Two.

Lara

My phone rings behind me sitting on the edge of the countertop, snapping me out of the memory-filled haze I was in.

The hurt from that day, when Elijah told me about Kol, started to creep back into my heart. I could feel the shock settling into my veins, and flowing through my body even though it had been months now since I found out.

I stood next to the kitchen counter, my feet planted on the cold wood cracked floor. my eyes scan the screen seeing familiar names and pictures. 

My eyebrows furrow.  

He hadn’t called in months and now here he was calling for the third time since yesterday.

I sigh staring down at the picture as my thoughts run away from me. I remember that day like it was yesterday actually.

He had surprised me with a trip to watch the sunset, the cotton candy clouds posing behind him…almost hiding.

The clouds knew they were nothing in comparison to him. 

The playful look on his face. I think about him not wanting his picture taken…he never wanted me to take his picture.

The sweet vacation-like thought stops immediately as realization sets in. He didn't like having his picture taken, not because he was shy, Kol wasn't shy. He didn't want his picture taken because he was—I couldn't say it out loud, and I couldn't even get myself to think the thought.

He was a criminal.

I silence my phone, even though I wanted to answer… just to hear his ‘hello’.

I make my way toward the steep stairs leading to my room. my sandy brown-colored hair tangled into a bun on the top of my head. I stare in the mirror, bags under my eyes-still tinted red from crying.

I quickly look away, flopping onto my bed and staring at the ceiling.

The large skylight above my bed, one of my favorite things about this place, now just reminded me of him…like everything did. I close my eyes, but the memories from the day on the boat drown me.

— Last August —

His large hands over my eyes as we walk along a creaky dock that was behind his beachfront house. The water splashes back and forth making this dock sway underneath us. 

"Kol…I’m going to fall,” I say through the smile on my lips as my hands reached out for him. He was walking behind me with his hands covering my eyes.

"Lara baby, just trust me. Do you trust me?" His lips were close to my ear as we walked down the swaying dock. I nod quickly, not giving it a second thought.

"Of course, I do I just-" I'm cut off as we stop walking, and he moves his hands. My heart racing as my eyes adjusts to the light. I couldn't contain the smile that found its way to my lips.

"Wait! Really?!?" I sounded like a little kid. I was so excited. I had been talking about watching the full moon from a boat for so long. we had talked about it a few times, but he actually planned it all out.

"No Lara, I just brought you here to get your hopes up...yes." He teased playfully. 

He flashes the smile that melts me as he pulls the boat key from his pocket. He dangles it in front of my face. 

"You ready?" His face was close to mine, ready to kiss me but instead, he reached down wrapping an arm around my side and picking me up over his shoulder. 

I let out a small screech, the dock moving underneath us as a wave pushed the dock back a bit.

"Kol!" I whine, but he keeps a hold of me tightly, stepping into the boat.

As his feet hit the boat floor a wave from a passing boat pushes a gush of water our way, making Kol sway backward and lose his balance, and fall forward, taking me with him.

We both hit the floor of the boat, instantly becoming tangled in each other. His wavy hair is all messed up as he stares down at me. I reached up, pushing his hair away from his face. 

Our laughter was almost on cue at the same time. "If you wanted to get it, you could've just said that," I smirk up at him, and he returns the look.

"Oh yah?" his head dips into the crook of my neck and he kisses my jaw. My hands instantly went to his hair. His rough voice causes goosebumps to rise on my skin as I tilt my head the opposite way, letting his lips sail across my skin.

I get lost for a second, like I always did with him.

His touch sent me to a whole different place. My eyes closed as my fingers tangled in his hair. I can't help myself, a small moan falling from my lips as his lips gently move to my neck. 

The smell of him was hypnotizing with the added feeling of his lips trailing down my neck, I was pretty much floating.

My hands leave his hair and trail down his back, to the bottom of the t-shirt that hung loosely on Kol's skin. I pulled it up, wanting it off of him. 

As he pulls away, it all comes back to me and I remember where we were. My cheeks heat up as I prop myself up on my elbows watching him stand up and pull his shirt off, his hair blowing backward from his face.

He grins down at me, the sun falling from the sky and landing on his eyes like that's where it knew it was going. My eyes locked on his, admiring the way the sun danced across his face. I stand up, holding his cheeks in my hands as I lean into his kiss.

Then just like that...the precious moment between him and I fast-forwarded so fast just to slow down to slow motion to the moment he drowned.

Right after he lifted me up out of the dark moonlight saltwater.

I remember moments after he got me back onto his boat, I spit up ocean water and looked back to where he was, just as he got dragged down by what I had believed to be a fluke whirlpool or strong current—at least that's what the coast guard had said after they spotted the red glowing flare in the night sky and found me.

He never emerged from the dark salty waves of the ocean.

I snap out of that sunny memory that ended gloomy, my eyes opening up to stare up at the window. The raindrops slide down the window, the gray sky staring down at me.

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. I felt so empty since he drowned-i mean left, I needed to get over the constant need for him.

I knew if he was back in town for good, I would eventually run into him. We did live in a small town, just outside of a larger one and that's where he spent most of his time anyway... I always wondered what he loved so much about the city. 

I think now, I knew why he was always disappearing into the busy streets.

...Sometimes he would come back, with a busted lip or bloody knuckles. I don't know how I was stupid enough to believe he worked in sales...well I mean technically he did work in sales…just not the type of sales I had assumed...technically he never clarified.

There I go again, trying to justify the lies he told.

I roll over and face the window across the room from me. I needed to get out of this house. I needed to be anywhere but here locked up in this apartment with my memories holding me hostage.

I was so afraid that if I left I would run into him, and I didn't know how to react when he was near me. I fought through the feelings of doubt and for the first time in a while I got ready.

I stare in the mirror, my wavy light sandy hair framing my face. I leaned down to the smaller mirror, running mascara across my lashes and calling it good.

I pull some high-waisted jeans up my legs, trying to at least feel good about myself before I leave the house. I dug through the closet and ended up settling on a cropped hoodie— I shrug at myself in the mirror. 

I just needed to get some air.

As soon as I'm outside it's like my mind clears and I can finally think straight— and I take a deep breath, letting the cold raining air fill my lungs. 

It was drizzling, but I knew at any moment wind from the ocean could push the rain clouds to their breaking point and it would pour.

I lowered my head, walking down the sidewalk not really sure where I was going. I watched as the cars passed by, not looking to see the faces of the drivers, afraid of who I might see.

I eventually stop walking when I realize where my subconscious has taken me. I stare forward at the house I'm now standing in front of. 

My dirt-covered black converse facing towards a large house I knew all too well. I couldn't pull myself away from where I was standing on the sidewalk.

Memories swirled through my head of how many nights I spent here, the first time I came here. 

I stepped closer to the wood exterior of the black-stained wood beach house. my fingers run across the railing on the front porch.

The fog was low in the sky, thunder cracking close to the ocean. I wrap my arms around myself, the icy wind blowing off the water making the cold creep in. 

I kept my eyes locked on the window on the top of the house.

Drowning in the memory of us when we would lay in bed and stare out that window, the sheet draped over our tangled bodies. messy hair, flushed faces, and swollen strawberry-red lips. his fingers dragged across my skin as music played softly in the background.

"Enjoying the view?" Kol's low voice makes me jump, holding myself tighter. My heart races and I feel my stomach drop. I don't turn around.

My eyes stayed locked on the window, I didn't want to face him. I don't know why I even came here, out of all places? 

Really Lara? I mentally scolded myself.

"I asked you a question, Lara Jane." His breath hits my neck as I hear the sand moving under his feet as he steps closer.

My heart was beating so loud I'm sure he could hear the thudding coming from my chest. I let my fingers tighten around my arms as I held myself.

I nervously chew on the inside of my cheek before I finally turn around, now chest to chest with him. 

I didn't realize he was so close.

I cleared my throat. "I- I'm- I didn't mean to- I have to go." I looked to the side behind Kol. 

I step forward but Kol's arm reaches out, stopping me.

"Yeah? Where do you have to go?" His brows raise.

"Anywhere but here. Why does it matter to you?" My eyes squint as I push past him a bit moving from his path, only for his hand to wrap gently around my wrist spinning me around.

"Look at me, please." His voice cracks, making me feel things I shouldn't.

I shouldn't feel bad for him.

After everything he did, I should tell him to fuck off... again.

"Look at you?!" I scoff. "Who are you?" I shrug, feeling anger bubble up in my chest. "I don't even know who you are." I faced him, stepping closer to him, challenging his stare, I stared back—finally making eye contact with him, I couldn't help but let my eyes fall down his face and land on his lips. My teeth sink into my own bottom lip as I stare at him.

"You know me, you know who I am." Kol's hazel eyes scan my face frantically as he tries to read me.

He was always good at that, but not now. I didn't want him to know anything about me. 

"You know me better than anyone-" I cut him off before he could finish.

"No." I shook my head in protest quickly but stepped closer so our chests were fully pressed against even others now. 

"No. I don't. I honestly don't. I used to think I knew who you were." I nodded. "I used to think I maybe knew you best actually.." A sarcastic laugh slips out. "But clearly I was mistaken." I pull my bottom lip into my mouth.

"Stop, fucking stop. Just quit! Are you kidding me?!" His eyes narrow at me and his fists ball at his sides as he raises his voice and a look of anger floods his face.

Seeing his reaction to my words was somewhat a relief.

I know it's bad but I wanted to hurt him like he hurt me.

"When I told you how I felt about you, I meant that." The wind blows his hair back, and mine into my face. My lips dry from the cold wind. I shiver as the clouds open up and it starts to drizzle again.

I watch the droplets of raindrops slide down Kol's face, and his face hardens as he keeps a grip on my wrist, holding gently.

"Really?" I scoff as it comes out. "You think I should believe a single word that comes from your lips Kol?" I look down. "Never again."

He blinked, looking down and for a second I thought I had won this argument. 

His hands move quickly to my face, his palms landing softly on my cheeks. His thumbs slid across my face and instantly without thinking I let my lips meet Kol's. His hands were holding my face, like he hadn't seen me for years, and this was the only kiss we would ever get to share again.

As soon as his lips hit mine I felt a wave of calmness like I hadn't felt since he drowned-I mean left, flood over me.

My hands find his jaw and I hold onto him, not wanting this to ever end.

The bliss was quickly blown away with the wind as his lips parted from mine, ready for the kiss to end but instead his large hands fell down my body and they rested on my lower back before sliding down.

"Jump, Daisies." Although it was only one word that fell from his lips I listened like it was important instructions that my life depended on—I didn’t catch that he called me Daisies, he always used to hum ‘Daisies making me crazy in a way to express that he loved me. 

Daisy was part of my middle name, Daisy-Jane. but I go by just Lara or Lara Jane...Kol finds it amusing.

My legs wrap around his waist, his hands sliding up my back. 

He held me close to his chest, his lips reconnecting with mine. He kissed me while fumbling with the doorknob. I hear the door click open and his weight shifts onto one leg as he kicks the door open, before the heavy door closes behind us.

A needy kiss holding our lips together. He spins us around and I fall gently against the door, he keeps me up with one arm, the other arm falling against the wall. I reach my hands downward, my shaking hands gripping the front of his jeans trying my best to focus on unbuttoning them while his lips slide down my neck.

Leaving marks on my skin he lets go of the wall and pulls my sweatshirt over my head, we were moving in fast-forward. My hands fly back down to his jeans finally getting the button undone. My eyes stuck on his hips as I admired the tattoos I had seen so many times before, but this time it was different.

I never wanted this to end, and I knew eventually it would and I would leave but for now, I just wanted to feel him. I hurriedly unbuttoned and pushed my jeans down, stepping out of them and tossing them to the side as he grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled it off quickly. His tattooed chest made my shaky breathing quicken.

I was so relieved that we had stopped here, not making our way into his room. The less formal this was the better. I didn't need anything bringing feelings back that I had worked so hard to get rid of…had I gotten rid of them?

"Baby.." His soft voice snaps me from my thoughts, he spins me around. The front of my body pressed against the door, his hand finding my hair. He tangles the long strands of my hair around his fist, as he hurries to push his jeans down with his other hand.

A small gasp escaped my lips, my eyelids closed tight and my palms pressed against the door as he gave me what I wanted. The feeling I had been thinking about since he drowned— finally fell over my body. His hips move as I lean my head forward and lean my forehead against the cold door.

I kept my mouth closed, not wanting to call his name. Not wanting to even make eye contact, hoping that would maybe help how I felt after this. His repetitive movements make my body quiver.

"Fuck," he curses as his hand moves from the wall to grip my hip roughly as his lips graze the skin on my back. I look back, seeing every muscle in his body flex with his rhythmic movement.

His hand that had a lasting grip on my hair pulled my head back a little bit. "Say it," his low voice close to my ear, before I feel the touch of his lips grazing my ear. 

"Say what?" I replied, acting like I didn't know what he meant.

He smirks, running his tongue across his teeth.

"Ah, that's how it's gonna be." He nods. His hand lets go of my hair and finds its way to my neck, his fingers wrap gently around it. His thrusts quicken and my eyes roll back in my head as I grab the wall trying to hold on to anything. My legs weaken, as I feel my stomach tighten.

"La- last chance." He breathes out heavily, trying to hide the pleasure in his voice. 

"Or wha-" My question was answered before I could even finish saying it. He pulled away from me, my eyes snapping open.

At that point, I would've said anything to get him back. "Kol," I whine, looking over my shoulder into his hazel eyes that drown me like a wave.

"Ask nicely," he smirks, his chest rising and falling quickly. 

"Kol please- please." As soon as the last please fell from my lips he did exactly what I was begging for. 

The force of his thrust pushes me harder against the door. Both of my hands were above me and pushed on the door.

A small groan followed by the feeling of Kol's hands landing on top of mine against the door makes me shiver. 

"Say it again," he smirks as his head falls into the crook of my neck, his wavy hair landing in my face.

I let out a small gasp and called out his name as we both felt the fire that was sparked from the flames of our bodies touching.

A feeling of euphoria flows through our veins as we become weak together.

Butterflies fill my stomach, and goosebumps cover my exposed skin. He spins me around and kisses my lips once again, his hand going to my cheek and gently rubbing his thumb across my skin. 

My breathing trying to slow down only quickens as I stare into his eyes.

"I-I can't believe I just did that...oh my god." My voice shakes as I push the hair from my face and grab my sweatshirt off the ground, pulling it over my head. I looked frantically for my underwear, only to look up and see Kol holding the black lace material from one finger.

He had pulled his underwear up and stood just staring at me. Haunting me with the discarded piece of clothing in his grip.

It was at that moment that I saw all the dark bruises healing on Kol's sides and trailing onto his stomach. the galaxy of purple marks on his skin reminding me of what I didn't know.

"Give me my underwear, Kol, now." I reach my hand out, snatching them off of his finger. I hurriedly slid them up my legs then after that, I pushed my hair behind my ears again. 

I move around frantically just trying to leave.

"Why are you in such a rush?" He moves his eyes from the ground to across the room to me.

"Remember when we used to make a fire on the beach, cuddled up together..." He licks his lips as he steps closer to me.

His large hand reached to my face and brushed the strand of hair back. "Do you remember?" His eyes fall from mine to my lips, his eyelashes fluttering closed as he leans in.

My mind races as thoughts of us together fog up my clear thinking. I try to remind myself those memories were of who he was, and not who he is.

All of those memories weren't with him, they were with who he was pretending to be.

I close my eyes and move my head to the side, grabbing my jeans. I pull them up swiftly and move towards the door, my heart aching for me to stop.

To stay, to let him hold me, to let him tell me everything was going to be okay, but it wasn't okay.

It never would be okay between us.

I hurry down the front porch steps and onto the pathway leading towards the street. My stomach drops and I stop in my tracks when I hear the door open. I don't turn around, I just stare towards the road.

"So that's it? You're never going to let me explain?" His words hit me like a wave as I stood frozen in the same spot. Although it was a question that he asked, it sounded more like a statement, because he already knew the answer.