Today is one of the days I can escape the nightmare of school. Mariah's mom found out about the "unexplained absences" so I am not looking forward to spending the day alone. I'm sitting in the alleyway when I hear someone behind me. I turn around to see Zander's smiling face looking at me.
"What are you doing here?" I ask in complete shock
"Why, isn't it obvious, I'm here to spend the day with you of course," he responds with a smile," I have a surprise for you, I'm taking u to the beach!"
My smile fades, I don't know how to swim, I am 15, but my mom never bothered to teach me. I won't tell him that. He is so happy to be surprising me, I just can't bare to disappoint him. I put on a fake smile and agree, trying to figure out a way to get out of swimming.
"I have a boat, that we can take out," Zander says.
We walk hand in hand to my house so that I can grab a swimsuit and towel. Luckily, my mom isn't home, so I don't have to go through the back door. I walk inside and go into my room. I look through my drawers and suddenly realize that I don't even have a swimsuit. I am definitely not going to tell Zander because that might bring up suspicion. I run into my moms room and pick out a pretty black and purple bikini and matching flip flops. I knew I would get it from my mom later, but spending a day with Zander is worth it. I grab a towel and a brush and rush out to him.
"Do you mind walking, the boat is parked at the beach dock?" Zander questions.
"No problem," I respond. We walk hand in hand until we arrive at the beach. Zander's boat takes my breath away it is beautiful and I just can't wait to get in. I have never been in something so nice I am made to think I don't deserve anything quality. He starts up the boat and I sit in the passenger seat, looking at the clear blue sky against the many shades of the waving ocean. I am honestly having the time of my life when he suddenly stops the boat.
"Let's go for a swim now," he says.
He gets on his swim trunks and I look up at him smiling, then look down shyly. I take off my cover up and he looks at me in my bikini. He jumps in the water, making a huge splash.
"C'mon, it's not cold," he shouts when he sees that I don't immediately jump in.
I come closer, sitting on the edge of the boat, my feet just slightly under the warm water. I am 15 years old, I should know how to swim. Zander gives me a worried look and I know that if I don't get in it would raise suspicion. So I just trust that I will float, and jump in. For a minute I stay on the surface, I smile, feeling confident. But then, a small wave approaches. It knocks me under just a little, but I can't find my way back to the surface. I slowly float down, it is actually kind of of peaceful. Then I feel a hand grab mine and pull me up to the surface. I gasp for breath as Zander looks at me with a worried look on his face. Tears start streaming down my face and he holds me tight.
"What's wrong Aubrey, what happened?"
"Umm I can't swim," I say between sobbs
"Aubs you're fifteen, hasn't you mother ever taught you, I mean you live in California." That just makes me sob more.
" I just haven't ever liked the water." I lie. I can tell Zander doesn't believe me, but he is silent as we ride back. He walks me home and I am disappointed to see my moms car in the driveway. Zander gives me a light kiss on the cheek as I walk into my house. I cringe as she walks up to me.
"Why are u home so late you little brat? And your wearing my swimsuit! What's wrong with you, you disgusting freak?"
" I, I just went to the beach!" I whisper quietly.
She comes up to me and slaps me hard. I stand, shocked, she is always mean, but she never hits me like this. I take a couple steps back, my back slamming into the wall. She approaches me and kicks me twice hard in the stomach. I hunch over in pain.
"Now get in your room, I don't wanna see your face,"
I slowly limp to my room. I fall down onto my bed in extreme pain. My phone goes off and I read the text message from Zander. It says,
"Night Beautiful love you xoxo"
And through all the pain, I fall asleep with a big, wide smile on my bruised face.
YOU ARE READING
The Complicated Life of Aubrey Jones
Roman d'amourAubrey wants a lot. She wants her mom to be home more often. She wants to fit in, and for the bullying to stop. She wants a friend. But most of all Aubrey wants to find true love, a person who understands her, and who will love her for her. It's har...
