One Wish For Summer

Chapter 4

RORY!!!" I yelled his name as I ran to him. While picking him up he fell back down, coughing and crying. I let him lay where he was and turned my attention to the scum of a human I once called a friend. All I could see was red. I didn't care if Kaia was dating him anymore, I was not about to sit and watch all this unfold. I rushed at him with extra strength in each stride, fueled by rage. With a well executed tackle, we both fell to the ground. My fists were aching to teach this punk a lesson. I kept hitting him, over and over and over again.

"Why?!" ""WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?!" I shouted at the top of my voice, still hitting him repeatedly. In the background I could hear muffled voices but completely focused on dishing out some pain, I made no effort to listen to what was being said. More than enraged I kept going, my knuckles beginning to hurt from thier contact with bones. But why? Why would he do any of this? Sure he was a little hotheaded but not to this extent. Then again I wasn't the biggest fan of her dating him for this reason. He can be unpredictable. But was it mostly because I loved her first? Kaia and I used to be so close, but when I opened up about how I felt, it was clear she didn't feel the same. Finally I stopped. My hands were bloody and my face full of tears. Memories of Kaia and I started invading my mind. The days we'd go to the boardwalk, just the two of us. The cold nights on our way home hweew we'd split a cup of hot chocolate. Even our kiss from last summer. Maybe I wasn't enough for her. Just thinking about that probability made the tears flow harder. Sure, even if she didn't like me in that way, why'd it have to be him of all people? At least if it was someone else I wouldn't be here with blood on my hands. I took out my switchblade, not even sure as to what I woul do next. He hurt her. He hurt her family. He needed to pay.

However, before I could do anything further, I was stopped by one of Kaia's neighbors. When I turned around I saw Kaia staring at me in a confused manner. Taking a minute to calm down I realized the huge mistake I had made. It wasn't Brad I had just beaten up. To my horror it was a drug addict who resembled Brad only slightly. I began shaking. I had just beaten this man within an inch of his life and all the time I thought he was Brad. I clearly still had some resentment towards him. But I was positive I had moved on, though I guess Kaia does still hold a special place among all my friends and I'd hate to see any harm come to her. Nevertheless I overdid it. The police arrived shortly after, along with an ambulance. Thinking ahead, I hid my switchblade. One ofthe officers came over to where Kaia and I stood, enquiring about what had taken place.

"Sir you clearly had some involvement in whatever happened here so I'd like to hear from you first."

I told him my side of what happened. How I came to check on a friend and saw the yard in shambles, how I beat up the man being pulled away on a stretcher. Scribbling something on his notepad he turned to Kaia to gather more information. With everything wrapped up and the officers gone I finally had a chance to ask what happened.

"Rory was out teasing the folks down by the community center again." "He must've really said something awful for this guy to have followed him back here."

"At least things weren't any worse." I replied. Looking around the guy hadn't done much damage to the yard, nothing a little sweeping wouldn't fix.

"Thanks for helping us ."

Still a little spaced out from what I just did, I quickly left. This was gonna torment me for a while. I had even forgotten to ask about why she was calling so many times. Walking as fast as I could in my sulky mood, I made it to Ms Walker's house to get more information on the fights. Knocking on the door I was greeted by who I assume is child number three. Moving to the side she ushered for me to come inside.
The house's decor was so sophisticated. Expensive paintings lined the walls while taxidermied animals of all species surrounded me.