Adventure Bay High

The Sleepover

TW: mentions of death and drug abuse (they be trauma dumping)

Chase had spent the weekend getting to know his friends. Well, getting to know Skye. He knew quite a lot about her. He couldn't keep away from her. He was falling head over heels for her. He had never felt like this before. Now that he knew Skye, he felt he was coping with school better, and his mum could tell that she was doing him good. So did Zuma. And Marshall, Rubble, Rocky and Everest. It was obvious.

Then it happened.

He was walking home with Skye because they lived in the same area, and Skye was telling him about how Penny was so mad at some guy, and started taking it out on her. 

'She called me a pushover and ugly.'

'Well she doesn't know what she's missing out.'

Chase blushed furiously as time seemed to stop.

She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. A kiss.

'Wouldyouconsiderbeingmygirlfriend?'

Skye smiled again. Every time she smiled it felt like a ray of sunshine.

'Of course.'

Then the two of them looked at a message from Marshall.

My dad says we can have a sleepover at mine. Meet you there at 4.

Chase looked at his watch. It was 3:43.

Shit.

'I need to go get some things from my house but I'll meet you at Marshall's.'

'K.'

The two ran off to their houses, smiles beaming on their faces. 

Everyone was there apart from Rocky. They were all sat together, waiting at the window. It was heavily raining.

'It's not like him to be late,' muttered Rubble. 'I hope he's okay.'

At that moment, they saw a drenched boy running to the door. Marshall quickly opened it, where Rocky fell on his knees.

'Are you okay?'

Then he cried.

'I ... I missed the bus ... and it was raining... is raining ... had to ... walk...'

Marshall quickly ran upstairs and brought the dripping boy some dry towels. 

'I'm sorry...' he muttered.

'Why awe you apologising?' asked Zuma. 'You haven't done anything wong.'

Rocky sniffled before answering.

'I didn't want to be late but the bus was late...I had to ...sniffle ... walk...'

'Why didn't you just call though? My mum could have picked you up', said Chase.

'I .. didn't ... want to be a bother...'

The tears were still streaming, and they knew there was something Rocky wasn't telling them.

'Want to talk about it?' asked Skye gently.

Rocky gave in a deep breath.

'I have aquaphobia. Fear of water. My mum died when a tsunami came across our town and swept her away. I haven't been able to see water the same after that. It brings back the memories, you know?'

Everyone was shocked. They weren't expecting something so awful happen to an ordinary guy. It made them realise they weren't alone. Not anymore. 

'How do you stay so clean though if you don't shower?'