Forgotten Pines: The Chronicle of the Kodnikado

THIRTEEN

THIRTEEN

Max
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It took only a few minutes before I was introduced to everyone in the group. And vice versa.

The girl with the raven hair was Isla Sparrow. Who, after a couple minutes, I decided was a total shrew. Tho, Donny seemed entranced by her.

There was, of course, Simon, and his sister Onnie who would not shut up.

Then there was a Jamacian girl with almond shaped eyes, and a petite smile. Every time she spoke her voice came out so soft you had to lean closer just to hear her. I almost felt sorry for her boyfriend who was a really tall wiry guy with spikey black hair. I think their names were Anstasha and Jack.

"So what were you doing out here anyways?" Onnie asked. She was walking between Cemre and I. And every now and then she'd "accidentally" bump into my brother.

"That's none of your business". I answered almost inaudiblely.

I didn't want these poeple looking at me like I was crazy or anything; same went for Cemre.

Donny would probably believe me about the prints because of his infactuation with horror and anything relative to death. But he'd most likely go and run his mouth about the whole thing. So, for now, I was going to keep what I found to myself.

"Where are we even going?" I asked, changing the subject.

"We-my friend- are on our way to the old falls". She said with spirit; as if it were the most incredible thing.

"Aha".

"Just a little further".

As Cemre and Onnie conversed about the party my subconsciousness came to a realization that someone was watching me.

I threw a subtle glance over my shoulder, and mentally rolled my eyes when I caught Simon staring at me.

What the hell does he want?

"What's wrong with your brother?" I asked Onnie.

"What do you mean?"

"He keeps staring at me".

I could literally feel his eyes drilling holes in the back of my skull.

"Maybe-"

Before Onnie could finish her sentence someone looped their arm with mine, and dragged me to the back of the group.

"What the hell are you doing?" I snapped when I realised it was Donny who stole me away.

A very perplexed Donny.

"What's wrong?"

He knitted his fingers together as his gaze drifted over to where Isla Sparrow was walking.

Serously?

I let out a sigh. "You should talk to her". Even if she is a bitch.

"I dunno what to say". He confessed. His green eyes were full of desperation when they met with my grey's. "She totally shut me down the first time we interacted".

It was a bit odd seeing Donny so worked up over a girl. Dating wasn't his usual cup of tea. So I kinda wanted to see where this could go.

I gripped his shoulder with my good hand and shook him. "Dude! Don't overthink it. She's hot. Go for it".

"She's not interested-"

"When has that ever stopped you?"

"Cemre's been telling me forget about her all day". He added.

"Cemre's an idiot. He doesn't take chances in the relationship field".

"I dunno".

I gave the top side of his head a light smack. "Go over there and demand her attention. Tell her she's got nice boobs".

Donny's eyes bulged. "Isn't that usually how you loose part of your manhood?"

I couldn't help myself. Just the way he worded that sentence had me hugging my stomach as I died with laughter.

"Hay! Girls kick hard". He said in exasperation.

"You would know..." I chuckled, "Wouldnt you".

My laughter nearly drove Donny away, but I managed to calm myself down just enough to give him one more piece of advice. "I'm telling you Donny that girl wants you to be straight with her. She's probably got fake ass suckers fighting tooth and nail for her every day. So just be confident. Speak your mind".

I patted him on the back then shoved him in Isla's direction. And just like a boomerang he came right back without interacting.

"Dude!" I gave him an irritated look. "What are you doing?"

"I can't talk to her".

I did the best job I could with crossing my arms. "Why not?"

He gestured in her direction with an exasperated wave of his arms. "She's in the middle of a conversation".

"Cut in".

It was simple.

"No!"

"Why". I flicked his forehead, "Your good at that".

His expression warfed into one of annoyance. Just as he was about to yell, shout, or scowl at me Cemre's call from the front interfered.

"Hold that thought". I told Donny as I jogged past him.

"We're here". Onnie proclaimed when I joined her and Cemre at the front. She pointed to a scenery up ahead. "What do you think?"

I'll be brutally honest for a moment- when Onnie said we were going to a place called Old Falls I thought it sounded lame at the time.

Boy was I wrong.

"It's definitely amazing". Cemre voiced in awe.

Old falls was a combination of three things: a wide stretch of flatland dotted with lawn chairs, and leaning poles holding up string lights. A rocky cliffside shadowing the said flatland. And a open mouthed cave in the side of the cliff (with a freakin zipline coming out of it).

"You see that". Onnie pointed to the top of the cliff. Which was inhabited by large boulders, and jutting stones. "There used to be a waterfall through here". She traced an invisible line down the side of the cliff then pointed to the land at it's feet."That used to be a lake before it dried up".

"Why did it stop?" Cemre added, "The water I mean".

"Dunno".

"How far in does that cave go?" I questioned.

She shrugged."Fifty feet or so".

"Why is the ground all dirt?" Donny asked. Seeming to appear out of nowhere. "Like, there's forrest and then just that". He gestured to the scenery in front of us.

"That's kind of what happens when an entire lake dries up". Cemre commented in a duh tone.

"Come on guys". Onnie chirped. She looped her arm with Cemre's then set off towards Old Falls.

After a moment we all followed.

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