That One Summer

Chapter Three - "The Indie Goth Girl"

     The next morning I crawled out of bed, forcing myself to stay conscious. I'm not a morning person, at all. I took a shower and blow dried my hair. I decided to leave it down and wavy. I walked downstairs and outback where Hunter was bouncing on the trampoline. A girl sat at the edge of it, she didn't seemed to amused with Hunter doing flips. Her black hair fell to one side of her neck, a variation of dark purple and red streaks crossed through it.

     Her ears had about four piercings each, she wore a thick black eyeliner and black eye shadow. Her sickly pale skin reminded me of Jake. She smiled at me, her purple lipstick was very much visible from here. She wore a pair of ear buds and waved at me. I walked up to her and she jumped up. “I'm Beth!” she yelled, possibly because of the ear buds. “Beth Gage.” she spoke softer as she pulled her ear buds out.

     “Skylar O'Dell.” I muttered. She narrowed her eyes, I knew what she was about to say. “Yes, my grandfather was Irish.” I sighed. She smiled and glared at Hunter. “She's prettier than you said.” Beth said while chuckling. Hunter stopped a flip in midair and fell onto the trampoline. His face flushed red. “I, er… I didn't …” he started to stutter and I chuckled. “Beth is my goth indie friend.” he started rambling. “And then there is Frankie, but you haven't met him yet. He's funny, you should meet him. Maddie is nice, she and Beth got into a fight once. And when I said you were pretty, I wasn't going to say you were gorgeous because I was already making a fool of myself. And--”

     In that time, Beth had climbed onto the trampoline and clasped her hand over his mouth. “Sorry, he does this when he's nervous.” she growled. I nodded, trying to not burst out laughing. “You have an interesting set of friends.” I teased Beth. She nodded and continued to cover his mouth. “Maddie and I don't get along, but other than that, yes.” she chuckled.

     I noticed the looming could over us. A loud strike of thunder rolled past us and the pouring rain soon followed. Lightning flashed in the distance and I jumped at the sound. Beth let her hand go and glared at the clouds. “I hate rain.” she sighed. I put my hood up to my jacket and Hunter started doing flips on the trampoline again. Each time his feet smacked the fabric, a tunnel of water flew around him.

     “Stop it!” cried Beth, she slipped and bounced back. I tilted my head to observe them. The strangest people by far.

     I peeled off my jacket and ran twords the trampoline. I pressed my fingers against the metal rim and flew onto the row of springs. My back screamed in protest as I pushed myself up. I tried to steady myself but I couldn't with Hunter jumping. The scene was just too good. Beth slipped and tumbled across the water while Hunter did flips. I gripped the net and closed my eyes. I heard the boom of thunder and the crack! of lightning.

     “Skylar!” screamed Hunter. When I opened my eyes, Hunter was slipping and skidding twords me. I tried running but my feet disobeyed and I fell backwards. Hunter fell and crushed me. I gasped for breath as he struggled to get off my stomach. “Beth!” I cried. She pulled his feet while I pushed his shoulders. He struggled to stand up.

     My stomach needed CPR. I rolled over and clutched my stomach with my hands, I was wheezing from lack of oxygen. “You crushed her!” cried Beth. I stood up shakily, my stomach throbbing in pain. “I'm so sorry!” he promised, backing into the net. “Have you ever played Truth or Dare?” I asked.