I could hear quiet giggles nearby. They sounded like a group of girls. I turned my head to see who they were, but it was too bright to see. Everything was bright orange, despite the fact that my eyes were closed. I put my hand over my eyes to shield them from the bright light and, feeling my sunglasses on my head, I put them on. I could see Macie, Audrey and Phoebe, floating on inner tubes in the high tide of the ocean. The four of us were celebrating the end of summer before 8th grade at Audrey’s parents’ beach house.
“Sleeping beauty awakens!” Macie joked as I sat up on my towel.
I smiled. “I’m probably as red as a lobster.”
“Nope, you’re good,” Phoebe giggled.
“Why don’t you come swim?” Audrey asked me, a bit impatiently.
“Um… I’d really prefer to just relax here.”
“Come on, Nash. Don’t be a baby,” Macie teased. “The sharks haven’t attacked at all recently!” I cringed. “Nash, I’m kidding.”
“Yeah, yeah I know. I just want to tan, that’s all.”
Phoebe laughed as Macie got out of the water and walked over to me. “Well, I bet you’d love a hug just about now!” Macie dripped water onto me.
Laughing nervously, I protested. “No, Macie, don’t!” I got up and started to back away.
“Just one hug?” I could hear Audrey and Phoebe laughing from the water. Macie wrapped her dripping wet arms around my dry ones and squeezed.
I shrieked from the cold water. “Macie!” We both started giggling.
“Now are you ready to go swimming?” Macie poked me.
I lowered my voice. “Macie, you know I can’t.”
“It’s not like you don’t know how, Nash. You’re just afraid.” Macie grabbed me again and pulled me towards the low waves.
“Macie, stop. Really!”
Audrey and Phoebe were laughing. “Yay! Nash is finally going to come swimming!”
“No, I’m not!” I said just as Macie successfully pulled me into the water. It was only up to my shoulders, but I freaked out. Macie was still holding my wrist and I flailed my arms trying to get free.
“Chill, Nash. Get out if you really don’t want to swim.” Macie said, as if I had chosen to come in the water. She let go of my wrist and I got out of the water.
“Where are you going?” Audrey asked as I stomped over to my towel and wrapped it around myself.
“Inside.” I replied, without turning around.
The girls didn’t push for me to stay. They let me walk back to the house. Audrey’s parents’ car wasn’t in the driveway, so I assumed they had gone to their tennis club.
Typical rich parents. I thought to myself. When I was mad, I took it out on everyone, internally, of course.
I changed out of my wet clothes and decided to lie down. My head was hurting so about half an hour later when Phoebe and Audrey came back inside, followed by Macie, I told them I wasn’t feeling well.
Macie looked instantly worried. “Do you want some ginger ale? I bet there’s some in the fridge.” She put her hand on my forehead, checking for a temperature. “Audrey, can you get some ginger ale?”
“Yeah we might have some downstairs. I’ll go check.”
“I’ll go too,” Phoebe added.
Macie sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you okay?”
YOU ARE READING
Macie
Teen Fiction"Everyone loved Macie. She was that cute quiet girl next door who had memorized everyone’s birthdays and favorite colors. She knew your favorite songs and she would sing them when you walked by just to make you smile. She was the one you went to whe...
