Ada strolled past the surf club. She gripped onto the straps on her backpack that rested on her shoulders.
She did a double take as she saw a figure walking around the back of the surf club.
"Casey?" She yelled. She ran towards him.
He froze to the spot and rolled his eyes.
"What do you want, Ad?"
She caught up to him. "Are you alright?"
She studied his face. There was a bruise on his lip. The skin under his eyes looked dark and heavy.
"Yep." He replied bluntly.
"Who did that?" She nodded at his bruised lip.
"Ah, Ad." He complained in annoyance.
"You've got to stay away from Dad."
"Why don't you mind your own business?" He spat.
Behind her, Jaxson emerged. He sauntered up to the surf club but stopped when he saw them. He studied the interaction, hovering out of sight.
"Case, I'm worried about you." Ada continued. "We're all worried about you."
"When are you gonna get it, Ad?! I couldn't care less what you think."
"Casey."
He raised his arms. "You know what, just stay the hell away from me from now on." He hissed as he turned to walk away.
"Casey, listen." She pleaded, grabbing at his arm.
"Get off me."
He wrestled her off and pushed her backwards. She tumbled to the ground. Her hands scraped along the gravel.
Casey stepped back, shocked. He stared at her on the ground.
Her eyes watered but she met his gaze.
Casey turned and trudged away.
Ada dropped her head and gasped for air.
Jaxson rushed forward.
"Hey, you alright?" He asked, retrieving her backpack from the floor.
Her cheeks flushed red. She scrambled to her feet, dusting the grazes on her legs.
"Yeah." She mumbled.
Jaxson handed her backpack.
"I've got to go." She said and scurried away.
"Hey." Ada said.
Marco stood by his locker. He retrieved some books and closed it.
"Hey." He replied, taking her hand.
She winced. Marco looked to her hand and inspected the graze.
"What..?" He began to ask.
She pulled her hand back.
Murmurs erupted in the corridor. The pair turned to see the source of the commotion. Casey entered at the end of the corridor. He pushed his way through the sea of students, not meeting anyone's eye.
Jaxson slinked over to Marco and Ada.
"Ada, are you alright?" Jaxson asked.
A frown emerged on Marco's chiselled face. "What's it to you?" He snapped.
Marco held Ada's hand again. He glared at Jaxson.
"I saw Casey earlier." Ada explained. "I tried to talk to him."
