My Happy Ending

chapter ten

Chapter Ten.

I force my eyes to stay open as Mr. Eckhart discusses a recent issue that he read about in an article online. The article follows a group of teenagers in countries all over the world who are joining together to fight against child labor. I'd normally find this class conversation very intriguing, but with the little amount of sleep I got last night, my mind is not able to focus on the words flowing from Mr. Eckhart's mouth. I actually had spent most of my night drawing a image in my journal of the lake that I was telling Laiken about.

Mr. Eckhart's voice grows faint as my head sags towards the desk. Finally, my head drops on the desk and everything around me grows dim. Although, I'm not entirely asleep, and I can still pick out my teacher's pale voice in the background.

I eventually hear the sound of desks shifting and bodies moving, but I don't lift my head until I feel someone lightly brush against my arm.

"Come on, sleepy head." 

Laiken stares down at me, waiting for me to join him. I groan in response and let my head fall down against the desk again, causing him to lightly chuckle. I eventually drag myself from my desk and stand besides the astonishing, Laiken Kerrivan, whom still waits uncomplainingly for me.

I follow behind him as he exits the classroom and walks down the long hallway towards the stairs. I rub my weary eyes, trying to make myself feel more energetic, but my body still feels greatly drained. I carry on following behind Laiken without even realizing the direction that he is leading me in. Finally, I come to my senses when we're heading towards the front entrance.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"You'll see," Laiken replies as he pushes open the glass door.

"Why is it that we always end up leaving?" I question as I follow him through the doors.

"Stop worrying, Liberty. Take some risks, do something spontaneous, live a little." Laiken leaps over the small set of stairs and begins to stroll towards his vehicle.

I approach his vehicle and rip open the front door, entering into the passenger seat. Laiken is already in the seat alongside me, his hands resting on the steering wheel as he patiently waits. Without seconds to spare, Laiken throws the car into reverse and speeds away from the school.

As we drive, my head rests against the window where my eyes strive to remain open. I notice Laiken speedily glance towards me in the corner of his eye.

"Not much sleep last night?"

I shake my head. "Too much on my mind, I guess."

Laiken has no response, but he continues to keep his eyes glued to the road. I stare at the road, trying to figure out our destination, but I have no recognition of the streets we travel down. We eventually end up on a dirt road that cuts through the middle of a forest. I force myself to stay awake as I curiously wait for our arrival. I assume that he's bringing me to the place we had talked about at his house yesterday; his favourite place that he said he may show me someday.

As the road opens up, I decide this can't be his favourite place. I look over at him with a surprised expression, waiting for him to explain our reason for being here. All that I'm able to observe through the window is a rocky opening which I assume is a small parking lot, but other than that, there is nothing admirable. But as the car speeds by the trees and enters into the opening, I spot a beautiful lake with a large forest lining the edge of the waters. I also notice an old, wooden wharf that begins at the edge of the rocks and extends into the deeper water. I stare beyond the trees, finding myself mesmerized by the beautiful mountains with little white tips that peek above the trees in the distance.