Chapter 29: Chapter 29

"Tobias, where the hell are we? I was joking about the romance thing, it's not that big a deal." I tell him, gazing at the tall buildings that pass us as we whizz through the city. The sky is dark, grey clouds looming above us. The traffic is barely non existent and I lean back in my seat, turning to glance at him.

He licks his lower lip, a look of concentration on his face. "You're a special girl Trish. . . If we're going to be together, I want to do it properly. I don't want to mess things up between us."

He turns to look at me, chocolate brown eyes smiling in my direction. I feel myself staring back for a second before I dumbly nod, unable to form a sentence to respond back with.

"Can I ask you a question?" I murmur, wondering whether I can bring up the topic or not. Tobias shifts in his seat, a sign to show he's nervous. I watch as he reaches up, running a hand through his dark locks.

"Sure."

"Does this feel different to the others? The way you feel about me." I ask him, needing to know the question. Tobias has a past of falling for the wrong girls and he's recently came out of an intense relationship. I don't want to fall too deep if in a few months, Tobias will leave me broken hearted. I've liked him for a while and the more time we spend together, the less I can vision a future without him.

"Do you want my honest answer?" Tobias responds quietly, his voice a low rumble inside the car. I feel my breathing hitch inside my throat in anticipation and I nod. "Yes, the truth."

"I feel something special with you, something I haven't felt before. I feel like this thing between us can actually work out. You get me Trish, that's rare for me to find." He explains, his every word firm and full of truth. I can feel my stomach somersault, my throat drying out alongside it. I reach down and find my water bottle before unscrewing the cap and taking a long drink.

"Why not before? We've known each other for a while. Why do you only feel something now?" I whisper, wondering whether my questions have gone too far. Will I not like the answer?

"Despite seeing each other a lot, we never really spoke. You're hot as hell Trish but lately when I've got to know the real you, that's what I fell for." Tobias says, looking over at me. His eyes flicker between both of mine before falling to my lips. A small smile plays on his —

"You're beautiful, inside and out."

He speaks so calmly, his tone casual. I don't think I'll ever get used to the way Tobias makes me feel . . . It's like being at the fairground, on your favourite ride. You're so giddy with excitement yet an underlying sense of nerves fills you. When the adrenaline rushes through your blood, it's the most addicting feeling in the world.

That's how I describe being with Tobias . . . Addicting.

*****

I don't realise I've fallen asleep until I'm being shaken awake. I slowly open my eyes to find Tobias' face in front of me, eyes flashing with amusement.

"You're drooling Sugar."

"Crap." I mutter, sitting up straight. My hands automatically fly up, wiping at my mouth whilst Tobias leans back against the passenger door, chuckling away. I narrow my eyes and glare at him but when I notice the view behind him, I freeze in place. My mouth falls open and I gasp, unable to believe what I'm seeing is reality.

In front of me lies a beach, covered with sand and a dark blue ocean. The sand stretches out for around a mile but in the distance, all you can see are the waves. The sound of them crashing against the rocks fills the silence and I can smell the sea salt float through the air. It's still slightly dark, the sun hasn't risen properly yet. The entire beach is deserted and I feel glued to my seat, unable to tear my eyes off it.

"Wow," I breathe out.

"Do you like it?" Tobias asks me, holding out his hand. I take hold of it, his warm fingers intertwining with mine. I automatically nod my head, a warm feeling settling inside my stomach.

"You drove here all night?" I question. I study his appearance, messy dark hair and his usual beautiful eyes. He shakes his head —

"It was only a five hour drive. I slept in the car but wanted to wake you before the sun rises."

My eyebrows shoot up in shock. Five hours? "You're crazy, Tobias Melvin." I tell him, allowing myself to be pulled along with him. He looks over his shoulder, giving me a heart stopping smile. I almost stop and drool at how good he always manages to look. I stand beside the car as he opens the boot, grabbing a bag from it and swinging it over his shoulder.

"What's that?" I tell him, signalling towards the bag.

"A backpack." He shoots back smartly. I roll my eyes and he swings an arm around my shoulder before locking the car.

"I know that, smart-ass. I mean, what's inside it?"

"It's a surprise, you'll find out soon." Tobias smiles slyly, directing me towards the beach. It's slightly cold outside so I bury myself further into his chest, using his body warmth to heat myself up. His scent wraps around me and I breathe it in, loving it.

"You always smell so darn good." I mumble into his shirt. His chest vibrates as he chuckles, the sound of it bringing a smile to my face. I've known Tobias for a while and he hasn't had the best of lives. For so long, I never saw him laugh or smile. Seeing him do it so easily when he's around me causes the warm feeling inside my heart to burn brighter. I know I'm scared of falling too hard for the boy but a part of me argues that I already have.

We both step onto the sand and I feel myself sink into it, our shoes creating fresh imprints. The waves continue to crash against the rocks, fading out as it washes up on shore. We continue walking until we're a few feet away from the tide so we don't get wet. Tobias reaches in his bag and pulls out two blankets. I stand back and watch as he places the first one down onto the sand, smoothing out the material.

I bite my lower lip, unable to contain my huge smile as he signals for me to take a seat. I sit cross legged and he sits down beside me, automatically wrapping an arm around my shoulder to pull me in towards him. I lean against him, my head resting on his shoulder. With his spare hand, he drapes the second blanket over us, creating warmth that we can both share. Moments pass and neither one of us speak a single word, too stunned by the view in front of us.

The sound of the waves almost acts like a lullaby, sending me into a state of pure comfortable bliss. I close my eyes and inhale deeply.

"I love this," I whisper, my mind rid of any thoughts or worries. It's amazing how nature has such an effect on the human brain . . . It's available for anyone to use and sometimes we forget just how powerful it can be to our wellbeing. I've spent weeks, months struggling to contain the negative thoughts inside my head since Leroy's death but one trip to the beach brings me that five minutes of peace I so desperately need.

"I love spending time with you," Tobias murmurs, his hand running through the strands of my hair. He turns and plants a gentle kiss on my forehead and I sigh in content. Warmth runs through my body but it's not the blanket heating me up, it's him.

"Thank you for bringing me here," I tell him truthfully, my hand searching for his. He holds it tightly, giving me a reassuring squeeze.

"You haven't seen the best part yet. . . Look over there." He says softly, pointing in the opposite direction. I turn my head and let out another gasp, my eyes widening in disbelief. The sun is beginning to peek out causing thousands of sparkles to light up the waves in the distance. It's almost like diamonds have been scattered across the ocean, celebrating this moment with Tobias and I.

"It's beautiful, I feel like I'm dreaming." I tell him. He smiles down at me, his usual dark brown eyes lightening considerably. He looks so young, carefree and beautiful.

"I'm sorry for not asking you properly but Trish Louise Lockwood, will you be my girlfriend?" He murmurs, his eyes flickering between both of mine. I pull my lower lip into my mouth, goosebumps erupting over my bare arms. My heart skips a beat and I nod, leaning forward to get closer to him.

"Of course I will." I whisper, unable to contain the massive smile on my face. Tobias laughs quietly before reaching up and burying his hand in my hair. He gently pushes me closer towards him until my lips are on his. The second I feel them on mine, my world stops and is consumed entirely by this moment.

I've never known someone to kiss with such tenderness, such love and passion. In that moment, Tobias steals my heart and has sole ownership of it. I don't tell him but that morning sitting on the sand with the sun rising and the waves crashing in the air is the day I realised . . .

I've fallen in love with Tobias Melvin.