*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

After everyone was done and ready we changed back into swim gear and found all of the flashlights we had brought. Kamalei grabbed 2 ziplock bags putting her phone and a lighter inside them both. Her and Jimmy had gone wild busting out all of the glow sticks and stringing them around everyone’s necks. She looped one over my head, straightening it out.

“You and the glowsticks.” I said shaking my head.

“Trust me its dark. You’ll thank me for it after.” She smiled patting my chest.

We made our way down to the cave, and I instantly knew she was right. It was so dark just getting to the area with the cave and down the path even with our flashlights. Val slipped at the bottom and I heard Matt catch her as her flashlight rolled further down. Kelly picked it up and handed it back to her as we all stood looking at the small pool entrance to the cave. Kamalei shined her light on the pool and we were in luck, the water was red.

“Holy shit.” Johnny said surprised.

“You’re in luck boys. We came on a dark night.” Kamalei said taking her slippers (I literally hate the words flip flops, we don’t use those words here either) off and double checking her bagged phone and lighter.

“Is it safe to get in that?” Val asked.

“They’re tiny little shrimps. They don’t bite or anything. They’re like visible planktons I guess.” Kamalei replied sitting on the rock closest to the edge of the pool.

I slipped off my slippers too and climbed over to the rock and sat with her for a minute.

She grabbed my hand in hers, “Ready Zacky boy?”

I nodded and let her drag me into the freezing water, “HOLY CRAP IT’S FUCKING COLD!” I yelled when I came up for air.

“Oh I guess I should have mentioned that.” Kamalei said laughing.

“Can you feel those things?” Matt asked looking at them.

“Nope. Come on M. Don’t be such a pussy.” I replied.

Everyone else slowly got in the pool with us. The space was small without 8 people in it and now it was really cramped.

“Alright are you guys ready? Kamalei is going to lead us in, so stay as close to one another as you can. Maybe we should hold hands and pull each other in so no one gets lost or anything?” Kelly asked Kamalei.

“Yeah good idea Kells. Everyone hold hands and make sure you hold your breath just before you go under. It’s not far but I don’t want anyone to pass out or anything. We ready?” Kamalei asked as she turned on her flashlight.

We all nodded and I grabbed her hand, Val grabbing my other hand, probably because she wasn’t as good at holding her breath. Kamalei dove down under the surface with me following her. I could barely see anything except her light and the glowsticks. I turned back and saw everyone else’s glowsticks as well. She led us deep down under the ledge. We came up into another small space. I pulled Val thru and the rest followed her. I looked around and Kamalei showed us quickly where the princess and her servant sat where the chief had seen her.

Kamalei grabbed my hand again and climbed up the other small ledge on the back of the cave, “Go down feet first. There’s water on the other side but slide and be careful.”

She pulled me down sliding after her and a sudden rush of the freezing water hit me again. This time the rocks had a bigger opening for all of us to sit up on. She climbed towards the back again and I followed her as the others came thru.

“This is so cool little one.” Jimmy said climbing out of the water.

“We have one more chamber and then we are in all the way. This one we should link up again. It’s a little bit of a dive again.” She said holding my hand yet again.

I love the softness of her little hands. They’re so tiny compared to mine. If I have to dive and jump into caves to hold this girl’s hand, then I’m in.

We all held hands again as Kamalei led us into the pool in the back of the cave and dove deep down under. Again I was thankful for those glowsticks. She was right, they were a great idea. When we came up on the other side it was even more beautiful than I thought it would be. There was a large space for all of us to sit and as I walked up with my flashlight, I saw someone had candles left behind on the edges of some of the rocks. There were a small amount of plants growing down from the ceiling of the cave but other than that there was no other plant life.

“Wow Lei, this is beautiful.” I said turning back to her as she was fishing out the lighter from her plastic bag.

“It’s so romantic. I can’t believe such a tragedy happened here.” Val said walking around.

“Just wait. It gets better.” Kamalei said as she started to light the candles all around.

Everyone found a spot on the dry rocks before Johnny started handing out beers from a bag I had no idea he had.

“There’s only 2 for each of us, so don’t get greedy. Those were heavy.” Johnny stated.

“Especially for you short shit.” Matt joked.

“Don’t be mean Matt. He at least thought to bring them.” Kamalei snapped at him as she lit the last of the candles.

“Thank you Lei.” Johnny said smugly.

Lei came and sat next to me with Matt on the other side of her. Val was right, it was really romantic with all the lights.

“This is amazing Lei. Thank you so much for bringing us all here.” Matt said kissing the top of his sister’s head.

“You’re welcome brother.” She replied laying her head on my shoulder.

I looked over at her, “You were right. These were a great idea.” I said holding the glowstick out.

“Told you Zee.” She said reaching into her bag again and getting out her phone.

She held it out in front of her and I snapping a picture. Then she grabbed Matt and Val and we all scrunched together as I took her phone and took the picture of the 4 of us.

“Oooooo me too. Me too!” Jimmy bounded over and lay across all 4 of us, Johnny taking the phone and snapping the pictures.

After a few more combinations of people switching in and out of pictures, Kamalei finally put her phone and lighter back in her bag. By then I had already finished my beer, looking down I grabbed Kamalei’s empty one too exchanging them with full ones in Johnny’s bag. Jimmy was climbing up the 15 foot wall at the back of the cave, while Johnny was lying on his back looking at the cave ceiling. Brian and Kelly were off in the corner of the cave talking quietly to each other, as Matt and Val held onto each other in the water making out, leaving Kamalei and I somewhat alone.

I looked at her profile as she sat at the edge of the water looking down into the cold pool of water. Her reflection in the water mirrored her beauty. I came up behind her and sat down next to her, handing her a drink.

“What are you thinking about?” I asked her quietly.

“Just……stuff.” She sighed.

“Stuff is good. Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really Zee. Is that ok?” she turned and looked at me her eyes looking like she would burst into tears at any moment.

“Yeah of course. Do you want me to go?” I asked her, hoping she would say no.

“No. I just want to sit if that’s ok.” She replied.

“Alright.” I said wrapping an arm around her.

She turned and wrapped her arms around my neck. I could feel her hot tears roll down onto the side of my face as she cried quietly. I rubbed small circles on her back trying to soothe her. After a few minutes she looked up and her hazel green eyes met my green ones. She looked back and forth between them before I saw her eyes travel down to my lips. I watched as she licked her lips slightly as I let my eyes travel down to her plump lips too. Her breath hitched at how close we really were to one another. I could feel her hot breath on my face as I slowly leaned closer closing my eyes.

“HEY! I’m out of beer! Let’s go!” Johnny cried out as he dug thru the bag of empty bottles.

She quickly jerked away, her arms releasing my neck instantly as she started to stand up.

Are you fucking kidding me Johnny?! Are you fucking serious?! I will fucking kill you, you short shit. I was so fucking close to tasting those sweet lips of hers. SO FUCKING CLOSE!

I sat there for a minute before shaking my head and rubbing the back of my neck, standing up. Kamalei’s cheeks were a bright red as she turned away from me, chugging the rest of her beer and putting the empty bottle in Johnny’s bag.

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you all red?” Kelly asked her friend.

“The beer.” Kamalei responded without a hesitation.

Her answer made me a little mad but I didn’t know what answer she could have given Kelly with her brother standing there. I drank the rest of my beer adding it to Johnny’s bag before quickly putting distance between us. I must have looked somewhat guilty because as Matt passed at me he looked at me questionably. Kamalei saw the look he gave me and quickly started going over the instructions to go back thru the caves again. Kelly went around the room and blew out the candles.

Kamalei slid her hand into mine, “Ready?” she smiled at me.

“Whenever you are.” I replied as she jumped into the water.

Back at the cabins we had all changed and showered again and were sitting out by the fire again. The night was cooler than I remembered before we went down to the cave and I went in the cabin to get a blanket for Kamalei. I came out and she was sitting on the picnic bench, sure enough shivering in her shorts and hoodie.

“Here. I knew you would be cold.” I said opening up the blanket and covering her legs with it.

She looked over at me and saw I had goosebumps on my legs, “Get in here Baker. You’re obviously cold too.”

We snuggled together to get warm and Jimmy shot me a smirk from across the fire. We all kept drinking and drinking, slowly one by one everyone started heading off to bed until Matt, Val, Kamalei and I were the last ones.

“Hey we’re going to head to bed. You guys put out the fire?” Matt asked.

“Sure big brother. Love you.” Kamalei answered.

“Love you too. Behave.” He said coming over and kissing the top of her head before shaking my hand.

Val gave us hugs before following Matt up the stairs of the patio and into the cabin.

I looked over to Kamalei as she took another sip of her beer. The fire illuminated her face and I was brought back to the memory of in the cave. As much as I wanted it, I knew that I had to give her time. I still didn’t even know why she was crying before.

“Do you feel any better now?” I asked her.

“Huh?”

“You were upset earlier. I’m just wondering if you feel any better now than you did.” I said.

“Oh, yeah. I feel a bit better. I’m just kinda sad.” She replied.

“Do you mind if I ask why?” I treaded lightly.

“It’s just I can’t believe I was pregnant. There was a baby in me. Now there isn’t. I almost wish I never knew. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt my heart so much if I didn’t know.” She confessed to me.

“I’m sorry Lei. I really am. You can always have a baby with someone better. You deserve much better.” I told her sipping my beer.

“That’s true. I didn’t really think of it like that. Micah doesn’t deserve me or my baby. Thanks for turning that around for me Zee.” She said sadly smiling at me.

“Cheer up Lei. We have beers and you have me, your best friend to keep you company.” I smirked at her, earning a giggle.

“Alright Zacky. Let’s get drunk.” She said standing up and almost falling back down.

“Looks like you are already a little drunk. Why don’t we do that great idea you said you had?” I said holding her hand as I stood up with her.

“Ok. We have to be quiet though. Can’t wake up Matt and Val.” She lightly slurred setting her beer down on the table.

She pulled me into the cabin and into the bedroom.

“Ok, grab that side and we’re going to take this out onto the patio.” She whispered as she picked up one side of the bed.

We hauled one out and then another putting them out on the patio next to each other. She went back into the cabin quietly and grabbed more blankets and the pillows, tossing them onto the beds.

“Now we can sleep under the stars my Zacky boy.” She said as she lay down on one of the beds. “But first, let’s drink some more.”

I followed her back down the stairs and we sat by the fire drinking even more. Hours must have passed because the fire was slowly dying out as we joked and laughed about her brother, Jimmy’s crazy antics, and Kelly and Brian’s new sex life.

“Come on my Lei girl. Let’s put this fire out before our drunk asses fall in it and burn to death.” I slurred.

“But my Zacky boy…” she slurred back trailing off.

I waited for her to finish before realizing she wasn’t going to, “Yes, Lei girl?”

“I forgot.” She laughed drunkenly.

Her laugh was infectious and I couldn’t help but laugh with her. She tried to stand up, but her bad leg gave out on her and she started to fall before I caught her. She looked up at me smiling from ear to ear.

“Oh Zacky, you truly are my hero.” She giggled going back to our dramatization from earlier at the beach.

“Oh my darling, what would I do if you had fallen?” I theatrically dipped her down in my arms.

“Fall down too?” she laughed more, making me laugh.

I stood her back up, “You able to walk?”

“Yes Zack. I’m not a baby.” She slurred.

She took another step and started to go down again. This time I swept her up in my arms, cradling her like my bride.

“I guess I’ll just have to carry you.” I smiled carrying her to the stairs.

“Don’t drop me my sweet Zacky boy.” She said putting her hand softly on my cheek.

I set her down on the bed outside before tripping and falling down the few stairs. She had clamped a hand over her mouth as she laughed hysterically at me and I couldn’t help but laugh at how dumb I probably looked. I grabbed the water bucket and put the fire out before coming back up the stairs.

“I’m sorry Zacky. Are you ok?” she asked between her giggles.

“I’m fine.”

“Yes you are.” She slurred.

“What? You’re drunk Lei. You don’t even know what you’re saying now.” I told her.

“I know what I said.” She said looking in my eyes.

I broke my eyes away from her, “Where’s your sleep clothes? You’re going to be uncomfortable like that.”

“Take me in the room with you please.” She said holding her arms up.

I scooped her up like I had before and carried her into the bedroom. She dug around in her bag grabbing her clothes and started stripping off her hoodie and shorts right in front of me. I couldn’t help but stare in my drunkenness at her sexy curves. Her black lace bra and panties were so sexy on her and I could feel myself getting hard in my shorts just looking at her. I put my head down and turned around hoping she didn’t catch me staring as she took off the rest of her clothes, changing.

“Come on Zee. Let’s go back outside. I want another beer too.” She whispered.

I picked her up again and carried her outside setting her on the beds before grabbing 2 more beers for us. I sat down on the bed with her as she rearranged the blankets and pillows. I couldn’t stop looking at her in the dim light of the moon and stars. Some strands of her hair fell in her face and I couldn’t resist reaching out and tucking it behind her ear. She looked up at me smiling.

“Zacky?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad you were there when I woke up.” She said out of nowhere.

“Me too.” I replied.

She scooted closer to me, putting the blanket over our laps. When she put her head up, she collided into mine at the same moment. I reached out and rubbed her forehead, checking that she was ok. She reached over and did the same before letting her hand slide down to my cheek. We were so close to each other again, like in the cave. I played with my snake bites with my tongue and watched her eyes trail down to them. Her breath hitched again as I leaned in and connected our lips. Her hand went from my cheek to the back of my hair, tangling her fingers in it, as she pulled me closer to her, kissing me back. I felt her tongue trace one of my piercings as she begged me for entrance which I gave her instantly. We kissed passionately as I brought my hand up cupping her cheek, loving the feeling of our lips together.

A loud sound in the cabin startled us both, causing us to break apart quickly and look. Matt had reached over and knocked the small alarm clock off of the bedside table as he slept. I looked back at Kamalei, her face flushed from embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.” I said quietly to her.

“It’s alright. Maybe we shouldn’t say anything about that.” She said her face turning even redder.

“Ok.” I said as I started to get up from the bed.

“Where are you going?” she slurred.

“I was going to go in and sleep on the bed in there. I figure you don’t want me here.” I told her.

“Lay down Zee. We’re just drunk.” She said pulling my hand down as I climbed back in the blanket.

She lay down and snuggled up to my side. I wrapped my arm around her as she put her hand on my chest.

After a few minutes I spoke quietly to her, “Lei…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. We’re drunk. I hope this doesn’t make it weird…”

I waited for her to answer me as I looked up at the stars. I caught a glimpse of a shooting star in the sky, making a wish.

Please let this work out. Please if she doesn’t feel like I do, then let it not be weird… I can’t lose her.

I looked down to her, her head on my shoulder; I heard her soft breathing as she slept. I kissed her forehead where we had bumped and looked up to the sky, the alcohol in my system finally taking over as I fell asleep under the stars with the girl of my dreams.

Notes

Sorry for my serious slacker-ness. I have been trying hard to write some chapters in advance and I am getting a little stuck plus work and some family issues are holding me up as well. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I would LOVE to hear what you think as this one has a little bit of romance in it... Sorry that the pictures I linked aren't any with the red water, but you can't really find any since it is a nighttime thing. Hope you guys liked it though! Please leave me some comments about it! <3 <3 <3 ya guys!