Forever And A Day

Fourteen: The Past

" No way , Katrina , I am not going to some party", I protested glaring at my boss's daughter  .

She'd just suggested that we attend a party thrown by Linda De Necker ,a girl that used to be one of Miranda's minions.

I still haven't forgotten her being one of those who almost killed me that day at camp .

" Oh , come on , Carly , you can't sit around at home and watch TV . Or read all day . A party's going to be fun . "

I folded my arms across my chest , feeling frustration at her built up inside of me .

" I can't go , Katrina . I'm working tomorrow . Besides parties aren't my scene ".

She rolled her eyes at that and shook her head at me .

" Carly , you gotta live a little . I know you have a grudge against each person in this town ,but you gotta go out there and show them that you won't let them hold you back to live life to the fullest . Besides I hear the guys there is going to be cute . I want to find myself a man tonight and kiss him stupid ,if you know what I mean".

I can't help but laugh at that . Katrina was always the one who loved to hook up with guys and that often got her in much trouble at school and home .

" Okay. I'll go . But if this party gets out of hand I'm gone ,k?" .

" Yeah . Sure . Whatever you say ,Carlykins ", she said her lips turning up into a great big toothy smile.  Real dazzling ,if it wasn't for the one yellow tooth it would've  blinded me  . Ugh.

" Okay . Catch you later ", I said waving at her and leaving the hair salon she owned . Well, she only owned half while her mother owned the rest .

" See you !", she called after me .

It was my off day today . Each of the staff got two days off a week .
This was one of mine .

I walked down main street looking at the shops and other businesses that lined the street .

It was a cold day in the month of July and I was dressed up warmly against the weather. 

I loved walking around town on my off days . I'd rather be there on the streets than at home where my parents are . My parents who'd send me away from them . I still haven't forgiven them for it . The same goes for Aunty Emma who had been trying her hardest to get me to visit her at home .

I just couldn't find it in me to do so . I know I was being stubborn and petty ,but they who knew me best still believed in lies .

Lyssa had moved away when she found out the truth why I didn't come around anymore .
Her Aunt Karen from Johannesburg took her in . She'd finished her matric there . She didn't want to speak to her mother and I actually felt guilty for starting the ball rolling in that whole truth revelation thing .

Jessie had thrown a fit , but had remained with her parents . She didn't want to leave them too . For that I was thankful. I didn't want to be blamed for something out of my control .

I just couldn't be happy ,though. I've gotten good at holding up a cold front while inside my heart was breaking.

I looked up at the cold grey sky above the town feeling quite miserable . I know I shouldn't think of all the bad stuff from the past . I just couldn't help myself .

I looked down again , turning down another street that would take me to the beach . It might be a  cold  dreary day , but I had the need to see the sea today .

If I'd known what or who I'd find there I wouldn't have gone there .

The beach was empty except for one person standing near one of the tidal pools staring into the distance . Or so it seemed from my point of view .