That One Summer

Chapter Five - "A Leap of Faith"

     We both glanced at each other awkwardly. I just met him a few hours ago! “Mom? Are you sure?” I asked. She nodded and looked at Frankie. “You have very beautiful hair young lady.” she muttered. “Mom, when was the last time you had your eyes checked?” I asked, suppressing the bubble of laughter. “I broke my glasses in the move, I'm getting new ones next week.” she muttered, squinting at the blushing Frankie.

     I chuckled and grabbed their wrists. “Come on girls, we should go upstairs.” I spoke softly, glancing at the glaring Frankie. Beth was now pursing her lips, trying to not laugh. They both nodded and we jogged upstairs.

     I slumped down on my bed, while Frankie and Beth sat on either side of me. “Truth or dare?” asked Frankie, looking at me hatefully. I wasn't that stupid, of course I was that crazy. “Dare.” I blurted, barely able to contain my words. “I dare you to have fun.” he muttered, looking down at his hands. “What?” Beth and I asked in unison. “You are the quietest, craziest, and most dull person I've ever met,” he spoke loudly, as if trying to make a point. “And yet, I just met you. Tell me O'Dell, when was the last time you had fun?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

     I shrugged, I didn't want to tell them that the most fun I had was at my cousins ninth birthday. “It just so happens, that Brandon Sharp is having a party at his mansion.” he teased. Beth smirked and climbed over to the window. “You got a curfew O'Dell?” he asked. I nodded, it was about half an hour ago. “Ten thirty.” I yawned.

     His eyes lit up, it was almost scary. “Are you just going to call me O'Dell?” I asked, glancing at Beth who was pushing the window open. “Yes, would you prefer Miss. O'Dell?” he scoffed. I shook my head quickly, my eyes glued on Beth. “What are you doing?” I asked cautiously. Beth scoffed and jumped out the window. “Ladies first.” I joked, smirking at Frankie.

     He made a slight growling noise before jumping out the window. I crawled over my bedsheets and swung my legs out the window. My deathly fear of heights kicked in, I started feeling light headed and dizzy. “Jump, I promise I'll catch you!” yelled Frankie. I closed my eyes and pushed off the window. That was the first leap of faith that summer, the first time I trusted my instincts and listened to my friends. That was the start of the best summer ever.

      I'm not sure what I felt as I fell, adrenaline, freedom, life. I knew I was scared, I just put all my trust into someone I just met. But when I opened my eyes, he was there.

     His hands were wrapped around my waist, his eyes bore into mine. I ignored the jolts of electricity that shot up my arms. “I told you, I caught you.” he whispered. His eyes never left mine, and he didn't seem to eager to put me down. “Guys! Let's go!” whined Beth, stomping her foot into the grass. He seemed to snap out of it because he slowly put me down. My legs were wobbly and I forced myself to balance out.

     “Who's ready for a party?” asked Frankie.

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Sorry for the short chapter! The next one will be longer since I'll have a chance to write more.