Cass was up with the sun.
Her routine since moving to the island had kept her busy from the moment she awake in the morning until her head hit her pillow at night. Rebecca was constantly telling her to slow down, but Cass was determined to explore every inch of the island. It had only been a few days since she’d moved and gotten settled, but already she was in love with Archeos. She wanted to stay here forever.
It helped that it was paradise, but it could have been anywhere that could offer her a fresh start. The truth was, Cass was running. Her heart had been broken and she wasn’t sure how to fix it. Part of her knew that all of these distractions would only keep her feelings away for so long, while part of her kept trying to convince herself that she really was okay. She had told herself that all she needed was to outrun them until they were there anymore when what she probably really needed just a good cry.
This morning she was enjoying a walk along the coast: feeling the soft ocean breeze through her hair and the smell of the salt water as the waves gently touched her toes. She loved the ocean. She felt so calm and peaceful in that moment: like she could take on the world. That is, right up until the moment she was suddenly met with a half-naked Tom Compton running up the beach towards her.
You’ve got to be kidding.
Repressing her emotions had worked much better when he didn’t randomly show up unexpectedly and Cass wasn’t sure if she keep herself from crying. She wanted to run, but she’d been too surprised; too overwhelmed to do much of anything and, instead, she just stood there like an idiot until he reached her, and it was too late to do anything but face him.
“Tom? What are you doing here?” She asked, as though it was impossible that he was there, at all. He wasn’t supposed to be there. That had been part of the whole point of moving to this island: she didn’t want to just run into him like this. But here they were, anyway, with him almost, quite literally, running into her.
“You need to leave.” She said, suddenly, as though the island was her’s and she had the right to cast him out.
She looked beautiful today (as she did everyday), with her soft curls mussed by the ocean breeze and her cheeks so rosy, but there was something missing. Her eyes were not so lit with adventure and love as he’d once seen them. Instead, there an aura of anger or sadness or both seemed to surround her like a nimbus. She was beautiful, yes, but her smiles were what he craved and he knew well and good he’d never see one again.
After everything had blown up, he’d gone back to win her again, only to find her missing. He’d had a speech prepared, then: lovely and flowing and filled with all his he should have said right from the start. He’d been too afraid to break the spell, early on, and then it was too late. Fool that he was, he’d convinced himself - perhaps even had wanted to think - that the only person who would be hurt by it all was himself. The truth was far more complex. When he’d found her gone, her inescapable message had been clear: I never wish to see your face again. He’d abided by that. He’d hurt her enough for a lifetime, after all. He’d abided by it and burned the letter instead of sending it. But now, now all those fine words were lost in ash and the only word in his head was her name, round and round and round again like an anthem in his mind.
“Cassie, I can’t believe-” he started again, heard her voice and broke off abruptly.
The question ached because he knew the answer. Tom hung his head, feeling like a guilty fool. “I, uh,” he grimaced. The answer to that question felt like a blow and Tom ran a hand over his mouth. “I...I’m vacationing here,” he began. “I...I’m with some people.” A long pause. He wanted to be honest, he’d sworn to himself he’d always be honest from that time onward. He’d told himself it was the best way to avoid hurting her again, but now...he felt sure the truth would hurt, too. Best not to prolong it. He said it quickly, like ripping off a bandaid. “Including Diana. We, we were thinking of...” No, too honest, she didn’t need to know they were here looking for wedding locations.
Her words were a blow but, by the same token, they weren’t exactly shocking, either. That was how it should be: he should be the one to leave her to herself rather than forcing her to escape him, again. He felt sure this would be the last thing she would ever ask of him. He wished he could. “I...I can’t. I came with a friend on a boat and...believe me, he’s not going anywhere until he gets his girl back. Apparently she summers here or something I...I don’t know.” He shook his head. Too much information, again.
“Please, I know I must be the very last person you want to see or talk to, right now, but...I feel I owe you an explanation. Could I, could I just have a few moments to explain?”
