One Last Prayer

Part 15

We have walked several blocks and I start to wonder if we are walking aimlessly, or if we are going somewhere. I don't ask, because in all honesty, being anywhere with Chase takes the pain of everything else completely off my mind. Our hands are still intertwined together and he seems to keep looking down at them.

"Are we going somewhere?" I ask quietly.

He shakes his head without looking at me. "I just thought I would get you out of the house. We end up where we end up."

I look around at the houses in the neighborhood. I can't help but picture what my future is turning into. Will I have a chance to become something amazing without the financial or emotional support of either of my parents? Surely I will never be able to afford a house like one of these without a college degree.

"Are you bored?" He looks down at me with a frown.

"No." I shake my head too quickly. "I was just thinking." I look forward and try to pretend the thoughts in my head aren't going to drive me insane.

Chase points to an opening between two of the large houses that leads to the beach. "Let's go sit." I nod obediently and follow him as he pulls me to the pathway and onto the sand. My boots sink into the softness of the dry path that turns into beach territory.

We sit down before we get too close to the water. "What's on your mind?"

I look up at him before pulling my braid to the side, happy that I chose to pull my hair back because the wind is insane today. "Did you wear a condom?"

Chase looks forward and I can tell he's running through something in his mind. Maybe he's thinking about how stupid and impulsive we were to not be more protected just like I was earlier this morning.

"No. I don't really have those laying around." He looks down at me as he stretches his legs out in front of him. "I'm sorry."

I nudge him before looking forward again to watch the waves crash over each other. "There's nothing to be sorry about. You didn't do anything without permission." My voice sounds distant in my own mind.

"How are you handling everything? I mean, everything other than what we did."

I start to run my hands gently over the top of the sand. The sun has made it hot and mixed with the cold wind, it feels nice against my skin. "I miss my dad." I say honestly. For some reason Chase looks a little disappointed with my answer. "I miss my dad because he was really my only friend the last few months, and one of my only friends before that." I shrug. "But I don't miss him in the way that I'm eager to go home. I miss him in the way that I miss talking to my friend. I miss his advice, and his stupid jokes. I miss hugging him."

"You haven't been gone long. You'll probably be eager to get home after another week or two." He smiles and I can see that it's forced. He drops the smile quickly.

"I miss my dad. I don't miss my house as much as I thought I would. I know that when I find somewhere to go, even if it's back to my dad's house, I'll miss waking up to rolling over and seeing you on the floor."

He laughs and grabs a small pebble throwing it. "I won't lie. I miss my bed."

"I can take the floor tonight." I laugh softly pulling my knees to my chest.

"I wouldn't ask you to do that. I don't miss it that much." He leans into me nearly knocking me over before he sits up straight again.

I try to peak at him without being creepy. I admire the view for a few seconds before I look forward and keep the picture in my mind as long as I can. We sit silently and it's comfortable. It isn't awkward or like we need to force a conversation to fill the gaps of silence. I'm not sure how long we've been sitting here when I hear him speak again.