Once we arrived at the beach, Addie clung to my arm once we walked out of the car. Aristotle and Hades walked in front of us. I could tell these three were very well known amongst everyone. Most people stopped and stared at me. It was a bit to uncomfortable for me, thats all I wanted this summer was to be unnoticed. I guess with this family that isn't gonna be a choice. Once we met the sand we could see the large fire blaring. A bunch of drunk teens laughing and playing games. Others stood by the loud music and dance. If thats what you called dancing I suppose. Next to the fire about a few feet away stood a table full of drinks. I studied it trying to find something other than alcohol.
"Em, here I made you this. We got to get wasted girl!"
"Thanks, but I don't really want to drink." I plainly stated, playfully kicking a stone to the left side of the table.
"Oh, why not?" Addie asked, staring at me as she held a red solo cup.
"My dad is a drunk. He was always hitting my mom, so I guess I feel like I'd turn into him."
"Look, a person chooses who they wanna be. With and without addictions. Do you want to be like them? No I don't think so. So you make your decision with drinking. A few drinks to have fun and unwind at your first party here is fine. Ari and Hades won't let anything happen to us. I definitely won't let anything happen to you." I smiled at Addie, feeling our bond growing close by the minutes. I took the drink from her hand, taking my first sip. I could taste the strawberry mixing in with the lemonade. But I couldn't taste anything else bitter.
"This is so good, I don't even taste anything." All I could hear was Addie's laughter. "Whats so funny?"
"I haven't put anything liquor in it! Here try some Vodka. Might taste icky but after awhile the bitterness goes away." She wasn't wrong, it was quite bitter. But after awhile I didn't taste it anymore. It felt good to be drunk, I understood why my dad drank. It seemed to take a lot of sorrows away. I felt free, I had no issue doing what I wanted or saying anything. I felt a rush of thoughts coming to mind, happiness, and warmth. Most of the time I sat on the beach staring at the waves running into each other. Addie had found herself a boy and left me alone to sit. Eventually it got boring watching water swish around. I gathered myself and went back to the table of liquor. Stumbling to the table I grabbed the first bottle I seen. Tequila couldn't be that bad, mix it with a little bit or orange juice and pineapple. Then there sat my beautifully spiked juice.
"Hey there, aint seen you around here before. You new or something?" I didn't pay much attention to what they were saying, didn't catch much interest. I grabbed my drink instead and walked off to my sitting spot. The voice followed me as I walked. They didn't seem too happy I had ignored them. I soon found my arm being grabbed up and jerked around to face the person behind the voice. "Did you not hear me?"
"Get off of me!" I shouted trying to yank my arm from his grip. "I'm sorry but don't grab me up!"
"Look I was jus trying to make conversation with you." I couldn't make out much of his face, seems as the fire was less bright. He took another step forward causing me to step one back. I caught a glimpse of his green eyes, and a small scar that sat on his forehead just above the eyebrow. I set my drink on the ground and looked through the crowd of people trying to find the three people I know. This young boy moved towards me again and I jumped. Before I realized what was happening he rushed forward grabbing my hair. I felt a small stab into my side, his face stood next to mine as I found his body behind me.
"You scream and I will kill you." I cried into his hand that covered my face. He shoved me forward to the lifeguards station. I was pushed inside, falling to the floor. I felt my knees burn against the wood. The boy came at me once more, I took the advantage to turn around and ram my foot into his knee. The first blow knocked him over, I gave him a second one to the head. Scrambling to the door, then I ripped it open. I was aching everywhere, I felt dizzy, falling to the side as I tried to run to everyone. I was trying to figure out what to do, I didn't know what to do.
So I did what any normal person would do.
I screamed.
"Somebody help me!" I screamed over and over again. Addie was the first to run over, grabbing my face to have me look up at her. I was positive I was going to have a black eye if I didn't already have one. My lip busted open on the left side. My dresses strap was ripped hanging down my arm. I'm sure I looked a mess. "Addie he tried to--" I choked out to her falling into her arms.
"Someone call for help, Hades, Ari someone get my brothers!" Addie kept shouting, everyone didn't make a step to do anything. All eyes were on me, crying and yelling out. Soon I heard Aristotle, he was shouting with Hades. Soon they appeared, crouching next to me on the ground. Aristotle moved my hair from my face and studied me. I watched his eyes turn dark, and he turned to Hades.
"Where is he Em?" Hades shouted, glaring at everyone who was idling by. "What happened?"
"Hes in the lifeguard cabin, he tried to rape me. He had a knife, I didn't know what to do. I thought he was going to kill me. Then all I could think of to do was scream, but I just couldn't. I don't know what--" before I could finish Aristotle ran off with Hades not too far behind. I didn't watch as Hades dragged the green eyed boy from the cabin. I turned away as they pounced on him, Addie let me cry in that moment. Even when it started raining, she sat there with me til I moved. Even after the police arrived, when I wasn't ready. I sat there with no feeling at all, staring at the puddle in front of me. I watched it glow red and blue. I could hear vague voices in the background but it was so much quieter. I didn't know what to feel anymore, I felt really numb. I was tired, I always felt like a victim and now I am one. Again. Nothing seemed to get better. Nothing will get better will it?
"Em, I know you're in shock and all. But we have to get up and go to the hospital. They have to take evidence for the charges. That is if you want to press charges. I already called my mom, she's heading to the hospital now." I looked up at Addie, and I just stared in her eyes. Even her kindness felt like nothing to me anymore.
"Okay." I let Addie help me up and guide me to the car. I didn't want to talk, I just wanted to go home and go to bed. I just wanted to forget this happened. I wanted to stop being a victim.
I just don't think anything good will come from my life.
