Chapter 4: Close Calls

Aria's POV

When I wake up, Devon is already collecting branches. Sunlight filters through palm leaves, catching him as he sorts through pieces of different thickness.

Day three. We have a routine now. He handles the heavy work, I handle food and organizing. Some unspoken understanding between us.

Devon ties vines around branches, building a makeshift storage rack. I crouch nearby, sorting yesterday's coconuts and berries. He reaches up for a branch. Without thinking, I hand him the right size.

Devon takes it. "Thanks, babe."

Time stops.

His hand freezes. My breath catches.

I look up. "What did you just call me?"

Devon's face changes fast. "I... sorry. Old habit."

My heart slams against my ribs. Babe. He used to say it all the time. On set, at home, everywhere. Easy as breathing.

Five years. And it still slips out.

I look down, pretending to sort berries. My hands won't stop shaking. Devon turns back to his work, movements stiff now. The air between us feels thick.

I clear my throat. "Storage rack almost done?"

"Yeah. Almost." His voice comes out rough. That Boston accent heavier. His stress tell.

Ten minutes later, Devon stares up at a tall coconut tree. Ripe coconuts hang at the top.

"I'm getting those."

I frown. "That's really high."

"I've done higher stunts."

He's already climbing.

His arms strain as he pulls himself up. I stand at the base, watching. He gets about ten feet. His hand touches a coconut.

Crack.

The branch snaps.

I watch him fall. Everything slows down.

"DEVON!"

He hits the sand hard. Then nothing.

My legs move on their own. I drop beside him, hands hovering, not knowing where to touch.

"Oh my God... Devon? Can you hear me?"

He just lies there. Eyes closed. Face pale.

My heart's trying to punch through my chest.

Devon opens his eyes slowly. "Shit..."

Pain fills his voice. He tries to sit up but his arm moves wrong. He sucks in air sharp.

I see it. His left forearm. A deep gash where the branch caught him. Blood seeping out.

"Let me see."

My hands shake but I force myself steady. Girl Scout training. Stop the bleeding.

I tear off the bottom of my shirt and fold it. Devon's blood stains my fingers. I press down hard while wrapping. His face twists.

"Jesus, Aria..."

My eyes burn. "Why didn't you tell me it was that high? You could've broken your neck!"

Tears fall before I can stop them.

Devon sees me crying. His expression softens. "Hey, hey... I'm okay. It's just a cut."

"It's not just a cut. What if..." My voice shakes. "What if something worse happened?"

He reaches up with his good hand. His thumb brushes my cheek.

"But it didn't. I'm still here."

His hand feels warm. I close my eyes. More tears come.

For one second, I thought he'd fall to his death. My heart felt squeezed so tight I couldn't breathe.

Five years. I thought I was over this. But in that moment, my whole world was collapsing.

Online:

"ARIA CRYING I'M CRYING"

"The way he wiped her tears 😭😭😭"

"She CARES SO MUCH"

"Devon stop being reckless challenge"

Back at camp, Devon leans against the shelter, left arm wrapped in my shirt. I won't let him move.

"I feel useless."

I set down firewood. "You're injured. There's a difference."

I sit beside him, handing him coconut water. "Besides, you've been doing everything. Let me take care of you."

Devon looks at me. Something complex in his eyes. "You always took care of me, Aria. Even back then."

The words hit hard.

I remember. Love & Other Disasters set. Devon landing wrong on his ankle during a fight scene. His face going pale.

"You're going to the medic. Now."

"It's just twisted..."

"I don't care. Come on."

I helped him limp there. His arm heavy across my shoulders.

"That feels like a lifetime ago," I say quietly.

"Sometimes it feels like yesterday." His voice comes out soft.

Just waves filling the silence.

I stand. "I'm getting more water. Stay here and rest."

"Aria..."

"No arguments. I'll be fine."

I need space. His eyes make it hard to breathe.

I walk into the jungle with coconut shells. Late afternoon sun turns everything golden. The stream sound gets closer.

Devon needs rest. He got hurt getting food for us. At least I can do this much.

I step onto what looks like flat rock. Moss. Wet moss.

My foot slips.

"Ah!"

Cold water swallows me. The current's way stronger than expected. I can't grab anything.

Panic floods in. That summer camp memory rushes back. Eight years old. Water filling my mouth, my nose. I struggle hard.

Help! Someone!

But no one's coming. Just Devon. Devon's injured. He doesn't know I'm here.

Devon sits at camp. His heart suddenly races for no reason.

Something's wrong.

"Aria?"

No response.

He stands, ignoring his arm.

"ARIA?!"

Distant splashing. Faint.

He runs. His arm screams but he doesn't care. Crashes through branches. They scratch his face.

Please be okay. Please.

Devon bursts through to the stream. Sees Aria struggling. Her head surfaces then goes under.

He doesn't think. Just jumps.

The current slams his injured arm. He grits his teeth and swims toward her.

"I got you! I got you!"

Aria's panicking, grabbing too tight. Her nails dig into his shoulder. She's pulling him down.

"Aria! Look at me!"

Her eyes finally meet his. Brown and terrified.

"Breathe. I got you. Trust me."

Aria's body relaxes slightly. Devon pushes her toward the bank, climbing up after.

We both collapse on shore, coughing hard. I spit out water. My whole body shakes.

Devon kneels beside me, checking. "Are you okay? Did you hit anything?"

I'm still gasping. Then I throw my arms around him. Tight.

"I thought... I thought..."

I can't finish. Just cry.

Devon holds me. "Shh... you're safe. I'm here."

She's okay. She's alive. His arm's bleeding through the bandage. But he doesn't care. As long as she's okay.

We hold each other. I don't want to let go. In his arms, I finally feel safe.

By the time we get back, it's dark. We're soaking wet, hair dripping. Devon builds up the fire. I wrap myself in his shirt, the only dry thing. He's shirtless, firelight catching his muscles.

I notice his arm. "Your bandage is soaked."

Devon glances at it. "It's fine."

I frown. "It's not."

I grab spare cloth and move closer. Carefully unwrap the wet bandage. The wound looks deeper, waterlogged. I work gently, afraid of hurting him.

Devon watches me concentrate, biting my lower lip.

The firelight catches her face. Same expression she had five years ago helping me with lines. I want to kiss her so badly.

As I finish wrapping, my fingers don't pull away. They touch the tattoo on his left arm.

A compass. I never really looked at it before.

"I never asked... what does this mean?"

Devon's voice drops. "It's a compass."

I look up. "I can see that. But why?"

Devon stares into my eyes. "To remind me to find my way back."

My heart speeds up. "Back to what?"

His gaze falls to my lips. "To what matters."

The air freezes.

He's too close. I can see firelight dancing in his eyes. Feel his breath.

Devon's hand lifts, about to touch my face.

I stand up suddenly. "I... I should get more wood."

Devon takes a deep breath, hand stopping mid-air. "Yeah. Good idea."

I turn and walk into darkness, heart racing.

What am I doing? Why did I run? I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted it.

She ran. Again. Just like five years ago. Devon thinks.

I come back with wood. Devon sits by the fire, back toward me.

I sit down. This time, we sit back to back. Close, but neither of us turns around. Firelight dances between us. Waves roll in darkness.

Online:

"THEY WERE SO CLOSE"

"ARIA WHY DID YOU RUN"

"The compass tattoo meaning... I'M SOFT"

"Sexual tension is at 1000%"

"Just KISS already oh my GOD"