Akumal

Every Silver Lining Has A Gray Cloud

Past

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I was sitting on the beach, tears streaming down my face.  There was a strong arm around my shoulders, trying to comfort me.  How had I let this happen?  It was all my freaking fault.

I had lost one of the few things I really cared about.  There was nothing I could do to fix it.  Why had I been so irresponsible?

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Earlier that day...

Akoni. Akoni. Akoni.  Haku was Akoni.  His face swam through my head as I dressed the next morning, preparing to take my younger brother Iokua to the carnival at the end of the boardwalk.  What if he was there?

I sighed.  Was I thinking about this too much? Probably.  I needed to focus on having fun with my brother, since I hardly ever see him.  He lives with my dad.  

After the divorce, my mom had moved to a new island in Hawaii and tried to start over with a new job.  She acted like everything was fine, but I had seen the stack of bills piling up on the counter.  We were sinking in red ink.

Today was a special day, however.  Mom and Dad had set aside two days a year (aside from holidays) where I could visit his house and on the other Iokua visited us.  Today was that day.  

Walking down the stairs (carefully this time, as you can imagine), I grinned from ear to ear at the sight of my mom and Iokua hugging in the kitchen, which was open and connected to all the other rooms.  As soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs and pulled Iokua into a hug.   His arms wrapped around me, burying his face in my hair.  Although he was almost two years younger, he was just about as tall as me.

When we pulled away, I smiled and said to him “Yah ready punk?”, trying to be all cool.  He giggled,nodding.  Quickly, I slipped on my converse and slung my bag over my shoulder.  Despite my excitement, he was first out the door.

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As we walked down the boardwalk, I asked him how school was going and how Dad was doing.  Even though over parents didn’t quite get along, Iokua was and would always be my very best friend.  I called him at least once a week to hear whatever news he had for me and so I could spill my guts to him.  He knew just as much about me and my life as Alana, even though I saw her everyday.  

“Race you to the carnival!” He yelled, already sprinting ahead.  

“Oh, you are so on!” I yelled right back, speeding towards him.  Yup, I was still faster than him.  As I pulled ahead, I peeked behind me to see his surprise and-

WHAM!!!!!!

I fell to the ground, dizzy and in shock.  Whoever I had bumped into wobbled slightly, but didn’t fall.  A strong hand reached for me and pulled me back to my feet.  When my head stopped spinning, I saw who it was.

Akoni.

He stood there, all perfect and such, extending his hand out to me.  He smiled because he recognized me and knew I recognized him.  I let him help me to my feet.  “Hey,” he said in that voice that made me want to lean in and kiss him already.  

“Hey,” I breathed.  

“Well, go ahead and kiss already!” My brother said after a moment of us just standing there, gazing into each other’s eyes.  I snapped back to reality, forgetting about my brother, who had been there the whole time.  I stepped away from Akoni, was about to say something, blushed and walked back to my brother, head down to avoid his eyes.