Side Bar PHOTO-> Mukilteo,Washington
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EDITED: 7/11/15 ✓
Chapter 3: New Beginnings
In a few minutes, after grabbing my iPod, I found myself standing motionless in the threshold of the backdoor. Luke hadn't mentioned the incredible lakeshore view this house acquired and so, here I stood, completely stunned, yet again. I could not believe how wonderful the layout and location of this house was. Mukilteo, Washington was beginning to grow on me, without question.
After a few more minutes of awe-struck staring, I shook myself and descended the steps toward the long stretch of peaceful beach. I hadn't had a chance to run in weeks and now, after feeling the familiar tight shoes and skin-hugging shorts, I realized that this was exactly what I need and should've pushed myself to do a long time ago. After taking one last look out at the glistening wave-filled waters, I took off along the beach in an exhilarating run.
* * *
Feeling the sand begin to coat the back of my calves, I quickly booted it toward the empty sidewalk by the lush forests lining the beach. I'd been running for a solid twenty minutes at this point and I, for the first time, felt okay.
With the wind sweeping through my long hair and the continuous pounding of my footsteps against the concrete, I found myself feeling heedlessly free. Running provided me with an outlet; a way for me to escape my problems and simply allow myself to focus on what physically lay ahead. For me, running required no thought, no worry, and especially no fears.
Pumping my arms and picking up the pace, I shot forward like an arrow released from its bow. I'd been so in tune with my strides and the songs blasting through my iPod that I had no chance to evade the incoming collision.
From one second to the next, I was running effortlessly until a massive golden lab jumped through the forest, abruptly cutting off my path. In the spur of the moment I did my best to avoid the animal any harm and so, I toppled to the side, scraping my knees painfully against the concrete in the process.
Dazed and shocked, I whipped my gaze over to the sidewalk to make sure I hadn't trampled over the dog. Thankfully, the excited lab merely sat in my path, wagging its tail before trotting happily over to where I sat in shambles. Still in disbelief, I blinked as the animal whimpered and nudged hand with its nose before licking my fingertips playfully. Instinctively, I couldn't help but laugh once; I've always been an animal lover.
"Tyson!" A few feet away a boy, looking a few years older than myself, jogged out of the forest and onto the sidewalk in a breathless manner. With the afternoon sunlight shinning onto his features, I immediately felt my heart skip.
Mystery boy had an athletically toned, sun-kissed body dressed up in a white sleeveless shirt and large-stripped beach shorts. As he walked further out on to the sidewalk, seemingly alarmed and confused, I took in his angular jaw, and tussled, wind-blown brown hair.
In a robotic fashion, I pulled off my earphones as the affectionate lab beside me barked and hopped animatedly. In the same second, the mysterious boy whipped his head toward me and narrowed his eyes, before widening them slowly. Feeling his intense gaze, my cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
Not now, I groaned internally.
In all of my years I'd never wished to be more invisible than I did right then. Quickly averting his heated gaze, I scrambled up and winced slightly as I straightened and stretched out my knees. Without looking up, I heard a pair of pounding footsteps inch closer toward the lab and I.
"I'm so, so sorry! Are you alright? My dog, he's usually very good, I don't know what caused him to run off like that." I tensed; the boy's voice was incredibly soothing and masculine at the same time. Control yourself. I shook my head, attempting to sort out my enchanted thoughts. Keeping my eyes glued to the dog, I swallowed tightly and waved one hand dismissively.
"It's okay, no harm...no foul," I spoke quickly, hoping he'd brush me off and move on. This, was exactly the kind of uncomfortable interactions I'd been worried about.
"It doesn't look like it," unexpectedly, the boy ducked his head and captured my gaze squarely. Without being able to avert his gaze then, I snapped my attention up and felt my heart beat wildly due to the sudden close-proximity of our exchange. His eyes were the boldest blue-colour I'd ever seen and if I looked closer, I could've sworn they had flecks of glistening bright green within them.
Not gunmetal. Ocean. Oceanic blue.
"I..." I what? Confused, I looked down at my stinging knees since he was intensely staring at them with a worried expression colouring his handsome features. As soon as I examined them I winced, more so because they appeared a lot more beat up than they felt. I inspected the angry-looking scrapes running jaggedly along the surface with pebbles scattered around the slightly dripping cuts. I felt my stomach flip. Whether it was from the mystery guy's stare, or the gore, I was unsure.
"Oops," I whispered automatically. I really hadn't thought I'd fallen that badly. In truth, I blame myself for being so wrapped up in this guy's appearance to notice my protesting injuries. "Sorry..." I mumbled lamely, reaching down quickly to press the wounds with the sleeve of my windbreaker. I was not sure why I was sorry; I just had nothing else to say.
"Careful. Don't do that, or you might get an infection from the dirt." In an instant, the boy reached out to grasp my wrist, stopping my movement. Even through the material of my windbreaker, I could feel the odd comfort of his warm palm encircling my wrist. "And it's not your fault, I'm the sorry one," the boy laughed gently, flickering his incredible gaze up to meet mine. I couldn't help but chuckle slightly; his effortless laugh was infectious. "Look, I don't want to weird you out or anything and I promise I'm not some sleazy jerk hitting on you, but...I've got my truck just down the road with a first-aid kit that has your name on it," the boy smiled sympathetically and nudged his head toward the far edge of the sidewalk. "Besides... what kind of guy would I be if I just let a pretty girl limp home?"
"I thought you said you weren't going to hit on me?" I chewed my lip to hide my slight smile. I'm not sure what exactly came over me but I was being...witty.
"It slipped," the boy smiled meekly and patted Tyson's head. "Do you need a piggy back there?" He said, sounding... hopeful?
"Hardly," I crossed my arms and shook my head, still smiling as I trailed to his side.
"My name's Matt," the boy, or more so Matt, gave me a long look as we began walking slowly toward his car.
"Sophia," I replied after a moment.
Matt, I brushed the name through my mind, finding that I liked it.
* * *
Matt had one of those older, full of character trucks with travel and skateboard stickers plastered to his back window. Unlike most teens with shiny and expensive cars at my old prep school, Matt's truck seemed to be full of life and full of irreplaceable memories. Sitting on his open trunk bed, and looking back at the countless stickers, I wanted to ask him about them. However, I distantly realized that I had already dug myself into a deeper hole than I should have. It was completely unfair for me to even begin to become friends with Matt if I knew sooner or later, he'd figure out how messed up I am. Nobody needed to get tangled up with damaged goods, or more importantly, wanted to.
"So... Sophia, I'm guessing you just moved here?" Matt asked lightly as he came around the bend of the truck with a few Band-Aids, a bottle of water, and a tube of polysporn. I couldn't start this; breathe...be calm...be crypt.
"Um... yea. Just down the road," I swing my legs a bit and stared down at the ground. Clearly, whatever calm and flirty façade I'd had before had decided to up and leave now.
"Ah, I see. So you're the mystery whose girl living in the old Westbrook's place." Matt smiled as he placed the Band-Aids beside me before opening the polysporn and water bottle.
"That's me. Does everyone around here know each other?" I tilted my head and rubbed my hands together nervously.
"Ha, yea. Unfortunately Mukilteo is a tight-nit town and so word gets out pretty quickly around here," Matt smiled sympathetically as he knelt down close to my knee.
"I could do that..." I started, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Without parents around and having Cal gone, I'd gotten comfortable with the idea that I would always take care of myself, alone. So, sitting here with Matt being so gentle and sincere just caused me to feel uncomfortable.
"That's okay, I don't mind. Besides, I know it's random to say, but my grandfather was an amazing doctor and so, one day I hope to follow in his footsteps. Medicine is my passion," Matt explained easily. I raised my eyebrows for a moment, startled by his unwavering confidence. He seemed so sure of himself.
Swallowing tightly, I felt Matt's warm palm curl around the back of my knee as he washed out the cut with a few splashes of water. Then, after a mild blow from his lips, Matt moved on to smooth out a dab of polysporn onto the fresh cuts. Instinctively, I sighed in relief; the scrapes had really begun to bother me.
"This okay?" Matt asked softly, capturing my gaze.
"Mhm," I nodded slowly, looking down at Matt as he effortlessly glided through his movements with a thoughtful expression, I felt my heart squeeze slightly. He wanted to be a doctor. Regretfully, the more I got to know him, the more I admired him.
"Tyson, I hope you're going to apologize to this nice girl," Matt smirked and shot his joyful lab a stern look. At the sound of Matt's voice, Tyson barked once and lightly began wagging his tail.
"He's a good dog," I smiled softly and tilted my head to peer over at Tyson. I've always wanted a dog of my own.
"He's my buddy," Matt flashed me a thoughtful smile as he flattened the bandages on my knees before straightening slowly to stand. "There you go, all patched up, Sophia."
Unpredictably, Matt placed his sturdy hands on my hips and effortlessly lifted me up before settling my feet gently onto the ground.
I habitually stepped back and pressed my shoulders into the bed of his truck. I wasn't used to being so close to another person; it scared the hell out of me.
"Thank you so much Matt...I'll see you around," I could already feel my heart begin to beat erratically in my chest. I needed to do one thing and one thing only: get away. Without a moment of hesitation, I sidestepped away from Matt and spun back toward the beach. Go, go, go! My mind hurriedly warned me as a cold sweat broke across my skin. I came to a sudden halt as warm fingers curled around my hand, easily holding me in place.
"Wait...Sophia, did I upset you?" Matt started. I refused to look back at him because I knew that if I did, then I would surely forget the pressing issue at hand.
"N-no...it's nothing, it's me...I have to head home for dinner...I'm sorry," I swallowed nervously between each few words. I couldn't understand why but the moment I slipped my hand out of his, drawing it into my chest, I felt guilt and disappointment crash down on my shoulders.
I didn't want to let him go.
Taking one final look back, I met Matt's concerned blue gaze for a split second before I threw myself into a painful run toward the beach. I recognized right then the most unbelievable but undeniable feeling sweeping through my feeble heart.
I hardly knew Matt, yet I already missed him.
* * *
I churned the boiling soup; breathing in it's delicious aroma. Being forced into independence at such a young age had allowed me to pick up helpful skills, such as cooking. Not that I was complaining; I enjoyed making something out of nothing.
Exhaling slowly, I turned away from the stove and searched the stocked cupboards for dishes. I knew I had a lot to get used to before I justly settled in this new house.
Finally finding a bowl, cutlery, and glass, I then set myself a modest place at the head of the table. Sliding silently into the wooden chair, I folded my hands into my lap and stared out at the beach view from the kitchen widows.
Moments such as these were the most difficult to trudge through.
Lowering my gaze to my clasped hands, I then bowed my head. I wasn't very religious and in fact, I hardly knew what the inside of a church looked like. Still, after everything that has happened, I decided that needed something to hold onto. I couldn't bring myself to believe that when someone passed, they were just gone.
Taking in shaky breath, I thought about the mother that had left me, the father who wished he never had me, and the brother who had been everything to me.
Without another dreary thought, I picked up my spoon and dipped it into the steaming soup; the only accompaniment to my meal was the distant sound of waves lapping softly against the shore.
* * *
I stared at the luminous digital clock on my nightstand; the minutes passing at a painfully slow pace. As per usual, I had awoken before my alarm was set to go off and unfortunately again, my nightmares were to blame. I wasn't even sure if I could consider them nightmares because in truth, they were memories. For some sickeningly torturous reason my conscious will replay every horrible, hurtful past event within my sleep. I see him, Cal, broken, and I see the funeral reception.
Feeling drained and helpless, I slowly lift myself out of bed and begin preparing for the long day ahead.
* * *
I stood in front of my full-length mirror and frowned slightly at my reflection.
I hadn't been to a regular school in over a year now. I've also hardly been to a public one. One day did not really count. Were prep kids and public kids any different? The only thing really throwing me off was the no-uniform policy and so, here I stood, dressed in my favorite dark jeans and a faded, plain black sweatshirt. Taking another long glance at myself, I then pulled the sleeves of my sweater over my cold hands and bunched up my fists.
I hated looking at myself and not just because I made a pathetic attempt to present myself in a positive way, but because I just didn't want to face the truth that I wasn't okay. From my dreary hazel gaze to the slumped shoulder posture, I could fully understand the weight of my losses. It was hard enough feeling broken but now seeing it on the outside, as well, ...stung.
Scowling, I turned skeptically from side to side before groaning. Maybe I should just hop into my sweats and hide under the covers for the rest of the day. Pushing the nagging thought away, I grabbed my leather jacket and turned from my reflection. As difficult as It may be, I needed to find a way to function normally because in all honesty... I couldn't handle being shipped somewhere else. I knew in the back of my mind that this was one of my last chances and if I couldn't cooperate here, my father might resort to sending me to one of the troubled teen schools he'd threatened me with in the past. Shaking my head, allowing my loose blond ringlets to fall down my back, I then checked my watch and padded down the carpeted staircase.
Locking up the house, I slipped out of the front door and shouldered on one strap of my floral backpack. Long ago, I had thought it was the perfect accessory to compliment the outfit I had picked out for my first day of high school.
Stop, I cautioned.
I suddenly felt very glad I'd rejected any sort of driver because the twenty-minute walk to school would allow me to prepare for the day. I couldn't lose it today, I wouldn't.