The Waterpark- Part 29

I wake up and see that Carter’s side is empty. I call his name with no response. I check to see if I have any texts or calls from him. None. I go downstairs, to see if he’s down there. He’s not. His mom isn’t awake yet, so she probably has no idea where he is. I decide to check Instagram and Snapchat, just trying to pass the time. I call and text Jaime. No answer from him either. I take a shower, trying to pass more time. Do my homework. More time. Watch a movie. More time. I start to get worried. I call and text him nonstop. No answer. It’s been eight hours. I tell myself that he’s fine. That nothing bad ever happens in this town. But Carter’s glued to his phone 24/7. I take a nap, so my mind doesn’t conjure up the worst possible scenario.

I wake up to someone rubbing my arm. I look up drowsily. Carter starts to come into full view. I shoot up and kiss him. He’s startled but doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back. I start to kiss his neck. Taking in all of him. I stop kissing and wrap my arms tightly around his shoulders.

“ Hey, what’s wrong?” He whispers.

“ I was fucking worried about you. That’s what’s wrong.” I say, trying to sound mad.

“ Ok.” He laughs. “ Well look,” He says, pulling me off of him. “ I’m fine. I’m okay.” He kisses the top of my forehead and hands me a smoothie from the drink carrier.

“ Thanks.” I say, pushing the straw through the opening. He nods a “ you’re welcome.” I take a few sips of the smoothie, then look up at him.

“ Where’d you go?” I ask. He looks up from his phone.

“ I went to see Jaime.” He says, nonchalantly. I almost choke on my smoothie.

“ You what?!” I shout. He looks up, baffled. “ You’re telling me, that you drove three hours to see the one guy that you hate. Why?”

“ I was worried about him. And I knew you were to. I wanted us both to have peace of mind.” He says, innocently. I laugh.

“ Okay. An-” I start. He’s staring at me.

“ Marry me.” He states.

“ Um, what?” I stutter.

“ Marry me.” He repeats.

“ Carter, we’re 17! I mean, we’re not ready to get married!”

“ We don’t have to get married right away.” He counters. “ We can be engaged until we graduate college.” I struggle to find words.

“ Uh, I- what brought this on?” I stumble out.

“ When I went to see Jaime,” He sighs. “ he looked...I don’t know. Depressed? I guess. I asked him what was wrong and he said he ‘fucked up’. And I realized he meant you. I mean, he was so fucking depressed. His room was a mess, it looked like he hadn’t eaten in weeks. There were pictures of you all on the floor. Glass shatters on the bed and floor from where he threw them against the wall. A-and I realized that...I never want to feel that way. I don’t want to lose you. And while marriage doesn’t guarantee not losing you, it’s shows that I gave the relationship and you my all. Everything I had.” He finishes, with a sigh. My jaw hangs in awe.

“ Shay? Say something please.” He pleads.

“ Yes.” I say. “ Yes, Baby.” He laughs and scoops me up. He kisses me passionately. He stops abruptly.

“ A ring. I don’t have a ring. God, Shay I’m so sorry. I-”

“ Hey,” I turn his face towards mine. “ I don’t need a ring. I just need you.”

“ Are you sure?” He asks.

“ Yes baby.”

Second to last chapter guys! Wow! Thank you guys so much for all the support and kind words, it means a lot to me! Thanks for reading another chapter!💕❤️