Picturesque

Chappie Eight.

Rebel, not.

"You can drink lava, but only once."

- guy on tumblr.

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Essette, Cynthia Essette.

I decided that I was in my teenage-rebellion phase. I felt like stirring up some trouble and disobeying my parents, but we all know I'm not that brave. I think too much about the consequences, and second-guess things so much that in the end, I won't end up doing it. So, I'm stuck as this person that survives, but doesn't really live.

When people ask me of my most favorite experience, I can't reply, for the sole reason that I haven't had any. That leaves me with an awkward "Uhm.", that I always have to reply with. (Not that I go out much, because as you can see, the only experiences I know of the outside world are knowledge I gained through long nights of searching on the internet, books and movies.) Sigh.

3 Hours later.

What the actual fuck am I doing here. I am tired, sick, hungry, and pissed off at Keith for bringing me to this hellhole. Currently, I am here standing by the sand, in the blistering and scorching sun, waiting for my mom that was buying tickets to go flyboarding. Yes, flyboarding. You know that flying-jet-pack-gushing-out-water-thingy? Yeah, that.

If I were another brave, outgoing, excitable persona, I would be stoked to do this. Unfortunately, I'm quite the opposite. I am a coward, an imbalanced, disorganized, disoriented, coward. Yeah, I'm not afraid to admit it, my pride is already rock bottom anyways.

My mom was finally done with her prolonged argue with the salesman for a discount. She failed, which would explain why she flashed the middle finger in that direction when he wasn't looking.

I purposely slowed down my walking, anticipating with fear on the flyboarding experience. My mother, given that she took care of me for all these years, knew what I was doing and literally dragged me all the way to the flyboarding station. "Bruh." I muttered quietly, knowing full well that she did not know what it meant.

Once we've arrived, I instantly felt Godzilla rising in the pits of my stomach. Normal people might have butterflies, but nooo, I had to be different and have godzilla moaning in my stomach, and not in hunger. I was then ushered (very rudely, I must point out) towards the shack where they held the flyboarding equipment. I shuddered in fear, even the sight of those machines make the godzilla in my stomach churn.

You may all think I'm overreacting, but keep in mind that this is coming from a girl without any memorable experience in the outside world. Flyboarding, which would be incredibly exciting and appear as an amazing opportunity for some people, seems like an experience that would only go downhill.

The instructor went through some "important" instructions that didnt register in my brain at all due to fear, before expertly strapping on the flyboarding gear I was supposed to use. Before I knew it, I was at the edge of the beach.

"N-n-n-n-n-No." I stuttered, staring in horror at the contraption attached to my feet and hands. I doubt this will work very well, and I am putting my life on the line here. I'd like to stay alive and unharmed, thank you very much.

"Well, well, well." A deep, not-at-all-manly voice spoke up from behind me, causing me to swivel around and lose my balance. Already at the brink of death and I haven't even touched the water yet.

It turns out an unwanted spectator was passing by and had decided to comment on my potential failure. "Trembling, are we now?" He mocked. It was Keith's narcissistic friend, you know, the one who pulled out the selfie stick and helped me meet Keith? Yeah, that guy.

"I'm about to face a deathly ultimatum and I would rather you not watch it." I muttered back.

"I'm the lifeguard, I don't want any dead bodies on my watch." He taunted while snickering.

"Fuck you too Kade, fuck you too." I platonically responded, reading the name tag on his uniform. He snickered in response, but continued standing there despite my protests. Honestly speaking, I had expected (and half-hoped) that Keith had shown up instead of this person. At least that way, I could have a spectator whom I had established a better friendship with.

10 Minutes Later

I can't do it.

I have accepted and came to peace with my cowardice.

"Anytime now." Kade muttered, impatiently tapping away into his phone, probably texting Keith about my predicament. He was the only one in a 10 metre radius, as my mom was long gone flyboarding, leaving me behind and my instructor had given up, exasperatedly storming off to the equipment shack cursing in Indonesian.

This brings me back to the present, where I'm still sitting in a rigid and uncomfortable position, unable to jet off into the sky with my gear. I don't think I can do it. "I should just give u-- Woah!" I exclaimed when I felt an intense vibrating near the hose that connects to my gear. I stood up instantly in reflex.

I heard laughing behind me, but I was too scared to turn around. "Prepare for take-off!" Kade bellowed in the midst of his laughter.

"No, no, no, Kade Fu-u-u-uck!" I shrieked as I was propelled forward and into the water.

And then I saw the light.

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Author's Note

So hi I know I disappeared for like 3 weeks IM SORRY school caught up to me and gymnastics nearly killed me and basically i was too lazy oops

sorry for this shitty chapter and I apologize if I describe the events of flyboarding quite incorrectly as you can see I am clearly not an expert lmao

Did Cynthia die? Or did she not. Find out in the nest chapter. :)

x,

elenaaaaaa