Sticks and Stones

Chapter Five

Water was everywhere.

            I felt it on my skin, in my clothes, in my eyes.

            I felt it even more when it was in my lungs.

            I frantically tried to grab on to something-anything- that could get me out of the water. But I couldn’t find it.

            When my head finally found the surface, Kai was holding my arm. He looked bored, as if my show of drowning hadn’t been enough of a thrill for him. I gasped for air, and was thankful when I could breathe normally again. I felt for the ground under my feet, and realized I could touch it with my feet flat, the water rising up to my chin.

            I blushed, taking my arm gently from Kai and placing it back at my side. My nose was still aching from earlier, but it seemed that the salt water had eased it slightly, along with the cut on my head.

            “Honestly, my bath tub is deeper than this.” He said, sounding amused. I stuck out my tongue obnoxiously and turned my back to him, cupping water in the palms of my hands and examining it deeply. I wasn’t sure what color the water was, exactly; it was pitch black outside, the moon illuminating a small ration of the water into a milky blue. Kai had thrown us in together, laughing while I was crying. We were both fully clothed, and thankfully, the water was warm. I heard him go under and was surprised when I hadn’t heard him come up in a while. Turning, I looked all around me and searched the dark waters with my worried eyes. Had he drowned? I started for the shore to grab his phone and call someone, but then I felt something on my ankle.

            I screamed a blood curdling scream.

Whatever it was, it wouldn’t let go, no matter how hard I tried to shake it off. It pulled on me and my head went under water for a mere second before I pulled it above again. Kai stood up from the water and started laughing hysterically, trying to say something while I was walking towards shore. I didn’t want to be around people that were going to make an effort to make fun of me, and Kai was definitely one of those people.

            “Wait!” He finally screamed, all laughter gone from his voice. I turned to say something mean and hurtful, but as I looked at him, he looked completely sorry. His eyes were brighter than before, standing out against the dark sea and his tan body. His wet hair slid slightly onto his forehead with out the gel in it, a shaggy sort of look. I felt bad, but I wasn’t sure what to do. Finally, I sighed.

            “Just take me home, Kai.”

                                                ***

It had been a long, awkward car ride from the beach to my fathers house. Kai had asked me everything from what temperature I like the air conditioning on, to what my favorite radio station was. I had replied to some quietly, but eventually it just died off into the quiet rumble of the engine. I was exhausted. The clock on Malakai’s car read 11:32 PM, which was hours past my curfew had been in Colorado. Then again, I don’t go to the hospital often in Colorado.

            I wasn’t sure how to feel about Malakai Lockhart. He was definitely a risk taker, and was popular enough to throw a party that big. I wasn’t even popular enough for the teacher to remember my name in school. Malakai had girls drooling all over him, with his tan, chiseled body and A-list smile. He gave off the impression that he could have whoever and whatever he wanted, and people believed it. Even me.

            When we pulled up in my driveway, I risked a small glance at him, only to find him staring straight at me. His eyes were filled with guilt and sadness, no trace of the smirking idiot he was before. I thought I should say something. Maybe apologize for overreacting, or maybe even give him a hug. We were enveloped in the darkness of the night when he suddenly reached out and put his hand lightly on my cheek. I froze, not sure what was going to happen next.

            “Tyler, I know I just met you. But I promise you, I will make it up to you for what I did tonight.” And then his hand was gone, and my door was unlocked just as my father walked out onto the porch, squinting into the darkness.

            “Thank you for tonight.” I said quietly, getting out of the car. My father instantly guarded my wounds with loving eyes as I stepped onto the porch. When Malakai flashed his headlights as a goodbye, I turned and waved, a smile slowly forming on my face.

            My father took me inside and Stacie screamed her apologies, running down the stairs and hugging me tenderly.

            “I should’ve never let you go!” She shouted, sobbing.

            “I’m okay, sorry I had to go to the hospital . . .” I trailed off, realizing neither of them were listening. I escaped their hugs and went upstairs, stripping off my wet clothes and throwing myself into the shower. I let the scalding hot water wash around me and I closed my eyes, letting it fall over my face. I tried to think about everything that had happened tonight, but it was escaping my mind. I started out at a bus station and ended up in a hospital, and then an old diner, and then the ocean. The inbetweens were a bit fuzzy, but maybe it was because I needed sleep.

            Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around myself and searched through my suitcase for clothes to wear. I settled on a long gray t-shirt, three sizes too big with a giant batman symbol in the middle. I laughed, realizing that it used to be my fathers.

          **Authors Note**

Hey guys! So, i know Im kind of dragging this story along, and only updating every Friday isn't very often at all, I'm still trying! I might take this out of the Watty Awards 2012, if I dont get much more votes by September. So, vote vote VOTEE!! And please comment whether or not you like this story or my other ongoing story (Lie to Me) more, that way I will know which one to focus on more. 

Thanks!! -Teautie

  He is such a nerd.

            I climbed into bed and shut off the light, letting my damp hair soak my pillow. I focused on steadying my breathing and my heart rate, listening to the distant sounds of Stacie sobbing and my father cooing sweet melodies at her, trying to calm her down.

            It felt good to know that people actually cared about me. My mother would be furious I gave her a hospital bill to pay, and would take away my phone and computer for months until it was paid off. It was weird, having the bill be the last thing that they wanted to talk about. And to think, I wouldn’t even had gone to the hospital if Stacie hadn’t made me go to the stupid party.

            But if I hadn’t gone to the party, I wouldn’t have met Malakai Lockhart.

Right before I fell asleep, I smiled into the darkness and comfort of the guest bedroom. I thought about what Malakai had said, about him repaying me for what he did today. A light had clicked on in my head.

            I knew how I wanted him to make it up to me.