Sustainable

Chapter Seven

Ariel

"What do you mean, she knows? Who knows?" He asked, and I attempted to control my hiccupping sobs. "My sister. Mia. I think she knows there's something up, 'cause she's been acting weird. Like, I know she's never liked me, but she's actually... I dunno, hostile. Ever since I started changing." I sighed, and he looked at me oddly.

"Changing?" he echoed, and edged closer.

"Yeah," I replied, intrigued by his sudden perk in interest. "Like, it all started when I started getting mood swings. Not your regular teenage ones, either." I smiled, and a slight smile cracked his serious face. "Like, really major ones. I'd be fine, then all of a sudden I'd be screaming or crying uncontrollably. Like I was going from one extreme to the other." I shook my head, and began to play with a stray curl. "My mom said it was just my hormones changing..." I flushed red, realizing I was talking to a complete stranger about my hormones.

He laughed suddenly, startling me. "You've gone bright red." he commented, and my cheeks burned a deeper shade. "I'm aware of that." I said through gritted teeth, which caused him to laugh even harder. "Stop it!" I shouted, a fury bursting through me. The shock registered on his face instantly, and a harsh groan escaped him. Tears ran down his angular face, and his eyes burned with a longing.

It was me. I was somehow causing this young man pain and I had no idea how to stop. Guilt wracked through me, and I stepped back from him, staring in horror at what I'd just done. He lay on the damp ground, a still mass on the floor, and I tentatively prodded him. My heart pounded in my chest in fear, and the throbbing sound of it was deafening. Please don't be dead, please don't be dead, I chanted in my head, willing for him to get up. Even if you want to punch me, do it! Just get up! I silently screamed.

A faint bit of movement caught my eye, and at last he began to stir. I exhaled in relief; I hadn't even noticed I'd been holding my breath. "Thank God!" I laughed, and his eyes fluttered open. Without thinking, I pulled him into an embrace and hugged him close; thankful that he was simply alive.

"What the hell..." he began, and he hesitantly patted me on the back in return. "That is some heavy duty stuff, kid." he smiled weakly, and I managed a smile back. "Yeah..." I started, and then his comment registered. "I'm not a kid, either." I pouted, and he chuckled. "Well, tell me then; how old are you?" he asked, his blue eyes twinkling.

"I'm fifteen. Sixteen in February." I mused, then realized how young I actually sounded. "What about you?" I asked, taking him by surprise. "How old are you to warrant calling me a kid?"

"I'm twenty." he smirked, and I instantly shut up. "Twenty one in May." he mimicked me, and I sent a scowl his way. "Quite a few years on you, kid." He added emphasis on the word playfully, and I shrugged it off.

"Yeah, I guess." I replied, showing complete nonchalance. I stood, and he mirrored me. "So," I swung my arms around casually. "Where're we going?"