War of Peace

Chapter Eight

Maddie

The afternoon sun is hot. It's warmer than yesterday plus I'm actually wearing warmer clothes than before. It's good to finally be out of that stupid prom dress. I suddenly remember the clothes from Ali. I do my best to shake away the detailed image of her dropping to her knees on the concrete and clutching her bloodied stomach. I'll have to give them their clothes later as everyone seems to be off doing their own things.

I glance over at Silas who's talking to Kyle. If it weren't for him, Ali's bag would've been torn open as if a pack of wolves went through it. It's almost as if he knew the bag meant something to me. There's something about Silas though I can't quite figure out what. He's different. Concentrated. His brows are always pressed together and he keeps eye contact with anyone speaking to him. Maybe he notices small things about me, I hope not. I'm constantly picking my nails out of habit, playing with my hair and looking around anxiously. He looks up from his conversations and finds me staring on the other side of the forest. His mouth curves into a smile and I turn around immediately with butterflies in my stomach.

I'm with Cooper and I start walking without speaking. She follows without questioning me but i can tell she wants to know what's up. She's a bit nosy and it drives me insane. We both find a lake probably a quarter of a mile from where we set up camp. It's beautiful. The sun shines against the still, bluish green water. It winks at me and I smile for a short period until I hear someone coming. I get tense but it's just Kyle and Silas.

I look over at Cooper and she's rolling her eyes. "Why did they have to come and ruin our moment of peace?" She asks annoyingly.

I remember that Silas is Cooper's cousin and I still can't picture it yet. Silas is someone I'm trying not to fall for and Cooper was my childhood best friend. I can't believe I never knew Silas before. I wonder if it would be any different if I met him years ago, would I still be falling for him?

My train of thought is broken when Silas splashes into the lake water. Kyle pushed him in. Silas trudges out of the water laughing and the next thing I know Kyle is in the water after Silas repays him with a push, looking up at him as if Silas has just slapped him. I guess he did in a way.

I look over at Cooper and she now has her arms crossed and she looks at the boys as if they're idiots. I'm not one to judge because I'm so tempted to jump in and join them. Not just because Silas is there but it looks like a lot of fun. A lot more fun than seeing flashbacks every ten minutes and worrying about the future.

I look back over at Silas who is now cannonballing into the water, splashing it all over Kyle. Now that they're both in the water, it's a splash fight. The water is stirring up and becoming murky from the dirt below. Now this, to me, seems slightly childish but I may as well let them have their fun for a bit.

"Boys," Cooper says with a sigh.

I only smile a little but my eyes are still focused on Silas. He looks good even when he's acting childish and his hair's wet. The way it sits messily atop his head is almost hypnotic.

"Do you think Silas is kinda cute?" She asks me.

That's when I realize I'm staring for too long. I don't want to think he's cute or even like him as a person but it's impossible.

"No!" I say, trying to sound like I detest the idea.

"Come on, I see the way you look at him," she teases and nudges me to the side.

What way do I look at him? I don't look at him a certain way I just look and that's that. I don't understand where this is coming from but I've had enough. I just can't be around Silas anymore. I can't contain myself when I'm near him.