It Started With Lake (Book 1)

Chapter 16: Lake

*Warning this chapter may be graphic for some readers*

It was almost three o'clock in the morning, and I still couldn't sleep. It had begun raining a few minutes ago, and the thunderstorm was keeping me up.  I got out of bed and closed Emani's window. She was snoring, and I crept back beside her, trying to be as quiet as possible. Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled at me.

"What are you still doing up?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

"I can't sleep. I hate when it rains."

"Bad memories?"

I inclined my head. "Something like that. It makes me think of my parents."

Perhaps I should have told her how they really died. I remember that it was raining that night, and my parents decided to stay home from their scheduled event. A man came into our home wearing a mask and holding a gun. I heard my dad downstairs pleading with the stranger to leave, but he wouldn't budge. I knew immediately that we were in danger, and I allowed my mom to push me into the walk-in closet in their bedroom. She made me promise to stay inside, no matter what happened.

A gunshot rang out, and my mother ran towards the commotion. She screamed, and the intruder reloaded his weapon. I shuffled out of the closet, and my mother yelled for me to run. I saw my father's lifeless body lying on the floor, and tears clouded my vision. Then the man fired at my mom, and she fell to the ground, blood oozing from her head. He pointed his gun at me, but sirens from a distance made him run out the front door.

I never told anyone about that night. The last time I talked about it was with the police. They never found the man that did it, and it ate away at me for years. I blamed myself for staying in the closet even though I was a kid. I wish I had done more. Maybe my parents would still be alive.

"Hey, are you ok?" Emani asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. She looked up at me with hopeful eyes.

I didn't say anything.

"Lake, you can talk to me," she said, reaching for my hand.

I pressed my palm against her face. "There are just some things I'm not ready to talk about."

Emani looked hurt, but she nodded. "Ok, I understand."

"One day, I want to open up, but I don't know-how. Some days I feel so broken like I'll never be normal."

Her eyes widened, and she curled herself into me. "I used to feel that way, but I don't anymore. You're not broken, Lake. You have come so far, and I'm proud of you."

I kissed her forehead, sweeping a strand of hair from her face. "Maybe. I just wish life had a rewind button. There are so many things I would do-over."

"I know the feeling."

Around five, I got up and caught the bus home. I didn't want to risk Emani's mom finding me again and castrating me. As I got off the bus, I noticed Jordan's car in the driveway and grinned. I'd missed him and was glad he was back in town. At least I wouldn't have to deal with Larry alone.

I trudged toward the front door, dreading seeing Larry. The moment I stepped into the living room, I heard arguing. Larry and Jordan were in a heated discussion in the kitchen. I dropped my bag on the floor and approached them quietly. Larry was drinking alcohol, and Jordan was fussing about him being in the house. I forgot to tell him Larry was staying there.

"Larry, you shouldn't be here," Jordan hissed. "You deserve to be on the damn streets for all I care. The way you treated Lake and I growing up was horrible. You beat us all the damn time." Jordan stopped yelling when he spotted me.

"Oh good fat ass is here," Larry joked, taking a swig of his beer. "One big party now. Lake, where is Ebony at?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Her name is Emani."

"Larry shut the hell up and get out," Jordan ordered, grabbing him by the collar. He shoved him outside, and I released the breath I'd been holding.

"I meant to tell you he was here, but I forgot."

Jordan looked down at the empty bottle on the counter and sighed. "He will never change. It's like no matter where we go, and we can't get rid of him, Lake."

Jordan was right. "He blackmailed me into letting him crash here."

"I see. It's ok." Jordan looked at the clock and then me. "Why are you up so early?"

I blushed. "I was with Emani."

Jordan chuckled. "I should have known. "Are you being safe, bro?"

Oh, God.

"I'm not sleeping with her."

He picked up my niece. "Good, you don't need one of these. They are expensive."

"I don't want kids until I'm married, and I don't see that happening until college."

An excited gleam filled his eyes. "I didn't know you were applying to college. I'm proud of you, Lake. You can do anything you put your mind to. I love Florida. I'm thinking about moving there next year. I just want a fresh start somewhere no one knows me."

I used to think about moving all of the time until I met Emani. "You should do it, bro."

"I don't want to leave you behind, though."

I waved him off. "I'll be fine."

Jordan seemed to consider what I said. "You should come with me! I'm sure you could get into some schools in Florida."

"I'll think about it."

Jordan checked the mail and handed me an envelope. It was from the University of Chicago. I applied a few weeks ago but wasn't expecting a response so soon. I decided to get all my mail sent here because I didn't trust Larry to give it to me.

I quickly opened it, and the letter read:

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Thank you for your interest in the University of Chicago. After careful consideration, the admissions committee regrets to inform you we can't offer you admission to our college. We thank you once again for applying and wish you good luck in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

William Carver
Dean of admissions

I crumpled the letter and threw it in the trash.
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