued, we kept going in circles sharing new things as we drank and laughed or we’d randomly scream out to the music in the background. We all learned new things or things only one or two of us knew. Some were out right hilarious that left us roaring in laughter; others were embarrassing confessions that left us snickering, whilst others left us angry like I had been temporarily about my book. Some were a mixture, leaving one sibling blanching in disgust at hearing whilst the rest sniggered and wolf called, like when I confessed where my naughty thoughts had trailed with those damn chocolate cupcakes. Then there were the confessions of love between us all like Mel.

“Okay,” Mel began rubbing the back of her neck “one time I stole one of Liam’s shirts off the clothesline and kept for myself.”

Liam gasped as I barked in laughter “That’s where my favorite shirt went!” he cried with wide eyes.

“I can give it back?” Mel offered with a sheepish grin.

Liam rolled his eyes as he went back to rubbing and massaging her calves “You keep it sweetie, it’d look better on you.”

Then there were the outright brutally honest and deep confessions, ones that left us sometimes talking about the serious things in life and philosophizing. With every confession we’d share advice and support for one another letting each one know they weren’t stupid, we understood them and no matter what we’d always be there. The raw confessions stretched from Eli’s struggle to believe in God after the loss of his father and watching his family pain. Or how Mel admitted guiltily that she was actually really excited about another chance with her mum and she was afraid she’s get her hopes up too high to crash and burn. To even how I admitted I got rid of my books and changed myself, feeling that being a dreamer made me weak but really I was realizing hope and dreams made me a stronger person. Liam’s confession of how he felt like he still felt like he wasn’t worthy enough of a brother after all of this was shared and how he feared that he’d shed so much focus on Mel and her hurdles that he’d neglect me which he never wanted to do.

By the end of it I felt closer to each and every one of the people sitting in this circle.

Mel than surprised us as she pulled out a glass of champagne and sharing similar thoughts to my own declared that this rekindling and stronger and happier group deserved to celebrate before she than later admitted to stealing this – most likely very expensive – champagne from her mum’s collection. Soon champagne in plastic cheap novelty champagne glasses were passed out under the warm glow of the fire as we bathed in the warmth it and the fire provided.

I held my quirky plastic glass up to Eli which had a pig painted on it with its head sticking out off it made out of some sort of material and when you squeezed it squealed making me giggle in laughter. Eli squeezed it again telling me the squeal killed his ear but my squeal of laughter was totally worth hearing and made it all better. I blushed before latching my lips lovingly on to his, he was the biggest sweetheart and he was all mine.

“I think we should make a toast before we drink.” Mel spoke up as both couples came out of their own love bubble and broke the beautiful content silence.

Liam gave a sheepish grin “Too late?” he squeaked more as a question with his drink already at his lips.

Mel whacked him laughing as she leaned up, her feet in his lap “You idiot.” She chortled.

“A late toast than?” Eli suggested holding up his drink in front of us making me giggle again and Eli to smile rolling his eyes in amusement as he kissed the tip of my nose.

“Yes.” We all agreed holding up our own quirky champagne glasses.

We all exchanged looks each and every one of us unsure of what to say; maybe a “Screw Jed and Falan!” or even a “Cheers for the girls finally figuring themselves out!” I personally didn’t feel comfortable with any of them; there was no heart to it.

“When I was at Gemma’s and Andrew’s wedding,” I began clearing my throat “I met Gemma’s grandmother.” I said smiling fondly at the memory, if her words that were really only now starting to find clarity “She said to me that…finding someone that makes you ache and feel insanely blissfully enchanted in that exact same breath is something really rare to come by.” All three of them smiled at me, listening on entrapped by each and every word just as I was by my own poetics words.

“And I think,” I paused running my tongue over my lower lip “I know that that kind of love is out there for every single person and she did too. But just because it is out there it doesn’t mean it’s going to fall into your hands.” I said shaking my head with a knowing grin “When you love someone, when you ache to breathe very same breath as them you have to fight for it, you have to get back up again no matter how many times your knocked down,” I looked at Liam “you’ve got to get out of bed and try again no matter how much your body aches to give in” I turned to look at a knowing Mel “you’ve got to hold onto that little bit of faith because it’s your job to make it real.” I whispered looking up at Eli who looked down upon me as if I was life itself making me smile with certainty, there was no doubt in the world.

“We’ve all made it real.” I whispered turning around to look at my brother and his soul mate, my best friend “We never gave up, we fought for what we knew was our soul mate and that’s what makes us worthy of this love, we fought for it.” I said passionately, my body surging with the euphoria and pride in that “We fought to be here and happy, we fought for the ones we love whether it be your soul mate,” I looked up at Eli “a best friend” I gave Mel a warming smile “or even a brother or a sister.” I murmured watching as my brother mouthed three little words that told me I’d never live a dull day of my life “You fight to make that kind of love exist.”

“We need to keep such a rare, beautiful and utterly enchanting love alive.” I said watching as Mel and Liam shared a mesmerizing glance, looking around at all that I loved and who I fought for “Because if we don’t make that love real anymore than there’s nothing worth dreaming for anymore.” I laughed softly at the sheer truth to my words.

“To making it real.” Mel said her eyes blurring with tears as she held her glass back up again. Her glistening eyes made my own tears begin to rise higher; it was a rare occasion you found Mel in ruins of tears and it only signified the enchanting moment.

We all held up our glasses as we all reached forward, all of us standing in a circle with our arms around each other, Liam and Eli melted so much they gave that guy pat. Mel and I shared giddy tear glistening eye smiles as I tightened my chokehold around her neck, whilst the both of us were still wrapped up in arms with our guys, our very own love stories with wide blazing smiles. I felt like I’d been wrapped up in a tight cocoon of giddy love that kept my body alive and thrumming and my smile gigantic, I couldn’t help but it couldn’t get any better than this. And as we reached forward with trepidation to clink glasses I may not have had a camera to capture the moment, but I knew it was the best damn image that would forever be taken that was too valuable to ever share.

“To making it real!” 

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So here it is boys and girls, the final 'Make It Real' chapter, it's such a bitter-sweet moment to now tick this off as done but exciting to start my new story adventures. For every one of you amazing readers who stuck by this story and read from start to finish I cannot honestly thank you enough! Thank you oh so much for taking this journey with all of us; with me, with Erin, Mel, Liam and Eli. For falling in love with us and for most importantly being so utterly supportive. You guys are the heart and soul to this story and I cannot thank you enough! 

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