Fallen from the Sky

Chapter 12

Daisy

The reunion with my other friends has unfroze me from this paralysed state of shock, and respectively, also fear. What Andrew did absolutely terrified me, and the way Harriet protected Alex is just heroic. But all those times when they’re alone, and all of the kissing…

I’m starting to think Harriet is ready to have boyfriends. But I have a feeling that this could go horribly wrong.

You never know.

She’s already being attacked.

What sort of trouble could she cause with a bunch of angry ex-boyfriends charging after her?

Of course, that description of it is a bit comical, and amusing. It also is how it always appears in my imagination, although we only have two boys on this island. One is taken, and one is terrifying.

Sorry, Andrew.

At least, I think Alex is taken.

Let’s try not to jump to assumptions too fast.

Harriet

Alex. Andrew.

We’re in the shelters again, and Andrew is being ‘trialed’. It’s our only way to install order while still clinging onto society. With everyday, I seem to become more distant, as I ebb ever away from my former school-girl self. I’ve started to, as a sort-of nervous hobby, list all of the things that have changed about me since we landed on this island.

1)     Taken. Twice.

2)     I have been attacked. Again. Twice.

3)     I have seen a dead person.

4)     I have seen an angry ex-boyfriend

5)     I have an ex-boyfriend

6)     I have kissed somebody

7)     I now hate my former-crush

I guess it’s kind of sad, my new hatred for Andrew. I think if I didn’t over complicate things, and I didn’t kiss Alex again, me and Andrew would have worked things out. Some part of me feels relieved that didn’t happen, and part of me wants Andrew so badly it aches. The opportunities I see with Andrew seem right, they seem public, and they seem the logical path. The ones I see with Alex seem secret and rebellious. Part of me wants the correct, good-girl life, but the deep, inside part of me wants that crazy, complicated, rebel-girl life. Which might be why I say this.

“Alex.” I say, over all the chatter. Instantly, all falls silent.

“Yes?” He says, looking over at me, curious.

“Would you like a private talk?”

A smile tugs at the edge of his lips, which he manages to subdue with a quizzical; “Sure.”

Daisy is looking at me with that smile, as if she knows what is about to happen, but behind that I can see the question only years of friendship can communicate.

Because this is unusual. This isn’t me. This isn’t the Harriet who likes Andrew, this isn’t the Harriet Andrew fell in love with, and more importantly…

This isn’t the Harriet who cares what people think.

After running and running, in a totally different direction to last time, I look over at Alex as we come to a stop. A smile forms on my lips, and I feel for once, totally free. The smile stretches across Alex’s lips too, and he raises his eyebrows in question. I nod, and suddenly he’s kissing me, pushing me against the trunk of a tree.