Teen Life

(17) Teen Life

Chapter 17

Falling

Bladen Smith

No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t fall asleep. I sat on my bed for what must have been hours until the house was completely quiet. The water in the pool looked so inviting earlier but I couldn’t swim for obvious reasons. Nobody knew about my leg and I wasn’t exactly planning on telling them by taking it off and jumping into the pool.

I sat like that wondering for a few minutes until I made up my mind. It must have been at least around one or two in the morning and since I couldn’t sleep anyway I decided to go outside and take a swim. I attached my prosthetic leg, swearing under my breath from the pain in caused and slipped on my jeans and a t shirt. I made my way downstairs trying to be as quiet as possible, I didn’t want to wake up anybody and spoil my little early morning swim.

The house was dark except for the passage light that was on. I saw a light coming from the living area but didn’t think much of it until it was too late. I walked into the living room and found Shiloh sitting on one of the couches with a book in her hand. She looked up at me and by the way her body stiffened I could tell that I frightened her. The lamp next to her on the coffee table was casting a beautiful glow on her already gorgeous face.

I felt tongue tied as I stood there looking at her but I knew I had to say something. I took a step closer, watching her carefully to see her reaction and try to figure out what she was thinking.

“I’m sorry,” I said at last, feeling like an idiot for not being able to think of anything better to say.

“For what?” she asked, arching an eyebrow and looking at me questioningly.

“I startled you,” I replied, still not able to form a proper sentence. I had no idea why but Shiloh had a really strange affect on me. Whenever I was around her I felt all weird and stupid, I wanted to impress her but could never find the right words.

“What are you doing down here anyway?” she asked shyly, breaking the awkward silence.

“I couldn’t sleep. What about you?” I questioned, wanting to know everything I could about her.

“Same here, so what were you planning on doing?” she questioned, closing her book and setting it down on the coffee table beside her.

I considered making up a lie and telling her something stupid like I was hungry and came down to get something to eat but I changed my mind. I felt this strange attraction to Shiloh and for some reason it felt like I could trust her.

“I was going to take a swim,” I replied watching her reaction. Her eyes went big with excitement as a smile formed on her face.

“Are you serious?” she asked, her voice sounding excited too.

“Yea, there’s nobody to act stupid now. I hate it when people act all crazy in a pool,” I answered, not mentioning that I did exactly that before I lost my leg.

“Me too,” she said softly as she stood up from the couch.

 “Can I join you? I’d really like to take a swim,” she asked with pleading eyes.

Every muscle in my body tensed as I thought about the idea of her seeing me without my leg but how can I tell her no. I couldn’t.