Shattered

Chapter 11

I woke up in bed around 1 the next morning. When I got home last night, I went straight to the roof and cried. There are times when you feel like the world is against you, and this was definitely one of those times... I stayed on the roof for hours missing my brother and wondering what exactly went wrong with Michael. Quite frankly, I don’t remember falling asleep, but somehow I managed to get back inside.

I laid in bed staring at my plain ceiling for a while before I decided that it might be best to stay out of bed today. I was sick of moping around the house, so I took out my phone and called the one person I knew had something that could help me escape…

-

“Hey you!” My head snapped up as a flash of blond hair appear beside me.

“Hey Kate.” I stood up giving her a hug.

“Wow… haven’t been here since…” her voice trailed off as we sat on the sandy rock.

“Yea…” I breathed. When Max was alive, we used to go to a private cove that only locals new about. The cove was hidden behind vacation houses and you walked down a small trail to get there. I brought Kate here on occasion and her and Max would disappear in the cave near the water while I laid on the rocks patiently waiting for them to finish their “business”. I could tell my brother loved Kate, but she never felt that strongly towards him until after it was too late.

“ I brought you something,” she smiled reaching into her purse. “Hakuna some vodka!”

I laughed as she handed me half a bottle of alcohol.

“It means get wasted.” She winked.

-

“He didn’t show up today.”

“What?” I asked taking a sip from the bottle and passed it back to her.

“That kid you like!” She laughed taking the bottle. “Michael.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Don’t play stupid Scout,” she giggled taking another sip. “You’ve got a crush on Michael and he likes you too!”

“I do not have a crush on him.” I lied.

“Oh Scout, you’re in denial.” She smiled handing the bottle back to me.

“I’m not in denial!” I shouted setting the bottle down.

“Okay whatever you say Girl Scout.” She giggled to herself as she stood up.

“Where are you going?” I asked shoving the now empty bottle back into her purse.

“Swimming!” She squealed making her way down the rocks.

“No you’re not.” I said quickly grabbing her arm. “It’s nearly dark and you’re drunk.”

“I’m not drunk.”

“Yes you are!” I laughed. “Now come with me, I’ll take you to my house.”

“Like a sleep over?!” She asked excitedly as we made our way up the trail.

“Sure Kate.” I smiled grabbing her hand.

-

“I’m so sorry.” Kate cried as we neared my room. We’d gotten all the way to my house and halfway up the stairs before Kate spoke.

“Sorry for what?” I asked leading her to my bed.

“Scout-“ her voice broke as she sat. Tears swelled up in her eyes as she looked up at me.

I felt my breathing get heavy as she collapsed into my pillow. I knew exactly what she meant and I felt the tears slowly leave my eyes. “It’s not your fault…”

“I love him Scout.” We were both a wreck now. I sat next to her and slowly ran my fingers through her hair, trying to comfort her.

“I know.” I whispered as the tears rolled down my face.

-

It wasn't long before Kate was asleep. I sat in my poorly lit room staring into the darkness outside my window. Kate snored silently in my lap. It was close to 3 in the moring and every ounce of me was wide awake. A sudden buzz interupted the silence and my phone lit up on the bedside table. It was a text:

Michael: hey you awake?? i need to talk... please come outside.