Once Upon A Surf

Chapter Five

          I stopped in front of her door, trembling.  With one last breath that was supposed to make me feel better but didn't, I raised my hand and knocked on her door.

          The door swung open to reveal Donna, dressed as before, her eyes burning.  I blinked, trying not to cry, and immediately looked down.

          "Lindsey," Donna said, her voice quivering.  "How nice of you to join us."  I didn't respond, just bit my lip, hearing the faint sound of Taryn and Kelly peeking around the corner.

            "Your room.  Now," Donna pointed and my stomach dropped as I slowly walked towards my bedroom.  The movement was almost robotic, my mind numb.

            "This was completely irresponsible," Donna hissed.  "I cannot believe you would do something like this.  So disrespectful to me!"

            "I just—"

            "No!  I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses!" Donna shoved me forward and I stumbled into my room, turning to face her with wide eyes.

            "Donna—"

            "You," Donna held out a shaking finger, her face hard.  "are done surfing."

I turned to where she was pointing and saw my surfboard—my precious surfboard—snapped in half and thrown against my wall.  The world seemed to freeze, my arms going limp at my side.  Donna reached for the door and my body seemed to react on its own.  I launched myself towards her, completely desperate.

            "No!  No, you can't take that from me too—"

            "You've pushed it too far--!"

            "Let go!" I snarled, yanking the door out of her grip and throwing it open.

            Donna studied me, her face twisted in disgust.  "You got that smart-ass attitude from your father."

            My eyes flamed and before I knew what I was doing I shoved her back, hard, into the wall.  Donna retaliated quickly, snapping her hand out across my face and sending me sideways.  My hand went to my cheek and tears stung at the back of my eyes as I glared at her.

            "You can't—"

            "Get in your room."

            "No!" I said, my voice breaking.  "Please, I have to—"

            "Now."

            My face fell, tears leaking out of my eyes, and I stepped back just enough so she could close the door.  It slammed shut, the door shaking, and I heard a click from outside.  My eyes went to the doorknob—Donna had switched them, so instead of me being able to lock people out, she could lock me in.

            I numbly sat on my bed, tears spilling down my cheeks.

          No surfing?  Ever?  I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest and stomped on, tossed back in as an ugly mess.  My face burned, and I leaned back into my bed, curled up into a ball, and let the tears fall.

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"Hey, Lindsey.  Wake up," I heard Taryn's rushed whispering and jolted awake, rubbing my eyes, then wincing.  My right eye was completely swollen, and I could barely see out of it.  Two days had passed since the incident, and I hadn't been let out.  Food had shown up every morning, noon and evening, but otherwise I sat staring out the window.