TAN SKIN // A Baxter Radic Story

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"Oh please! I am an amazing surfer!" Manu speaks to all of us, taking a sip of his water. Katy's pizza is said to be the best in Shorehaven, and it really is. At least it wins our team's vote. I take a piece of pizza up to my mouth and take a bite. Poppy starts to laugh while her brother claims he is a good surfer, Manu was, but we like to pick on him quite a bit. Wren is to the right of me, while Poppy is to the left. To make it clear, Wren sat next to me, and I am sure it was to make me upset. I did not work.

"Hey Kaia, do you want to go to the bathroom with me?" Wren asks, my head practically snapped to look at her, while I finish my bite of pizza. I hesitantly nod my head, "sure" I answer, then stand up walking in front of Wren to show her where the bathroom is. I start to pick at my nails thinking of what she is going to say to me. Wren always had a way with words, she knew how to hurt my feelings and used that to her advantage in our friendship. I push open the door that says 'women' on it and walk in enough so Wren can walk in after me. "Since when were you in Shorehaven?" she questions me right away, putting her hands on her hips. "After I left Queensland." I speak to her while rising my hands under the sink water.

I watch as she shakes her head, "Kaia I know that. But when did you start competing again?" I shake my hands trying the dry them since the bathroom at Katy's only has the air hand dryers which I hate using.  "Since I got here." I say sarcastically at her. She scuffs, then rolls her eyes at me. "What is your problem? Last time I checked I should be mad at you and Bax." I whisper-yell at her, she shook her head at me. "You're being dramatic." She whispered to quietly I can barely hear her. I am done being second to Wren. I am done with her treating me like I am lower than her.

"Me? I'm dramatic? No you were my only friend, you blocked me. You did it. You ruined it. You broke my heart Wren, and I thought that my best friend wouldn't do that. I guess I was wrong!" I shout loudly, stepping closer to her, tears start to prick my eyes but I hold them down. "You dated my brother!" She yells back at me, a confused expression covers my face. "Did you know how much that hurt me? To watch you two only hang out with each other? I wanted my best friend back!"

I cannot believe her. I am not totally innocent, but I did not block my best friend. "You were gone half the time-" I was cut off by a knock on the door. I realize Wren's body is leaning against it, and whoever was trying to get in couldn't. Wren moved away from the door crossing her arm in front of her. It was an old lady with big glasses on, she smiled kindly at me, then walked into one of the two stalls. I take the chance to walk out the door, trying to get away from Wren. "Manu thank you for dinner. I am walking home." I tell him, but everyone at the table heard. I am so mad. How dare she? I open my wallet and hand him money even though we never have to pay him. He will probably give it back tomorrow.

"You can't walk home alone right now. It's dark." Baxter says, Shorehaven is safe, but he did have a point. "I'll drive her." Marlon offers, I smile at him, then look at Bax whose face screams jealousy. Marlon stands up, tossing some money on the table, then walks with me out the door. "What's wrong?" He asks walking over to the driver's side. "Nothing, I'm just tired." I reply hopping into the passenger seat. I close the door, then reach back to grab my seatbelt. "I know you well enough to know you are not okay." Marlon laughs a little while starting to drive. I look out the window, I shake my head at him, "I don't like the new people." I state in a nonchalant tone. He looks over at me, then back to the road. "They seem stuck up." he says, practically agreeing with me. I look over at him while laughing, and he has a smile on his face.

"Do you think that you will make the state team?" Marlon asks me, turning onto my street. I take a deep breath in then answer "Who knows. I really want to." I look forward at the road, "I think adding Wren to the mix adds another challenge." I tell him, I get stressed even thinking about the trials for the state team. Wren is good, and she is going to be hard to beat. "We have about two weeks, and you are surfing better than you ever have. You got it, plus I think they let in more girls than guys." Marlon informs me, I nod my head at him while he pulls up to my house. "If I don't make it, I don't really know what I will do with myself." I say, unbuckling my seatbelt, then opening the door.

"You'll get a spot. You're too good to not get one." he assures me with a kind smile. I smile back at him, step out the car, "Thank you for the ride." I then shut the door, then make my way up to my front door. Marlon waits until I make it into my front door before he drives away. I walk into my mom doing dishes, "Hi mom" I greet as I take off my shoes. Before I could get any form of greeting back my dad rushes into the kitchen yelling. "Linda, you overspent this month!" I roll my eyes at his stupid little comment to my mother. "We needed a lot of groceries!" she yells back at him; I almost make my way past their bickering before my dad stops me.

"Can you pay the electric bill this month we are tight on money?" He asks, like I said before I help pay bills. My dad says he will pay me back but never does. I sigh, "maybe if you stopped smoking and eating out with your fancy work friends you would have enough." I calmly say pushing past him into my room. I hear his footsteps coming, so I shut my door quickly, then lock it. "What did you say?!" He yelled at my door, "leave her alone!" My mom tells my dad. "You're never grateful!" He yells, I want to go back to Poppy's house now. I was going to spend the night, but after the ice baths she told me she had something with sponsors early in the morning. I left my bag there on accident.

I crawl into my bed, then cover my ears with my hands. He would never hurt me, but his voice does. The things he says. He bangs on the door for a while before it goes silent, and I see the light on our porch flick on. He's gone for the night. He does this. I do not know where he goes, but he leaves. Tears prick my eyes, and I left them fall. Everything with Wren, Bax, and my parents made my heart break. I cried into my pillow, until I heard my phone ding.

I sniffle then pull my phone out of my pocket.

Hi Kai, it's Bax. If you need anything let me know, my address is 1826 steam rd. Come over if they are bad.

I never changed his name in my phone. I knew it was him, he did not have to even say his name. I do not know what to say back, I want to go over there, I want him to say it is okay. But this time, he is the reason for the hurt and confusion. He really is close to the beach, and that means close to my house also. Steam road is the next street over from mine.

Okay, you're not far. But no thanks. I'll pass.

I text back, the tears still falling down, I stand up, and walk over to my closet. I wipe my tears with the back on my hand, and I pull out my pajamas. I put them on as I hear my phone ding again, but I do not rush over to it. My pajamas were blue shorts, and my sports bra. I sit down on my bed, get under my sheet, then turn off my lamp. I plug in my phone, the time says 8:30. Which is way too early for me, but I am tired, so I minus well try to sleep.

My room is on the bottom floor, my window has the Blu Gravity flag in it. Just knock if you need a place to stay!

Can he not get a hint that I do not need him. I mean I do, but I am not giving in like this.

Whatever 🥱

I respond with, then I put my phone in my nightstand, and put it on silent. He will always have a soft spot in my heart.