Sweet

Chapter Eighteen: Lemon Squares

Chapter Eighteen: Lemon Squares

I sat down on the swing. Back here at the park again. The park was cold and unhappy, contrast to it's usual bright scenery. This place would usually cheer me up, help me think but now, all it brought back was memories. Memories of happy and sad times that I wish I didn't go through because they all led me to this. I closed my eyes and let the memories washed over me.

The first memory was of me meeting my father for the very first time. I thought he looked like a monkey when I first met him. This made me giggle at my youth's stupidity. The next memory took me to where my dad beat me the first time. I ran to this park and sat on these very swings, crying about how much the pain hurt. The third memory was recent. It was where I ran away because I remembered my father's abuse after so long. Then Elijah came here and comforted me. We left the park to go get candy. I felt wetness on my face and I realized I was crying. This park had way too much memories.

I started swinging, kicking my feet back and forth to make me move. I started going up extremely high and I laughed every so slightly as my butt slightly jumped up from the seat. As soon as my legs started getting tired, I stopped swinging and got off. I went to the merry-go-round and sat down. Pushing my legs slightly so I started going in circles. I may be a teenager but even parks can be fun for my age.

It was after some time of me messing around on the park when I heard my name being yelled. I turned my head and saw that a group of people were approaching me, faces red and out of breath.

"Do you know how long we've been looking for you?!" Kenzie yelled as she ran and hugged me. I winced slightly because the pain from the beating I took still hurt. I managed to smile as I saw how worried they were for me. Mickey wacked me gently in the head and I laughed a bit. Mason rolled his eyes and I did the same.

"Why did you run away like that?" Mickey asked me, sitting down next to me. I shrugged because to be honest, I didn't really know.

"Maybe it was because I couldn't handle all of it anymore and I needed some to myself." I answered.

"Okay, so I get that, but why did you run 30 blocks and come here?" Mason asked me and my eyes slightly widened, it was rare that he ever talked to me.

"It's a childhood park full of memories." I explained and he nodded. Then, Mickey being the crazy strong girl she is, picked me up and started jumping around with me in her arms. I started laughing crazily but stopped as soon as I saw Jason and Jackson approaching us.

Jason looked at me timidly and I smiled at him reassuringly, which he returned. My eyes then drifted down and saw that they were holding hands. I smiled mentally seeing that they made up.

"Pastel, there's drama at school." Jackson breathed, leaning over to catch his breath as I realized they ran the whole way here. I looked at Jason, who wasn't even breaking a sweat.

"Being a star athlete helps." He explained and Jackson wacked him in the ribs. He bent over in pain and Jackson laughed, everyone joining them. I instructed Mickey to put me down and I brushed off my knees.

"Well, guys, let's head to school."

*******

We arrived at the front door of the school. I breathed in and out, mentally preparing myself for what is about to happen. I then pushed the doors open and walked back into the hellhole.

Jason told me all the drama was happening in the courtyard so I made my way over. I got some snickers from passing students and I rolled my eyes. I couldn't care about others at the moment, all I was focusing on was Alice. Just as I said this mentally, my eyes landed on the person standing in front of me. Elijah.