The Sweet Crazy Life

Chapter 7 (part 2): Fears Kept

CHAPTER 7 (part 2): Fears Kept

Ariana

"Ro, it's just a frog." I say, looking at the green creature that was looking up right at us from the ground. It's black eyes blinked and Ro stepped back once again. His face was white as if he'd just seen a ghost. The frog croaked and Ro's eyes widened even more.

"C'mon, Ari." Ro says, trying to tug my jacket with his arms already full of groceries. Mine was too but not as heavy as his. "We've got to get back to that Cafe-bakery place."

I smiled impishly and nodded. "Your afraid of frogs?" I ask as we walked back towards the main street. "The GREAT Rowan is afraid of frogs?"

I giggled and Ro looked annoyed. I couldn't help it. Ro was the perfect boy of CIA. High grades, professional cooking skills, good looks and a constant favourite of teachers. He never shows any weaknesses until this fated day. We just so happen to pass by a frog that must have been out from wherever it came from and suddenly he acts as if the tiny creature was a monster. Hehehe... If I wanted to play a prank on him, I could slip in a frog under his pillow. But still, the idea of being afraid of frogs is just... funny. David and I even held them in our hands before.

"You've never been through my childhood." Ro says and I smirked at his defense. "There were so many of them in an old fountain located in the park at my grandparent's place. I was just looking into the water when those... things, jumped at me!"

"They don't bite." I told him but he shook his head.

"No, they don't but some of them are poisonous."

"Ro, poisonous frogs don't live in these parts of the country." I pointed out.

"Maybe they've adapted to the environment." He reasons.

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, Ro. You sound ridiculous."

"It's a phobia, Ari. I can't help it."

I laughed for the 5th time. I like getting into Ro's nerves. However, there is such thing as karma. As soon as I finished my laugh, the clouds were beginning to dim. A low rumble of thunder echoed overhead. My eyes widened and my heart was beating a little too fast for my liking. I started taking fast exhilarated breaths.

"Ari?" Ro asks but his voice only echoed in the background. All I could see were the looming dark clouds that shot out lightning in the distance. The air was beginning to get cold and a gust of wind blew by and I shivered, pulling my jacket closer. Ro was saying something I couldn't decipher as the clouds were now above me. I couldn't move.

The sound was like loud gongs that were beaten mercilessly by monks. The thunder was louder than a stampede of elephants. It was loud. Too loud. I covered my ears and ran aimlessly out of the street, dropping my groceries.

"Ariana!" Ro called after me but I didn't stop running. The fear was building up. I couldn't slow my brreathing and flashes of my childhood flashed through my mind. Broken windows, the howling wind, more thunder...

I entered an old building and found myself in a library. No one was there, even the librarian. I hid behind a bookshelf breathing heavily. As if it would help, I could still hear the thunder outside. I didn't cry like I used to but instead I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself. No good.

Before, David would be here, hugging me, whispering soft words that would assure me everything will be alright. But... David's not here. I'm alone. I don't want to be alone.

I screamed as a hand touched my shoulder and I backed away using my hands, finding a surprised Rowan who held up his hands in assurance. "It's okay, it's just me." He says as he tried to approach me. I shook my head, backing away from him. He'll just be like them. He'll laugh at me, he'll think I'm weak. Memories of highschool flooded into my mind causing me to look at Ro in fear.