Floating in the Abyss ✔️

Chapter 43

Laura and Chris explained when and where I would go to see the specialist. They said it would be exactly like seeing Ben at the gym in the hospital, except for a different reason and it won't be Ben. I understood a bit more after that and felt more comfortable with the idea.

"You're both going to come with me, right?" I asked.

"We can take you, but I think it should be just you with the specialist. We'll come in at the start though, of course." Laura told me.

"Oh. Couldn't you stay?" I said quietly. It was frightening enough meeting knew people, let alone being left in a room with only a stranger.

"We'll see on the day. I'll try to get an appointment in the next few days." She answered.

We chatted for a bit more until we were all satisfied with the communication and then I went back into the lounge. Outside the glass doors I could see Nick running around with a basketball, occasionally shooting it into the hoop. I sat and watched him from the couch and saw how high he could jump. He was already so much taller than me, but he had to be at least double my height when he jumped.

"Come out here!" He called, noticing me. I tried to unlock the door and get out, but even after jiggling the key, it didn't work. Nick laughed as he came and opened the door for me but didn't make a comment. I sat nearby and watched him. I had never been out here before. There was a pool which I'm assuming was only really used in summer. There were some beach chairs and a barbeque surrounding it. I'm sure they have lots of fun swimming.

"You can swim with us in summer. The weather should start to get warmer soon too." Nick noticed my staring.

"I'll just watch I think."

"Why?" He eyed me. I shrugged. "Can you swim?" I slowly shook my head. I'd never even been in a baby pool. The fees for school swimming were never paid so I just watched the other kids or didn't go to school on those days. "We can teach you, don't worry." I didn't really want to learn how to swim. I could drown.

"What's the time?" I asked.

"Like 2:30. Got somewhere to be?"

"Yes, actually." I poked my tongue out. "I'm going skateboarding with Austin and Sean."

"Right." He said, suddenly uninterested.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Why don't you care anymore?"

"What time are you going?" He asked me, trying to change the subject.

"I don't know. Austin said he'd call me to tell me, so I need to get my phone."

"Don't bother, his school hasn't finished yet. You can wait a bit longer."

"I just don't want to miss it." I told him, standing up.

"Have a go of this first. Catch." He threw the basketball at me, fairly gently, but even then, I didn't catch it. "We've got a lot of work to do." He mumbled.

We spent the next while playing with the basketball. He helped me to get better at catching and even showed me how to aim for the hoop. If you get it in the box on the backboard it goes in almost every time. I got it in only once.

"Good job!" Nick smiled. I can't believe how different he actually is to what I thought of him when I first met him. Sometimes he does little grumpy things, but most of the time he's really nice and fun to be around. "Austin has probably texted you by now." I gasped, having forgotten, and raced inside to check my phone. There wasn't a message from Austin, but there was one from a new number that I didn't have.

Hey Ash, it's Sean. Austin's phone died and Jonah decided to stay at school. We're coming to you now to pick you up.

"Did he message?" Asked Nick.

"No, Sean did." Nick's jaw clenched slightly, and he stood taller. "They're coming to get me now."

"Tell him I'll bring you to the skate park. They won't be past there yet." I nodded and texted to say that I was driving, and I would meet them there.

"Can you save his number on my phone? I don't know how."

"Why do you need to save his number?" He grumbled.

"So that I can text him."

"You don't need to." He continued but did it anyway.

We pulled up at the skate park and I looked around for Austin. There were a few little kids, riding their bikes, but mainly teenage boys. Some looked a lot older than I did, and kind of scary. There weren't any other girls on skateboards.

"Want to stay or come back home?"

"Stay. Thankyou for driving me."

"No worries. Stay with Sean and Austin and don't talk to anyone else. Call me if you need." I nodded and smiled before getting out of the car. I was all jittery and nervous.

"Hey." Grinned Sean, riding up to me. "Look at Austin." He pointed. He stood up at the top of a huge drop and without any warning, slammed the board down and flew down the ramp, then back up the other side in a giant 'u' shape.

It looked terrifying yet exhilarating at the same time and I couldn't help but feel desperate to be able to do it.

"Could I do that one day?" I asked Sean.

"I reckon. I'll teach you." I smiled and we went over to Austin.

"Ready Ash?" Austin asked.

"I guess."

We moved away from the ramps and went to the grass. I was a bit confused at first but understood when I was practicing to just stand on the board. It was easier than I thought, but that thought changed as soon as we went onto the concrete. The second I tried to stand on the board, it went flying out underneath me. Austin caught me just in time and Sean raced after the board.

"It'll get easier, I promise." I believed him. I was already determined to be successful.

VOTE AND FOLLOW @sydnie6624

Fun fact - I've been learning to skateboard for about 2 days and i've fallen in love with it. It's so much fun.

Updating since it's my birthday and I'm 15!!