24: His Anchor, My Happiness

❝ You were there for me through all the times I cried, I was there for you but then I lost my mind, I know that I messed up but I promise I, oh-oh, I can make it right ❞

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After dancing clumsily and falling flat on our butts a few times, we called it off. Never had I in my entire life laughed so heartily and loudly.

We sat in silence—comfortable silence— our hands laced and the breeze making our hair strands fly a little. It was almost like I experienced what heaven was like without actually dying.

"June, are you aware that you bring me peace?" He almost whispered, but the silence amplified everything. I turned to look at him, the boy of my dreams, as he traced small hearts on the back of my palm.

"I know it sounds stupid, but you really help me in ways no one can." He continued.

"And why is that so?" In a few months of knowing him, I may not know everything about him, but I knew Ray was scared of confrontations or confessions. Him being straight up vulnerable and raw was enough to make my heart flutter in happiness.

"I don't know. I mean for instance, there is this constant voice in my mind which tells me to be reckless, take revenge and fuck up every good thing in my life. And I've listened to that voice countless number of times and acted upon it. But whenever you're around, the voice ceases to exist." An emotion glazes his eyes as he looks deep into me, and I very well know that emotion. Butterflies erupt and burst in my stomach at that exact moment.

"It's like everything fades away." He thinks for a while, maybe engrossed in framing his words. "It's just you and me then. And suddenly, there's another voice inside my mind which tells me to get my shit together and live rightfully. It tells me that good things will happen to me, and that I must never lose hope." I squeeze his hand in reciprocation, while he tightens the grip a little.

"I think it's quite similar for me." I dont say the words, my heart does. He looks up at me questioningly, and I sigh. He would never know how much he helped me.

"I never realized how poorly I was being treated until you came along. I always blamed myself, that I wasn't enough or maybe it was me that was the problem. Not other people." At this confession of mine, he mutters and curses Stefan under his breath which makes me smile.

I continued. "You taught me that standing up for oneself isn't wrong. It's necessary. You taught me that relationships and friendships don't have to work on how much time the two people have known each other for, but by the way two people treat each other. And you also taught me that sometimes, taking risks is good." He smiled at that and pulled me closer to him, as I nestled my head in the crook of his neck.

"I think we both helped each other grow." He said after some time, and I just kissed his neck in response. "Let's grow and build ourselves together, what do you say?" Flitting images of Ray and I walking hand in hand together even after high school immediately brought a wide smile on my face and red to my cheeks.

I nodded. "After all, don't they say, grow through what you go through? Let's do it together."

His eyes fell on my lips and I sucked in a breath. My heartbeat rhythmically increased, as my eyes flitted from his eyes to his lips continuously.

"Breathe." His raspy, deep voice almost commanded and I took in a breath, anticipating and wanting whatever was about to happen next.

This time, he took his sweet time.

His hand tilted my neck as a few fingers grasped the hair on my nape. His lips drew in closer and closer until they were a mere few centimeters away. His warm breath fanned my face, as hot spurts of electric-like shocks traveled from my head to toe.

"Beautiful." He whispered, before his lips clashed onto mine. This time, his tongue slipped into my mouth in a second. It teasingly lapped with mine, making the sloppy, wet kiss more sensual. It explored every corner of my mouth, as I held onto his shoulders for dear life.

His hands went to my waist, lifted me up and settled me on his lap. My legs wound around his hip like a reflex, and our chests touched.

It was like an atomic bomb explosion.

Everything felt so wired, electric and hot. Like fury and erotica combined.

He moved up and thrust his hip into mine as I moaned in his mouth, making him groan in response. He was in complete control of the kiss, his lips picking up speed and depth. He would slow down a few times, and focus on my lips, the sloppy slapping sounds of our lips arousing something in me which was quite new. Then he would pick up speed again, biting, nibbling and pulling onto my bottom lip, while his tongue soothed his doings.

The feeling of his hardness poking made me whimper, as a deep rumble left out of his mouth, making my stomach convulse.

He pulled back, his deep pants vibrating through my chest. "We should stop, now that I'm trying to control. It's really difficult being around you, when you look at me like you adore the fuck out of me with those doe eyes of yours."

My lips tugged at the corners involuntarily and I focused on straightening his hair which had been ruffled messy.

"Mhmm," he hummed, as his eyes closed. "I really like it when you do that." I smiled and then patted his arm to tell him it was done. "We should get going now, it's close to 10. I wouldn't want your mom worrying."

It was quite adorable how he thought of my mom and the time when it came to taking me out. As much as he loved to have me all to himself, he had stated clearly to me multiple times that it would not come at the cost of my mom worrying. He had promised to speak to my mom as soon as I told her about the whole thing between me and Ray.

We walked back to his jeep, and I instantly reached for the heat control, as it was quite chilly outside. Immediately, his warm sweater was slipped through over my arms rather forcefully, as he denied he wasn't that cold.

The sweatshirt was like a fireplace you want to come home to – warm, cozy and it smelt of him. It wasn't cologne, no. It was more of his body smell, something between fresh grass and mint.

I happily snuggled into it, as he tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. The drive back was even more beautiful. The windows were down, wide open, as the cool breeze sweeped inside. It was comfortable, with his sweatshirt on me, but as I glanced at him, I was awestruck yet again.

The wind made his white t-shirt fly, his hair flopped on his forehead and he hummed to the song that was playing in the background. I found out he was a huge Chase Atlantic enthusiast, and hence Paradise by the band was playing right now.

Everything felt so heavenly.

With the moonlight flooding the sky, the stars twinkling and the wind flowing across the jeep, it felt as if I was in my very own Hollywood movie. It was as if the last puzzle piece came into picture and molded with the incomplete puzzle to make it complete.

Two people completely crazy about each other, who had seen each other in their worst, now finally together along with this wonderful beauty of nature. What more could I want in life?

"I want to travel the world with you." He said, and I looked at him, wondering that was telepathy really a thing? Because he stole my exact thoughts.

"And why's that?" I questioned.

"I can't see why not. I think I made it clear earlier, but I'll still let you know again, you bring me places no one could ever, June. And what could be more wonderful than bringing  with me to my dream places?" His eyes fazed, his gaze wavery and thoughtful as he focused on driving.

My heart plummeted and I suddenly felt that I could and would do anything for this boy.

"I would love that."

He turned to look at me for a second and flashed me a smile that shook my insides. His fingers drummed on the steering wheel and he shook his head as if he couldn't believe this was happening.

For the first time, my gaze landed on Ray's arms and the intricate art of ink on it. I'd never really seen it, because he had a habit of wearing his leather jackets as far as he was concerned.

I wasn't really opposed to the idea of getting tattoos, but I had a theory regarding it. Some people got tattooed simply because they liked getting inked. Some people got tatooed because they wanted something to help them remember, forget or live with. I was neither of them. I hadn't really anything in life that I would like getting permanently inked on my body. There was no purpose and no cause.

But now as I soaked in the beautifully inked patterns, I wondered what was the story behind them. A few of them were quotes, some in Latin, some in Spanish and some in English, with an array of numbers and dates thrown across according fitting to the pattern. Then there were designs, which were most likely tribal designs, filled with colors. Those were my favorite, for they were very intricate and beautifully arranged.

"Are my tattoos that interesting?" He caught me looking and I sheepishly smiled.

"Yes and no. They are beautiful, but I was wondering what they meant or if they had any story?" I kept my eyes steady on him as he looked at me again before moving his gaze on the road.

"Most of them have stories behind them. Atleast the one's on my chest do." His voice moved an octave deep.

"You have tattoos on your chest as well?" I exclaimed, because this was news to me. I knew he had tattoos but the locations were unclear.

"Yeah. On my chest, on my right ankle, on my neck, on my left hand and the whole of my right arm, which you are seeing right now." He explained.

I awed in silence as the information slipped in.

"Why? Do you not like tattoos?" He slipped in a question.

"Im not sure if I want a tattoo but I like them on you. It's hot." I cleared my throat and focused on the lamp posts flashing by us as he chuckled.

"Do you want to see them all?"

I turned in the flash of a second and he laughed loudly this time. Blush crept up my neck as I played with the hem of his sweat shirt.

"You're so fucking adorable." His right hand lifted up my chin and turned my face towards him. His hand then slipped down and threaded his fingers with mine. "You'll see them one day. I'm all yours, after all." He cast me a side long glance as I choked on air, quite very much understanding the innuendo behind it.

"Shut up." I croaked, but a smile cracked on my face, nevertheless. By then, we'd pulled over my house and I could see the light on in the kitchen, which meant mom was home. Katie had promised to cover for me and hence I was going to tell mom I was over hers. Of course, I'd have to find some time tomorrow to talk to her about the whole thing in detail. I was sure she'd understand.

"And here we are." He killed the ignition. He'd parked a few rows down my house, making sure that his jeep wasn't visible to my mom. We both turned to look at each other. My left cheek was resting on the seat, as I looked at him. Really looked at him.

His eyes softened and he caressed my cheek. I leaned in his touch and let a content sigh out.

"Thank you for the wonderful date. I'm not sure how this is going to sound, but everything I do with you becomes special. Even the simplest of things. Like this car ride, which was the best thing I've ever experienced." And it was true. I'd never felt more free and happy.

He smiled and kissed me softly on my lips.

"I know. Its you and your company I crave. Nothing else matters."

Butterflies again emerged from their hiding place. We moved out of the jeep and stood a few steps away from my house, behind a tree.

"Bye." I leaned up to kiss him as he then watched me retreat.

I'd almost reached the corner when he called my name and reached upto me.

I looked up expectantly.

"I—" he fumbled again. I waited patiently, taking his hand in mine. "I may not be good with words but, I'm always here. Just a call away, you know." His face was tensed, as if he wanted to come to the point but was finding it hard.

"I always know that. Don't worry."

"What I mean is that—uh, if you're ever bored, or anxious or just miss me, you can tell me. I'll be here for you, not just physically but emotionally as well." His hands were shaking as I rubbed them.

"I know, and I appreciate it. I promise I'll let you know. But you have to do the same for me." The tension lift off a little from his face and he nodded. I knew he was trying hard. "And I always miss you, by the way." His lips tugged up to form a smirk and he shook his head.

"Sure you do." And there he was. Cocky Ray was back.

"And what about you?" I played along.

"Well yeah you do pop up in my mind once in a while, but it's normal, isn't it?" His smirk was visible and wide as I fake scowled. He scoffed at that.

"Just kidding, Williams. I always think of you, whatever I do and wherever I am. I told you, you're my anchor. Keeps me grounded." The sincerity in his voice melted me.

He took me in his arms and we both sighed, holding each other as tightly as possible.

"See you Monday?" He nodded and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. I started walking back, as he reminded me to not dream and drool of him too much. Cocky brat. Hot cocky brat.

Opposites really did attract, in my case. And damn, wasn't I extremely lucky?

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Oh my god, has it been a month since I updated? *smiles sheepishly* Well that's this chapter summed up. I wanted to show the more emotional and personal side to Ray, but about his feelings towards June.

A chapter in Ray's POV? What do y'all say? Let me know if you want that.

Also, Make It Right is my comfort song (alongside many others). It really helps me calm down. What are y'alls comfort songs?