Snakes and Ladders

Chapter 16: The Great Gatsby? Great! Not So Great? Freaking Frisbees!

Tatum's mind felt jumbled with far too many thoughts.

When Emilia had disappeared last night, he freaked. It was his job to watch over her, and to his chagrin he had lost sight of her in less than a week. It was a hit to his ego to be perfectly honest.

But when Emilia had returned safe and sound, Tatum felt a astounding amount of relief. Tatum couldn't fathom how, but in less than a week he had developed an infatuation with the girl. He couldn't exactly pinpoint why precisely, but the matter remained, she fascinated him.

Maybe it was the slow burning fire in her eyes as she stood up to Ede. Or it was how easily her personality could flicker, from curiosity at one moment to timidness the next. Throughout the week that she had attended Queensburry Academy, he had sneaked a few glances at Emilia. Of course, only when he was sure she wasn't looking. He didn't want to creep her out.

When Tatum heard about the annual camping trip, he refused to go. Be crammed into a bus with ten other obnoxious teenagers for three long hours, and then have to practically live with them for the weekend? Ha ha no thanks.

But when he heard Emilia was going to go, he was tempted to punch someone, just to relieve stress. After three long hours in the gym (he opted to punch a punching bag instead), he begrudgingly packed his bags, secretly praying in his head that he wouldn't have to do campfire songs and sing kumbaya.

On the bus, he originally was planning on sitting with Emilia, intending to get to know her better. Unfortunately, Ede got in his way. She had been a real pain lately, more so than usual.

Eden Beaumont may have been the so called Queen of the school, but she wasn't in his heart. Although, apparently she had never gotten the memo, as she still shamelessly flirted with him left and right. Tatum found that the only way to temporarily get rid of her, was to not acknowledge her presence. A dick move yeah, but the girl didn't have personal space in her vocabulary list. In fact, Ede was sort of like a sister to him, annoying as hell.

He shook off his current introspective. Why was he putting so much time into his thoughts about them? He had better priorities to set his mind to.

Such as reading one of his favorite books "The Great Gatsby"

His thick brows furrowed in concentration, as he sipped his water. Normally, he'd be drinking coffee or green tea, but he didn't want to be extra and bring a machine for it. He wasn't addicted to caffeine. At least, that's what he told himself.

Although Tatum couldn't help but scrunch up his nose at the taste. It was just so bland. He preferred depth and spice in all areas of his life.

As he was about to take another sip of tasteless water he heard a shout.

Two girls came into his line of sight, he recognized them immediately. It was Emilia and that other girl. What was her name again? Tatum wracked his head for a name. Aliana? Aaliyah? No. None of those sounded quite right.

Tatum was horrible at remembering names, the only times he recalled them was if said person made a unforgettable impression. So far the girl had not, so said girl remained nameless to him.

"Ali! Pass it!" Emilia hollered backing up a few feet, gesturing for her to throw.

Tatum snapped his fingers. Yes! That was it! Her name was Alisha. Or as Emilia had nicknamed her, Ali.

Tatum turned to look at the two, putting his book down in the process.

The girls were playing frisbee, Alisha currently grasping the red rubber disk in her hand. Tatum's eyes traveled, as Alisha chucked the frisbee across the open grass area. The disk hurtled at an alarming speed, cutting through the air with ease.

Emilia outstretched a hand towards the air, intending on grabbing it. Emilia jumped, trying to clasp it. Tatum's gorgeous blue eyes widened when he realized what was about to happen, but he was a second too late to stop it.

The frisbee slammed head first into Emilia's face, the fast impact smacking her hard as she lost her balance. It felt like slow motion as she fell to ground, her limp body hitting the grass with a solid thud.

By the time she hit the ground, she was already unconscious.

Two people dashed forward, one girl and one boy. Both having worried looks on their faces as they ran toward her. The male cursing violently in his head, as he went along.

Stupid Frisbees!