Chapter Eight
Landon and I ran, our mouths still covered and our hoods still up. A fine lining of sweat began to drip down my face as the heat from outside attacked my body. The moon shone high up and the stars lit our path to the beach. After about ten minutes, we stopped running and stood on the sidewalk, gasping for air.
We didn’t stop because we were out of stamina, if that’s what you’re thinking. My heart was thumping, not because I had ran 8 blocks. My heart was thumping because of what we saw. Kailee.
I slipped out of my hoodie and revealed my beach clothes, a pink bikini, white crop top, and shorts. I could just feel Landon’s eyes on me.
“Hey, I’m not all that fit. Eyes up.” I smiled, jokingly.
He laughed and slipped out of his hoodie and he was in his beach clothes as well. A racerback gray tank top and trunks.
We made our way to my house so I could drop off the hoodies and do my hair for the bonfire party thing tonight. I left the hoodies on my bed and made my way to my bathroom.
“Eve... you there?”
“Good evening, Hannah,” I head Eve’s robotic voice say. I shuddered at the memory of the guards asking us who we were before we ran. “You have the bonfire tonight. Would you like me to pick out something to wear?”
“No, thanks. I’m good, Eve. I just wanted to put my hair in a fishtail braid and drop off these hoodies.”
“Would you like me to braid your hair for you?”
“Yes, thank you Eve.” I smiled. Eve knew I couldn’t make a fishtail braid for my life.
Landon was waiting outside for me when I came out. It was our second time going out to the beach together and quite honestly, I loved it. As a student, I never went out to the beach. It was always filled with the teenage workers. They were all so intimidating, but now I go almost every week. He held my hand in his as we walked down the sidewalk again, towards the beach. I could hear music drifting out of the windows of some houses, the slight whirrr noise the vehicles made, hovering their way down the streets. The usual things-- the ocean crashing against the shore, the birds chirping. A small tropical breeze wafted the scent of food cooking from houses, their families called to the dinner table. I could smell the barbecue wafting from the beach as the sound of the ocean and the music playing grew louder.
Landon stopped me. He turned me to make me look at him in the eyes. Those absolutely gorgeous bright blue eyes that made my heart melt. He held my waist in his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself closer to him. He pressed his lips into mine and I couldn’t help but smile after he pulled just inches away. I could feel his heartbeat, and I bet he could feel mine.
I almost forgot about the cells that night. When I reminded myself of it, I felt the skin on the back of my neck prickle and chills run down my spine. It was crazy enough they were keeping people in the back of the building, but what was even worse was that absolutely no one knew that it was happening. I tried to shake off the feeling that someone was watching us.
I walked over to go dance. I don’t think I knew what song was playing-- I don’t listen to current radio. I listen to the older things from before the earthquake, when where we lived was still New York. I liked to listen to old indie music from when my mom was my age. I danced anyways. The heat wrapping around our bodies on the crowded dance floor was energizing. The beat resounded through my body, tingling at my fingertips. I smiled, swirling my hips and closing my eyes. Someone grabbed me and pulled me close to them. I peeled my eyes open to see Jack dancing with me. His hands were on my hips, moving them from side to side. I gave him a look, stepping back and looking around for Landon.
