Island.

Chapter 12

Twelve.

I woke up, feeling like a complete mess. Hung over, nauseated, and a migraine pounding away in my skull, and my arm had a dull pain. I looked at it to see there was a large purple bruise on my forearm. I looked over at my desk to see Leia was sitting, reading one of my books. I squinted through the much too bright sunlight, and tried sitting up. Worst move I could ever make.

Groaning and falling back on the bed, I heard Leia laugh at me.

“You’re so hung over.” She said in between laughs. I just groaned louder wanting to block out that noise coming from her mouth. It was just so loud. I sat up, slowly this time and gathered my knees to my chest.

All the events from last night flooded back to me. The beers, the shots, Maika, and to my utter disbelief, Keanu. We kissed. That was enough to send my migraine into overdrive. I blushed at the memory.

“What’s on your mind Ava?” Leia asked with a smirk.

“Like you don’t know.” I retorted.

“How did that happen by the way? You and Maika seemed to be having a great time.”

“So did you and Mikale.” I told her, and it was her turn to blush. My thoughts were thrown in different directions. I remembered when Leia practically dragged me away from him.

But I couldn’t remember anything past that.

 “Oh my god. How did we get home?” My voice was an octave higher and my eyes widened.

She just took one look at me and burst out laughing. Again.. The noise made me wince and shrink back into the pillows. 

“Did we get caught by my parents?” I asked and she continued laughing, with tears coming out of her eyes.

“Would you stop that?” I asked annoyed now. She sobered up and said,

 “I’m sorry. It was just one of the funniest nights of my life.” She lost me there.

“What are you talking about?” I asked her while getting up to stand in front of my dresser. My hair was a complete mess, along with my eyes that had make-up smudged under them and they were bloodshot.

“You,” she said giggling.

 “You were so drunk last night. On the way home, you stopped to say hello to everyone. Your speech was all slurred to the point where it sounded like you were saying ‘hell no’ to everyone.”

And she burst out laughing.

“That’s not even the funny part. You kept saying ‘the road’s moving, Leia. Did you see it?’ And then you fell like twice. That’s why your arm has that healthy glow.”

I didn’t remember any of this. And at this point I was kind of glad. I embarrassed myself, and that was something I was not proud of.

Pulling my dark brown, tangled hair back into a ponytail, I gestured to the bathroom.

“I’m going to get cleaned up.”

I turned on my heels and headed for the door, when my mom stepped right in front of me, blocking my path. Damn. I was in some deep shit now.

“We need to talk,” she snapped. She was the old, distant, cold mom again. The one that had nothing more to say to me other than ask me how my school day was, and to tell me that dinner would be at six. The woman I thought I knew, wasn’t there. And I had no choice but to face her.

I followed her to dad’s office where she closed the door. Turning to me, with eyes like stone.

“What were you thinking?”

‘I wasn’t thinking at all.’ That’s what I should have said. Hell, that’s what she wanted me to say.

But instead, I just stood there, staring at the wallpaper above her head. 

“Do you know how worried I was when I answered the door, and saw you leaning on Leia’s shoulder? I thought the worst things. The things that may have happened to you.”

‘I’m sorry.’ is what I should have said. ‘I’ll never do it again.’ would have been a good one also.

But instead, I looked at her, for the first time since that morning and said,
“Well gee mom, I’m sorry if I’m not your perfect little princess that never makes mistakes. But guess what? I’m human, and that’s how we learn. From our mistakes.”

 I heard the sharp intake of a breath, and continued.

“Isn’t this how its supposed to be? The teenager gets into trouble, and the parents get angry, but eventually get over it. Because they remember what it was like to actually have a life?” She tried to speak, but I have had enough of her.

“But yet you force me to go where you want to go, and do what you want to do.” She just stood there gaping at me.

“I’m sorry for what I did,” I said slowly.

“It was poor judgement. And I’ll take whatever punishment you give.” I stared at the floor, with a stoic expression.

And then I realized the truth.

We were two completely different people, who would never understand each other.

~
 I watched the waves came ashore and crashed at my feet. It left the sand smooth and washed over the rocks that were embedded in the sand. People were off into the distance, bobbing in the water like ducks. And some were floating on their surfboards, waiting for the next big wave. They were so graceful. Their timing was incredible, like they knew exactly when the wave was coming. I tried to picture myself standing on a surfboard. But it didn’t happen. I didn’t have that skill, or grace.

Leia interrupted my self loathing by plopping right beside me, her canary yellow sundress like a striking light.

“Don’t look so glum. She was just worried.” Somehow I found those words calming, and I didn’t bother saying anything in return.

My wonderful mother, decided that I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere after school and I was supposed to spend every spare moment with her. I was to attend all her business parties with her and my dad wasn’t even speaking to me.

I finally do something that normal teens do, and my family shuns me.

“Hey the twins are coming this way. Quick! How do I look?” She was messing with her already perfect hair and straightening her dress.

“You look fine. Just don’t drool all over yourself, okay?” She looked at me with disapproval and sat up straight, just as the boys approached us.

“Hey, what’s up guys?” She said trying to act casual. But her eyes gave her away. They were full of panic. I smirked and faced the boys.

"Hi guys." I greeted warmly.

“Hey Ava, I hope last night wasn’t too much.” Maika said.

 This was so awkward.

I couldnt bloody pretend that the whole 'we were almost into each other' thing didn't happen. Because for a minute back at that crazy party, I did. But I didn't want to say something and ruin our barely there friendship. He was a cool guy and I'd really hate for that to be lost so soon. Thankfully, after a minute of my awkward silence, he winked and started teasing his brother and Leia.

We fell into conversation easily, and started walking to the Soda Shack. It was very strange, because things may have gone a bit overboard, with the dancing and everything. But if he felt the same way, he didn’t show it.

“Mikale and Leia seem to be getting along pretty well,” I said to him while waiting for our drinks. We were taking some back for the others. He looked down at me and smiled his adorable dimpled smile.

Maika was good looking, but I didn’t hold the same feelings for him, like I did for Keanu. It just wasn’t the same.

“Ava, I was wondering-” he was cut off by someone else.
“Ava, hey.” I turned to see Keanu standing there with a tight smile on his lips. My stomach did little flips and the jittery feeling was back. But I took a good look and I could sense that he was upset.

“Hey, Keanu.” I said, while glancing back at Maika. I felt guilty, for what reason, I don’t know.

“I was looking for you. I wanted to know if you could hang out,” He glanced at Maika and then continued,

“With me later, if its not a problem.” 
I wished I could have spent all of my time with him but I was grounded.I was so hating my parents even more right now. And what was even worse was that same girl who was all over him last night, spotted him, talking to me.

“Keanu! Oh my god!” she shrieked, probably damaging my hearing in the process. She practically ran over here, and wrapped her hands around his waist. My eyes were glued to that gesture.

“Hey, Pheobe.”  I just kept staring. She was beautiful and I hated her even more for that same reason.

“You didn’t call I was getting worried.” She said that while looking straight at me. I finally had enough courage to tear my gaze away from her brown eyes.

“We should probably get back.” I said to Maika. Turning away and walking out, the bimbo called out to us.

“Can we tag along?” I was shocked that he didn’t remove her hold, and that he didn’t offer to leave.

“Sure, I don’t think it’ll be a problem, right Ava?” Maika said.

Yes it was going to be a big problem.

 "It's no problem at all.” I lied through my teeth.

Today was going to be a long day.