Crimson Pines

The Lake

Andy invited me to the lake with her and the group. I didn't have anything better to do with my Sunday so I grabbed my bag and sat on the porch steps. Andy pulled up in her beat chevy with the boys in the tray. The sun was shining through the trees, getting in my eyes as I walked, moving from light to shadow.

Amanda looked me over, her eyes tracing over my clothes in a look of disgust "You're gonna have to get in the back, there's no more space up here."

I smiled tightly at her, Wyatt offering me his hand, pulling me into the truck.

"It's alright, we don't mind having you back here" He winked and settled with his arm around me. I shuffled uncomfortably away, trying to create some space between us. Even though I'd only just met him, it felt like I was cheating on my mystery man.

The sun was hot on my skin as my only shade was the occasional large tree that towered over the road.

The ride was long and the heat made me definitely ready to jump in to the cool lake water. The car pulled up into a dirt car park, picking up dust that flew around us. Andy left the car in the shade and hopped out.

"You all ready?" She asked smiling and running down the path that had been forged after many years of people trailing down to the lake. The boys followed her down, trying to catch up after they helped me out of the back. Amanda walked, carrying her towel and beach bag, carefully treading as she tried not to slip.

I followed after her, I could hear the others off ahead in the distance but it still felt awkward as we walked. I tried starting a conversation but she kept shutting it down.

"I don't know why you're even trying, they'll get bored of you eventually." I didn't even have the energy to reply as I stopped walking and watched her blonde hair retreat down the path. I took a minute to take a deep breath and recuperate before I joined them.

I didn't know what her problem with me was but I didn't have time to worry about what Amanda thought of me. I just need to get out of this place as soon as possible.

I was able to call my mum the other day, the sound of her voice was so sweet and yet had the slur that told me she was on medication. I knew that it was good for her, she became more of a mother but she lost everything that her, her. We'd always worked everything out, our money problems, our living problems. We could do it if we were together, which was why I needed to get back, I needed her to know that I was still there, I still loved her and I was always there for her.

Counsellors had argued that I needed to be dependant on her, not the other way around, but they didn't know us.

By the time I'd reached the bottom, Andy and the boys were in the the water and Amanda was sun baking on the rocks. The sun reflected off the water in a way that made the whole place look magical.

I settled myself onto the edge of the lake, dipping my feet in the water and lying back onto the grass, closing my eyes as the light danced across my eyelids. The sound of the water splashing and the warm sun on my skin allowing me to fall asleep.

I dreamt of a man pulling himself out of the lake, skin glistening and water droplets running down his abnormally pale skin. Running his hand through his hair, brushing it out of his face he flashed me a toothy smile. Something seemed wrong as he walked towards me, hands outstretched as he pulled me into an embrace, his head craning down into the crook of my neck as his hot breath warmed my cold skin. My eyes fluttered closed as he ran his teeth over the taught skin on my neck, my head dropping backwards.

Water splashed into my nose and mouth as I sat up abruptly, Andy laughing hysterically as she grabbed my ankles and pulled me into the water. I only had a second to intake a short breath before my head submerged under the water, almost immediately looting out all my air I swam to the surface. I couldn't help but laugh as I started a splash war with Andy. And I couldn't help but wonder why I'd dreamt of the man from the night before; and why it was so...strange?

Although the dream confused me, I wanted to see him again.

As if he'd read my thoughts he suddenly emerged from the track, followed by a girl around his age. Suddenly the movement around me stopped and the air became thick with tension. Confused I look around, trying to gauge the reactions of everyone around me. The quiet was making me uncomfortable, I hid my body under the water, only my head popping out.

"I'm apologise, I didn't realise the lake was occupied" Was all he said as he and the girl walked over to the other side of the lake, sitting down on their own towels.

"Charlie fucking Stafford has ruined the day" Wyatt mumbled as he got out of the water and started packing up his things. Everyone else followed close behind.

"We can't share the lake?" I asked looking at everyone, secretly excited that I now knew his name. Amanda rolled her eyes "They own the land, we can't be here while they are." I frowned as I looked over at the two gorgeous people who were now chatting away, the girl giving us disdainful looks. Charlie looked over at me, giving me a small smile and a wink. Choking a little I grabbed my towel and started following everyone up the path before I heard him call me name.

I turned around and suddenly he was right behind me, I jumped, tripping over the roots protruding from the ground. His hand reached out and grabbed my forearm in a tight grasp.

"Clumsy" He stated, as though he was talking to himself rather than me. I nodded slowly, his hand felt cold and his nails dug into my skin a little too tightly as I pulled my arm away.

He let go quickly and grinned as thought nothing happened. "Well, you're always welcome here Jean, whenever you need" His blue eyes looked into my own, holding my gaze as though I was in a trance.

"Thanks." I said in a quiet whisper, trying not to break the moment, but as though the spark died his face faded and he turned away quickly, walking back to where he was before.

I tripped again as I attempted to walk backwards carefully while watching him leave.

"Be careful Jean" He called over his shoulder, never turning to look at me again. I turned and hustled myself back into the dirt carpark.

"Where the hell were you?" Andy asked running over to me. Everyone looked frustrated as I climbed into the tray again.

"I'm sorry, he- Charlie, wanted to talk to me" I stuttered still in a half dazed state. Andy just rolled her eyes as she threw herself into the drivers seat, slamming the door. The noise made me jump as my heart started beating quickly for no apparent reason.

On the way home, Wyatt didn't try and sit with me.