Story of Us

Wake Me Up

The day dragged on as usual and I avoided Harper as best as I could. A purplish bruise was blooming on my right cheekbone. It was sore and when I stepped outside after final bell, the icy rain slashed at it like little shards of ice. Aunt Tanny was waiting in the car as asual. I hopped into the passenger seat, still resting my hand on the book. 

"How'd you get that?" she said, concern spreading across her face.

I hated lying to Aunt Tanny, but it was the only way to keep her out of the situation.

"I tripped over on the stairs, and fell onto the banister," I said, faking a clumsy smile.

"Really Clarrie, you're so clumsy," laughed Aunt Tanny.

I flashed a smile, but then plugged myself into my iPod. I watched the crisp brown leaves flutter down from the trees and it reminded me of the time in the forest, where I met Lloyd. Since he sort of broke down at the beach, I feel like I've got to know him more. It felt almost honourable that he let his guard down for me, that he trusted me to see his pain.

I tried to think about how Lloyd must be feeling. It must be awful, being brought up from sleep and waking up with a completely different look. He must feel so trapped and so lost. I had to get him out of there.

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Aunt Tanny had toddled off to the hotel for her hen party and I was curled up on the sofa. I wanted to see Lloyd, but made myself wait until Dave got here. I figured that I would say a quick hello and then go to my room and see Lloyd. 

A few minutes before ten, the doorbell rang and I nervously jumped off the sofa to get it. I opened the door to see a tall man, in a worn blue jumper and beige trousers. I looked up at his face and met a warm friendly smile. Dave was bald and had light silvery blue eyes, but his smile looked friendly.

"Hiya, you must be Clarrie?" he said, still smiling.

"Yeah... er hi Dave," I said, awkwardly offering a hand.

Dave laughed and instead gave me a quick hug. He smelt of fresh paint and cut green grass, which was quite pleasant. He gestured for us to go into the front room, and we slumped down onto opposite sofas.

"That's a nasty looking bruise there," he said.

"I... er...I," I stuttered, wondering wether I should admit what really happened to Dave.

"You can tell me, it's okay," said Dave, smiling honestly.

"Okay... well there's this girl, Harper, and she... well... she hit me," I mumbled, skating over details about the book.

"Oh my goodness Clarrie, does it hurt?" said Dave, crossing over to my sofa and sitting beside me.

I nodded yes and turned to face him. I appreciated how Dave didn't press with awkward questions, like why and how.

"Don't tell Aunt Tanny," I pleaded.

"No, no of course not," said Dave, smiling again.

I was surprised how nice Dave was, I'd come up with hundreds of terrible scenarios, but I liked Dave, he was smiley. I decided to leave Lloyd that night, and spend some time with Dave. Lloyd wouldn't mind, he'd be sleeping or walking on the beach.

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It was about eleven at night, and me and Dave were still wide awake. He'd turned the radio on and he started humming along to a song. It so happened it was one of my favourite songs and I knew all the lyrics. So did Dave surprisingly, as he started singing along. He had an AMAZING voice.