Out of the Blue

The Truth from Cheryl

Lea’s POV

I stood by the beach quietly; the sun’s beam was what I missed the most. The beach was the last place I went outside before being taken away from Abbeydale. Paige, Caylah and Nathan were sitting behind me on a position they always do when we go here. It felt like we were back at the old days. Paige was wearing a batch t-shirt from her high school years with black torn pants. Caylah was wearing a surplice with a tank top underneath it with some blue denim shorts. Nathan was wearing a gray shirt, leather jacket, black pants and converse.

A shadow was building up behind us. Long hair was being blown by the wind. Nathan stood up and walked towards the silhouette from the entrance to the beach.

“Who do you think it is?”

Paige gave me a weird look and stood up.

“IDK Caylah – I think it’s some kind of slut”

She walked towards them and ran back after two minutes.

“Yep – it’s the creepy, slutty stalker”

We gave her a strange look.

“Cheryl Diggory”

I pushed her away and stomped to the spot where they were standing. Cheryl’s hands were gripped tight on Nathan’s arm. I pinched her arm and gave her a glare.

“What the f*ck is that?”

She turned to me and made a disgusting look.

“Oh you again – Nate, can you give me and Lea some time to talk”

Nathan walked away from us and sat down on our spot. I pulled her behind the rock and pinched her arm again.

“You stay away from my man, Lea. He’s mine. You might think he’s yours but he’s mine. I had him first before you did”

“’You had him first’? I was the first one to know him – I’m Ellie Collins”

“Please – Ellie Collins died when she was taken away. Nathan came back at their house, which was next to ours, with blood on his shirt and on his hands. He said that he embraced Ellie in a hug when she was stabbed with a knife by Caroline Collins a.k.a her step-mom”

I rolled my eyes and looked back at her.

“I’m Ellie Collins – I’ll prove it to you. What facts did Nathan said about her? Something that rare and no one can get it. Ever”

She gave me a mean smile and raised her eyebrow.

“Ellie has a birthmark on her shoulder that’s shaped like a dagger with thorns and vines twisting around its handle”

Yes – I have that kind of birthmark. It was weird but my dad said it was a blessing. I pulled up my sleeves and showed her my birthmark. Her eyes widen and looked at me – it was like the logo of the Capulet in ‘Romeo X Juliet’. An episode I used to watch when I would travel in Asia for my job.

“That’s impossible – Eleanor Collins is dead”  

“She did not – Nathan must’ve woken up with him or Asteria wounded. If it was Asteria, then he must’ve helped her then he got home with blood everywhere on him. But if it was him, that’s also a good explanation. But – how can Nathan say something about me being dead? Maybe he just said that because he knows that you hated me since we were in middle school and you wouldn’t celebrate about me being sent away”

“If you’re Ellie Collins – then stay away from him. He was mine before you had him. You’re stupid Ellie – he was asking you out at the beginning of summer and you said ‘No’. That’s the dumbest idea I might had thought of if I was you”

“Cheryl Diggory, why do you even hate me? I didn’t do anything wrong, right? What’s your problem with me?”

She remained quiet and crashed on the sand.

“Everything about you – you’re well known for school because of that stupid rumor. You’re even pretty without makeup. You get friends without paying them. Now – look at you – you’re a celebrity’s sister”

I sat down in front of her and held her hand.

“You should’ve just told me – it made more sense if you did. We would’ve been your friends, you’re beautiful without makeup; and how did you know it was only a rumor?”

“Have you ever heard of eavesdropping – also even I thought you guys were dating because he kissed you in the hall when we were thirteen. You guys are always together and the two of you always needed some private time. So – that showed everyone that you were dating”

We let go of each other’s hand and sat down beside one another.

“It was also stupid of how I got jealous because you were in the front page of the school newspaper when we were in eighth grade”

I laughed at her chosen words and looked down at the ground.

“That was a photo taken out of contact – we were talking alone that time. They must’ve followed us when we walked to the beach”

“Oh wow – that moment was stupid”

We both laughed and stood up.

“Okay – we had a talk. But – I haven’t introduced myself properly and we don’t know each other that much, so let’s start. Hi, I’m Eleanor Collins – call me Lea”

She shook my hand and smiled.

“Nice to meet you Lea – I’m Cheryl Diggory”

I walked back to our spot with her beside me. Nathan’s eyes had a bit worry on them when he saw her.

“Lea – what’s going on?”

“Nate, don’t be too melodramatic. We’re good now. And please be nice”

Me, Cheryl, Caylah, Paige and Thalia were roaming around my old-attic-bedroom talking about college. I had like two weeks and five days before I needed to leave for college. It would be the worst day at the end of the month – because I promised Tom that I was gonna meet my dad before I had to leave for college.

Hanna made a deal with him and it was to tell my dad at the end of summer that she knows where I was so my father would know I’m still alive.

I wanna see my dad again but how if he doesn’t like Nathan? 

Well – my dad never met Nathan. He had gone missing since we were young. Also – I was still mad at him – he left me with Caroline who had treated me like I was nothing. 

“Did you agree with Tom’s deal with you about talking to dad before summer ends?”

Thalia gave me a strange look before we were stormed in by the boys, who disturbed the silence.

“Hey guys – sorry but we miss raining on parades”

“Don’t miss it Jay – you always rain on our parades”

Thalia gave me a high-five before running towards Jay and pecking his lips. We all gave them several of disgusted comments and weird looks from everyone.

“Oh c’mon guys – you all aren’t single anymore”