Don't Forget About Me

Chapter 6

Authors note: Sorry I haven't updated guys!! I am so busy with school and soccer. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
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     I missed the first game because I was still recovering, but coach was being very understanding. I'm just happy they won. And now I'm dealing with the fact it has been almost two weeks since I have even worked out let alone doing sprints. Normally, I am a few feet in front of Carter, but today I was struggling to keep up.

     "Come on babe you got this," he breathes heavily grabbing my hand and pulling me forward with him. We finish our last sprints and I collapse to the ground exhausted, while Carter brings me over some water," you're okay its just going to take a little while to get back into the swing of things. Let's play some catch." He hands me the ball. I grumble getting up but throw it anyway. One thing that will never change is that spiral that took me so many years to perfect. Carter catches it without effort and we continue this for awhile before I realize coach moving in our direction.

     "Skye I was wondering where your head is with the game coming up friday?" He questions.

     "I'll be ready Coach," I say matter of fact. No matter how I feel, nothing can stop me from playing.

     "Good to hear, because Carter was a little off last game without you," Coach chuckles.

    "Oh I'm sure he needed me," I smile back looking at Carter.

     "You know he is being sarcastic, but Coach is right, I did miss you babe," he winks and I roll my eyes.
      He has done a good job at keeping his promise which I am thankful for. It sounds bad, but he has been somewhat of a replacement for Duke, well not really since we only see each other in school and practice. We went through practice and let me tell you it was hard. H A R D. I walked into the locker rooms after unable to move. It seemed like everything hurt, even the things that I didn't know could hurt, hurt. I changed quickly avoiding the cheerleaders, who by the way haven't taken much of a liking to me. As I walk out I see Carter waiting.

     "Thanks for helping me today, I really needed it." I tell him as we walk in sync.

     "You did good for just coming back but today was hard so I was wondering if you wanted to go to the beach and just relax for a little bit?" He asks quickly, sounding a bit nervous.

     "That actually sounds really good but can we stop and get some food I am starving?"

     "Yeah I am too." We made our way to his car and I can't help but notice he seems very tense. "Hey Carter, are you okay you seem off?"

     He takes a second to look into my eyes and I can feel my breath hitch, as the mood changes. "I just can't get it out of my head, what I did to you," he sighs. This instantly makes me feel guilty. I mean, I told him I died and it was his fault and then I made him promise me something that he didn't want.

I take a deep breath before replying," It's not your fault. It never was, I don't know why I blamed you. You had nothing to do with it. It was all just an accident." As we pull down to the beach and park I notice how tight he is holding the steering wheel. He stops the car and looks over at me with the same intensity as before.

"I had a younger brother once. His name was Josh. He was a lot younger than me and I always felt responsible for him. I wanted to be his hero, and I hooed to god he looked up to me. And when I first got my license he begged me to take him to the ice cream store, and I couldn't say no. So we got our ice cream and ate and we had so much fun. Me and him we never fought I loved him so much. Well, I had to use the restroom so I told him to meet me in the car. When I went back out and he was gone, I wasn't there for two minutes and he was gone. It was all my fault. Who leaves their five year old brother alone in California? Seeing you get hit reminded me of him, I couldn't be responsible for taking another life. They never found him." He tells me trying to keep a straight face as I feel my heart break into a million pieces. This boy sitting next to me has felt so much pain and no one would ever know. I don't tell him I'm sorry. I don't tell him it wasn't his fault. All I do is get out and go around to open his door. As soon as I do he gets out and I embrace him in my arms.

"Come on let's go down to water," I grab his hand and we walk in a comfortable silence. "I lost my dad a few months ago, that's why we moved here. He was my hero."

     I lean into Carters shoulder and let myself cry, and as we watch the sun go down. He leans his head on top of mine and I swear I hear him sniffling back tears.
     We sit in silence, crying, listening to the waves, and seeing the sun drift into the horizon. I feel relief and freedom wash over me. This is what I need. Carter.
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So what did you guys think of Carter and Skye's moment here? Please leave your reactions in the comments I would love to know.