Summer Camp

Seeing the past

Sandy's POV

I walked down the isle of books, running my hands along the sides. I have already read half of them since I had so much free time. There are still so many more books for me to read though. Each one sends me to another world, I imagine myself as the character, learning from all the mistakes they make. Things such as trusting someone and falling in love. I didn't have to read to learn that though.

As I kept walking I let my mind wonder. I found Brexly, the boy who was going to jump, come up. He had been on my mind ever since I caught him almost killing himself. I was so worried about him that I snuck out to the bridge and made sure he didn't come back every night. Plus it helped to clear my mind, it kept me from having dreams.

I wasn't sure how it happened, that I knew where to go and when. All I knew was that someone needed me, someone that deserved to live and needed to live. Not that everyone needs to live. We all deserve to live. It's just that he was... Special. He had appeared in other dreams of mine and if I was right... Well let's just say he's really needed.

Brexly's POV

I took a deep breath as I climbed the stairs to the library. At the top of the stairs I scratched the back of my neck and suddenly became so nervous that I couldn't move.

What if she thought I was weird?

Of course she thought I was weird.She found me about to commit suicide. Who wouldn't think I was weird? She might not even be here. I should just turn around. "Hi... Listen I know you found me about to jump off a bridge but..." I groaned. That sounded so stupid. I didn't realize I had been moving until I was standing right in front of the library's door. I reached down and pulled the handle, opening the door at an excruciatingly slow past. I stuck my head through and looked around, scanning what was visible, which was just the librarian's desk and a few rows of books. The lady gave me a weird look and I quickly stepped outside, closing the door behind me. I put my back against the door.

Brex you're being stupid.

I re-enter the library and start to walk around, looking for Sandy. I pushed my hands deep in my pockets as I walked through the fiction section. I have never really been into reading. It's not that I don't like it, its just hard with dyslexia. My mom used to sit with me on our front porch and read me stories. A chapter each night. After she left whenever I would read I would think of her. I would picture us sitting on our old white porch watching the sunset. I would hear her soft, comforting voice that only a mother could have, I could hear the squeaking of her rocking chair. I would have to stop at the end of page one. My letters got mixed up and I would throw it across the room in fustration.

I took out a book from its place on the shelf and opened it. I tried to concentrate on reading the first sentence but didn't have the patience. I slammed it closed and threw it on the ground, plopping down beside it. I ran my fingers through my hair. I knew it was a lost cause that I would see Sandy again. Her words still echoed in my mind.

'I would miss you too much'

I heard a voice and snapped out of my trance. "Brexly?" I smiled at the sight of her blonde hair. She blushed under my gaze. "Sandy." I whispered, standing up from where I was sitting. She walked over to me and smiled. No one said anything and awkwardness hung in the air. This was just what I was trying to avoid, the awkwardness of the moment. I mean what do you say to a person like me?

"I found you." I said. My cheeks flushed a little as I let out a small laugh. She looked up from her stare at the floor. "I'm happy you did, I was worried about you." I looked at her, suprised. "Me?" I asked pointing at myself. She nodded and looked at her shoes. She was so beautiful. She glanced at my book and bent down to pick it up. "Hey, I know this book. It's one of my favorites." She turned it over and started reading the back. I gave a crooked smile. "You sure do like to read." She hummed yes. When she looked up at me I saw a change in her eyes. "I'm going to get going. I'll see you later Brexly."

Sandy's POV

I heard a bye from behind me but I kept going. He looked lost in the library so I could tell he didn't come to it much. He came for me. More importantly he was okay. I kept the smile he gave me as I strolled to the check-out desk. Ms. Brown gave me a soft smile as she scanned the book and my card. "You sure do look happy. Are you feeling alright?" She gave me a wink. I rolled my eyes at her. "Yes, I'm feeling fine." I slide the book into my arms and start out the door.

As soon as I get outside I feel someone grab my arms and put them behind my back. It was the same guy that always bullys me, Brock I believe is his name. That's when it happened.

******

We were no longer at the front of the library, instead we were in a small bedroom. Posters of sports people that I couldn't tell you the name of were hung up all around the room. I turned around to see a little kid crying in the corner, it was Brock. I kneeled down beside him and tried to touch his shoulder but my hand went right through. A loud thud came from downstairs and footsteps were heard coming up the staircase. Brock started crying harder. A scary looking man came barging into the room with blood shot eyes. The man was drunk.

Goosebumps creeped up my arm at the thought of what may happen. I knew this scene all too well. The man, I'm guessing was his dad, came towards the boy. The smell of alcohol was strong on him and I almost had to hold my nose. Brock's dad steadied himself against the wall and started to laugh. "Hi worthless." He said, while kicking the boy in the legs. He kept kicking, leaving bruises that wouldn't heal for days. Tears were rolling down my cheek. All I wanted to do was stop it all. I wanted to cradle the boy beside me in my arms and tell him everything would be fine. That he didn't deserve it. That's what I would have wanted.

The dad eventually left. Brock was laying on the ground, crying. I tried to wipe the tears out of my eyes but there was no use.

******

When I got back to reality I realized that I was sobbing and could barely see. Brock was carrying me down the stairs and I didn't even struggle. I saw Brexly emerge from the library door and come racing towards me. Man that boy was fast. Before I knew what was happening Brexly had pulled me towards him and punched Brock in the face. Brock backed away slightly, he had no time to recover though because Brexly had come at him again. I ran over, remembering the dream. It wasn't his fault he is like this. I started to pull at Brexly's shoulder, trying to get him to stop.

"It's not his fault, it's not his fault." I kept saying.

I knew that I wasn't very strong so I wasn't doing any good but I had to try. All my sobbing and yelling made Brexly stop punching and turn around. "Than who's fault is it?" He asked with anger laced in his voice. I let the words fall out before I knew what I was doing. "It's his dad's," Brock looked at me wide eyed. "How did you know that?" I was breathing hard and still had tears streaming down my face. "I-I..." I can see the past. That's totally a sane answer. "I guessed." Well that excuse sucked.