Learn To Trust (Sequel to Learn To Love)

Chapter 8

I run, faster than I've ever ran, until I arrive at that wooden door. I knock. No one answers. I knock again. I know Justine is in there. Finally, she opens the door,

"Carlie, hi... what's up?" She asks hesitantly.

"Where's Christine?" I ask. Her eyes widen.

"Resting." She stammers.

"Can I see her?" I ask, she shakes her head quickly.

"N-no, she's too tired..." Justine says. I raise an eyebrow,

"Right. Well, at let me see her. I don't need to talk, just see her."

"S-she's at the i-infirmary." Justine stutters, she's lying. I tower over her,

"Justine, tell me what happened." I say, my voice threatening and dripping with poison.

" She's dead okay? Dead." Justine cries out before collapsing on the ground. Oh my god. Christine is really dead. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

"I-is she having a funeral?" I ask, bending down. Justine merely shakes her head. I wrap my arms around her.

"I'll arrange one." I whisper.

"Really? " Justine asks, looking surprised. I nod,

"Of course I will." I smile sadly.

"Thank you. " She whispers.

"Thank you for telling me the truth. I-I already miss her." I murmur.

"We all do." Tears sparkle in her eyes. I bite my lip.

"I guess I'll get along to arrange it." I stand up,

"You guys can take a break this week. I don't need much help. I'll be alright." I whisper before running back to my room, breakfast forgotten. Andrea isn't there when I open the door. I collapse on my bed as the tears flow freely. I know my face is streaked with mascara and my lipstick is messed up, along with my hair, but I don't care. I hate to admit it but Christine was my favourite. I don't know what I'd do without her. I hear a knock on my door. I sniffle and wipe my face with a tissue, trying my best to fix the mess I call myself before I open the door. Jake. His gorgeous blue eyes are filled with concern and worry as he examines me, my face, my hair, my posture.

"Carlie?" He asks uncertainly. I just nod.

"Oh god, what happened? You weren't at breakfast and I was worried that you were sick or something, what's wrong?" He asks quietly as he wraps his warm, strong arms around me.

"My...my.." I can't get the words to come out of my mouth.

"Your what?" He asks softly, smoothing my hair back from my face.

"My maid. She's dead. The plague." I whisper. He gasps,

"And you didn't tell me?" He asks, seeming hurt.

"I just found out, Jake." I say quietly.

"Oh. I'm so sorry, Carlie." He whispers sadly,

"What can I do to help?" He asks softly.

"C-could... would you..." I trail off, wondering if he really would.

"I'd do anything for you. Anything." He says fiercely.

"I.. I want a proper funeral for her. I want her family to come." I tell him.

"Of course. Anything." He repeats. I manage a small smile.

"Thank you." I say softly.

"Always." He replies with a smile.

"Do... would...." I try to find the right words.

"Will you stay with me? Just for a while?" I ask pleadingly. He smiles again,

"Yes." Jake says as I open the door wider to let him in. I sit on my bed, fiddling with the silver locket at my neck, shining in the light streaming from my window. He sits next to me, pulling me closer to him. I breathe in his scent, comforting, pinetrees and mint.

"Are you hungry?" Jake asks quietly, my stomach grumbles in response. He laughs quietly,

"All right. I'll be right back." He stands up and leaves my room. I lie down on my bed and start to quietly sing the lullaby my mom used to sing, before she left me. She didn't die. She left me.

Deep in the meadow, under the willow

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow

Lay down your head, and close your eyes

And when they open, the sun will rise.

Here it's safe and here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you.

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away

A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray

Forget your woes and let your troubles lay

And when it's morning, they'll wash away.

Here it's safe and here it's warm

And here the daisies guard you from every harm

And here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you.

I hear a creak in the wood that makes my door frame. I look up and see Jake leaning against the painted white wood with a small grin and a plate of eggs. My favourite.

"That was... beautiful." He whispers. A small, light pink blush warms both my cheeks.

"Thanks." I murmur, he steps closer and hands me the plate of scrambled eggs with cheese melted on top.

"You're welcome." He says with another grin. I take the fork as well and start to eat hungrily. They taste different from the kind I usually eat at the table.

"Are they different? They taste different." I announce. At this, his cheeks turn a bright, crimson red.

"Oh... um I made them, everything was already eaten." He admits, still blushing. I smile,

"I didn't know you cooked." I tell him.

"Are they okay? I'm not that good of a cook but everyone looked busy." He says, looking a little worried. His concern for the staff warms my heart. But... I sigh and shake my head,

"They're not very great." I admit, his face falls.

"That's all right. I know." He sighs. I break into a smile,

"They're amazing! Personally, even better than the ones the cooks make." I state. His face once again brightens, no... it shines, glows with happiness. Who knew a small compliment could make someone so happy? I scarf down the eggs, forgetting my manners. He waits patiently, sitting close to me. I finish quickly and set the plate on my night stand. I'll bring it back to the kitchen later. The air between us grows tenser, heavier. I lean in and brush my lips against his. A raging fire burns within me, wanting more. Always more. His arms lock around my waist and mine, around his neck. Our lips move in sync. I close my eyes, savouring the sweet moment. He pulls and I look up into his beautiful eyes. He whispers, ever so quietly,

"I love you."

A:N: OMG I AM SO SO SO SO SORRY I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN FOREVER! FORGIVE ME DARLINGS!!!!!!!!!!! I'VE BEEN SO BUSY! BUT I DECIDED TO GIVE YOU A PRESENT: SOME CAKE! BTW I MEAN CARLIE AND JAKE, THEIR SHIP NAME NOT ACTUAL CAKE, SORRY. OKAY BAI. HEY DID YOU KNOW MY NAME IS VALERIE? YEAH SO I HAVE A NEW GOODBYE. IT'S : STAY FABULOUS, VALERIE. SO...

STAY FABULOUS,

VALERIE. :)