H.I.C.C.

Chapter 11: Having Fun

The night is horrible. Jen keeps rolling around, unable to sleep. When she does start to slip into it, the event of this afternoon pulls her back and slams her against the brick wall of truth. She moans, trying to finally embrace the darkness, but she just can't. She keeps on rolling and twitching. In a very sudden move she rolls over to her right. A little too fast, and a little too close to the wall. The sound and the sudden pain make her jerk up. She presses her left hand against her forehead. If she had a headache before, now her head feels like it would explode any second. She groans at the pain. Slowly she gets up and staggers towards the door. Walking in a straight line is next to impossible. Step by step she moves closer to the door. When she almost reaches it, she trips and tumbles towards the door. Just barely before she falls completely she supports herself on the wall. Keeping her hand against the wall she walks out the door and to the bathroom. Once in she goes to the sink and uses cold water to wash her face. Then she gets a cloth, wets it with the cold water and presses it against her head, slowly moving back to her room. Back in bed she looks at the ceiling. The coldness of the cloth feels extremely refreshing. She takes a deep breath. In less than two hours she has to leave for school.

"There's been a knock at the door!" Nina hisses a little louder. "Ok ok, I'm coming.." I say, still sleepy. Slowly I walk downstairs. "Don't make me say it four times again!" Nina glares at me. "Next time you break some ribs I'll do the same to you!" I retort. I open the door. "'Morning..." Jen whispers almost inaudible. "You look jet-lagged... And by that I mean you look like shit." I say while carefully giving her a hug. "I didn't sleep." She replies, sounding still very distant and depressed. "Have you had breakfast?" I ask. "No." She simply says. I'm unsure what to do, so I escort her to the kitchen. Nina gives me a knowing look, and I shake my head. She nods and prepares something to drink. "Jenny, do you want coffee or tea?" My sister asks. Jen doesn't respond. "Jen?" I ask, worried. She seems to snap out of a trance, and looks at Nina, seemingly confused. "I...Sorry, I spaced out for a bit..." Jen sits down and buries her face in her hands, sighing. "Do you want to skip?" I ask. She shakes her head. "That would only make things worse." I look at her for a few seconds. "Have you spoken with your parents." The look Jen gives me is very unsettling and would be able to break any heart. "Of course not! I...I couldn't... It w-." She stops, staring at me, yet past me. She drifts off into a distant realm. I walk up to her and hug her again. I pet her head. I don't want to say bullshit like 'It's ok' or 'Everything will be fine'... I don't want to lie. Not about this. Instead I just do: "Sssshhhhhhh." Like she was my daughter or something. I feel silly, but suddenly she relaxes, so I just continue. We stay like that for a while. "It's time." My sister suddenly says.

Jen and L don't run into any trouble this morning. It's a very quiet morning. It just doesn't make sense. L is constantly maintaining total situational awareness the entire way. She wonders why the hell none of the usual bullies turn up. It should seem like Mark would want to continue, right? His sexual interest in Jen was more than obvious now, after all. That he wouldn't make another attempt as soon as possible seems weird, considering how open and straightforward he was with his strategy. But nothing happens. Nothing at all. L feels very unpleasant. It just doesn't feel right. Another known face waits at the gates however. Michael. "Mornin' Girls!" He greets. "Hey.." L says, she feels uncomfortable because of Jen. She doesn't want her having to deal with a boy right now. But something unexpected happens. "M-Michael?" Jen suddenly starts. He also seems surprised at her sudden approach, and smiles when he looks at her. "Aye?" Jen takes a deep breath. "Thanks for your help yesterday." She says in a very shaky voice. "If you hadn't shown up.. M-Mark w...would have...." "It's cool. No worries." He interrupts her, seeming to understand how the events of yesterday must feel to her. "I was wondering, after the school day, do you wanna hang around with me and my crew?" L raises a brow. "Your crew?" Michael nods. "Yeah, I mentioned them before, didn't I? We are a group of skaters that usually hang around the skate park further down the road." L is unsure what to say. Michael looks at Jen. "We're a few boys and girls, so if you're interested, just say it. Let's meet up during lunch break, and you can tell me if you want to tag along after school." Jen looks at L. L understands. "No need, we'll be there." Michael smiles. "Cool. You'll like it."

After school Jen and L meet up with Michael. He leads them to the skate park. "Welcome to my second home." He says, making a wide gesture at the park in front of them. There are a lot of ramps, and quite a few people are either skating or hanging out at the side. Michael walks over to a small group of teens. "Yo Jess, Francis." A girl and a boy look up from their card game on the floor and get up once Michael steps close. "Hey Mike." The girl says, and gives him a bear hug. She's extraordinary tall. "Friends of yours?" The boy, Francis, asks. "Yep. Jen and L, these are Jessica and Francis, the founder and co-founder of the crew." Jessica reaches out her hand to both of them. "Hey there kids, nice to meet you." L looks up at Jessica. "Wow, you're huge." Jessica lets out a laugh. "Why thanks, I'll take that as a compliment. Might be because I'm at least four years older." Jen whistles. "You're 17?" She asks. L gapes at her shortly. She still sounded depressed. "Wow, how'd you you figure that out so quick? I could've been five or six years older too." Jen fakes a smile. "Why would a 19 year old hang around with a group of 13 year old teens?" Jessica giggles. "If the group likes skating as much as I do, why would the age matter?" Jen shrugs. "Hey, don't forget about me here." Francis butts in. "I'm Francis, 16, by the way, and I do most of the organising when Jess is too busy masturbating to her skating skills an- OUCH!" Jess rams her elbow in his side. "Don't be so darn cocky mister." She warns. Francis laughs. "Can't hide the facts. Well anyway, welcome to our little crew. I hope you'll enjoy it." Jess seems shocked. "Of course they will! Now, who's ready to learn some tricks?!"

The sensation is amazing. Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I race Jess through the park. I borrowed a skateboard from Michael. We are moving at relatively high speeds. Jessica suddenly makes a sharp turn towards a ramp. I don't hesitate to follow. It's one of the really big ones. But I'm not scared of that shit! "SEE YA ON THE OTHER SIDE!" Jess suddenly yells and uses the ramp to jump across another one. I focus. As if I couldn't do that! "YOU CAN'T OUTRUN ME OLD HAG!" Jessica laughs. I reach the ramp and jump. The airtime is absolutely thrilling. Time seems to pass slower. I look around. I spot Jen watching. I smile and wink. Then I focus again. The landing is rough and I almost fall. But not today! "NICE MOVES KID!" Jess yells as she heads for the next ramp. Suddenly Francis appears with his Inliners. He comes from the other side. He and Jessica jump at the same time and high five each other in mid air. I do the jump as well. The wind feels amazing as it brushes my skin. The next landing is a lot smoother. Jessica comes to a stop just ahead. I break hard and only barely stop next to her. Jessica smiles widely at me. "You've got guts! And potential! I can tell you're gonna have fun here." I smile back. "Thanks." Suddenly Jess looks at her watch. "Oh damn, gotta bail. My minijob won't wait! See ya tomorrow!" And with that she storms off. I look after her for a few seconds. Then I walk to Jen.

"Want to head home?" L asks. Jen nods. "Yeah." L frowns. She was still down. "Not feeling better?" Jen suddenly smiles. And it wasn't fake. "Actually I am feeling better. Watching you having fun was refreshing." L gapes at Jen. "Just like that?" Jen's smile didn't vanish. "Just like that. Let's go!" L suddenly flinches. "Ha ha ha.... errm.... Ugh..." Jen looks at L. "Overdid it?" "NO! OW FUCK!.....yes...." Jen can't help but laugh. "Don't say I didn't try to stop you! I tried for at least seven minutes!" L frowns. "I couldn't help it! It looked to fun! Ow fuck I hope I didn't re-fracture it or something..." Jen raises a brow. "Is it that painful?" L shrugs. "I've felt worse. But I can't say it's pleasant. Ouch..." Jen now holds out her arm. "Well, the crutch is ready." L smirks. "Well then, let's go." Jen nods. On their way home Jen looks to the sky. It was a beautiful red. "Sun's almost set." L nods. "When I was little I asked my mum why in the evening the sky is red instead of blue. And my mother used to answer: 'Elisabeth my dear, the angels are baking cookies.'"

Both burst out laughing. And they can't really stop until they part ways.