chapter seven. enjoy! your feedback is very much appreciated!
Grace (Vanessa Marano) on side...............................>
The next day was my chance at a new start. I had "miraculously" as if overnight started to feel better. I didnt feel that hole in my heart anymore and the tears in my eyes that were ready to fall had fallen and dried up. Backed off and let the sunshine come in. When I woke up Grace was painting her finger nails. She looked a lot different. She must not have been wearing make-up or something. She looked natural. Her hair was pulled up into a ball on her head and she had geek glasses on. I saw her contact lenses sitting at the small dresser between our beds. She chewed at her gum quietly as she so gracefully stroked the brush of mango orange on each nail.
''hi,'' she said still painting.
For a moment I didnt speak but then I realized that she was speaking to me.
''hi,'' I responded rather dull. She jumped up out of bed and grabbed a box. I watched and realized that it was a finger nail kit. She pulled out supplies and a beautiful pink color. I watched intently and rather amazed as she used the tools to create a flower design.
''did you sleep well?'' she asked.
''I suppose so,'' I said.
She chuckled. "why do you speak that way? Most "teens" today say 'I guess so' or 'a little I guess'. You seem all proper or something,'' she said.
''I suppo...'' I cleared my throat. ''I mean...I didnt notice. I guess I have to work on that then.''
''don't be so nice,'' she commanded again. ''just tell me to shut-up if you want,'' I nodded awkwardly as I crawled out of bed. The overnight ressurection of my soul was not only mental but physical as well. Although my inner throat was still recovering, the outside scar was better, and my spine as well. I stretched and yawned. Aimlessly walking about as if I knew where to go next. What to do next. ''its sunday. Did you go to church on a regular?'' Grace asked blowing her finger nails dry.
''no. barely ever. I don't even know what "relegion" we "belong" to.'' I said. Grace nodded as if understanding.
''same here,'' she said. After her nails were apparently dry she started to put everything back in its place. She releaved her hair of the ball and shook it out. Scratched the top like a monkey and then let it fall. It naturally banged over her eyes, neatly blanketing her neck and shoulders.
''so...ummm...'' she started pulling the gum out of her mouth. Balled it up with the tips of her fingers and flung it into the pink waste basket. ''...i'm going out with my friends later and my dad said to bring you along because if I get to know you I might actually like you or something. So, be ready by noon. Rocky is coming to pick us up. And by the way, I hope you can swim,'' she said exiting the room suddenly. Without looking back or waiting for any sort of response. I sighed.
"i hope i can swim!" I murmered.
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Soon it was time for me to start preparing for my day out. I've always been a little self-consious about my stomach because I think it should be smaller so I decided today I would wear a full body bathing suit and not a two peice. I wouldnt want to make a bad first impression with Grace's friends. Especially if there was a hot guy there! I slipped into my orange and yellow one peice bathing suit and tied the top into little ribbons. I threw a plain green shirt on top and then slipped into some jean shorts. Put on my white pair of sandals and let my hair have its way. I smiled in the mirror and started to practice different poses and facial expressions so I wouldnt have to wing it when I got there with them. I fake laughed and then jerked back. Nope! That one is too loud and obvious. I fake laughed once more and liked it.
"Yea! Today i'll just be the shy little pussy cat. Bat my eyelashes and giggle politely" I said grinning.
I then heard the hushed tone of music. I looked back to see Grace with headphones in her ear, applying her waterproof makeup. She didnt seem to notice me so I quietly slipped out of the bathroom and stumbled down the stairway. Rocky had just come into the door. He looked up at me nonchalantly. As if a sudden reflex.
''evening,'' he said. I made it to the bottom of the stairway before I spoke.
''evening,'' I said.
''you look...nice. Your going with Grace?'' he asked fiddling with his car keys. ''yea. So she could get to know me just in case she actually ends up liking me,'' I said rolling my eyes and tapping my foot unconsciously.
He sighed. ''don't pay attention to Grace. She's quite an ass at times. She needs to hurry because I have to be back at 12:45!!" he said. ''Grace! Hurry your ass up! Your freaking slowing down my schedule!'' I knew she had music in her ear and probably didnt hear a word he said but I ceased my oppurtunity to confess. Rocky sighed and leaned against the wall. Tucked his hands deep into his pockets and slowly looked back at me.
''are...''
''sorr...'' we both started.
He chuckled. ''no you first,'''
''no no go ahead!'' I insisted. He looked down at the ground a moment. Letting me adore his beautiful black eyelashes.
''I was just gonna ask if you were feeling any better?''
''umm...I guess so. Thanks for asking haha.'' I said. He looked at me awkwardly until I realized that I had said "haha" aloud.
''what were you gonna say?'' he asked. ''ohh...umm.....I was just gonna ask about your girlfriend.'' I said bashfully. A little embarassed and hoping my face isnt cherry red.
''Ohh...well Jenna and I aren't together anymore,'' he said. ''its my fault isnt it?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
''well she was really afraid after seeing what happened. She puked on her way home and insisted she didnt want to take part in my crazy life." he huffed out matter-of-factly. Reuben arrived just in time to convert our attention.
''Rocky, why can't I go with Grace this time?" he asked. Rocky smirked a little and then reached out to ruffle his brother's hair.
''because Mick is going with Grace.'' he answered in reply.
''well...we could all go!" Rueben demanded. Rocky looked up at me as if silently asking for help. But, I had nothing. ''you can go with Grace next time ok bud?" Rocky tried. Rueben nodded solemnly.
"or...." I started. "I could take you to swim and it can just be you and me! Nobody else to hog the water or knock down our sand castles!"
''that sounds awesome!!!" Rueben exclaimed jumping up and down!
''yea!! And then we can go out for icecream or something!! But, you'd have to ask your mom to come along to supervise.'' Rueben nodded and squealed. ''Imma do that now!" he said running into the kitchen seeking the house phone. I smiled. Rocky looked up at me with a confused look on his face.
''your one of those huh? Good with kids?'' he asked. I nodded and shrugged my shoulders.
''I guess. Besides...it would be fun! Like, a little brother I never had.'' I said. Rocky grinned and then pulled out his phone. Started messing with it until Grace came running down the steps. ''well its friggin about time Grace!"
'''shut up Rocky! Just get outside to the car.'' Grace demanded.
Rocky put his finger in Grace's face and suddenly got really close to her. Gritted his teeth and said, ''you don't talk to me like that you understand me? I don't have to take you! I could just leave you standing right here! So you better get it together and stop acting out before you see yourself getting even more pissed then i'm making you now! Got that girl?!'' Rocky hissed. Grace pressed her lips together and swallowed hard.
''whatever you say man,'' she said stomping out the door. Rocky sighed and then walked out. I stumbled out behind him, closing the door quietly.
We soon arrived at the beach where people covered each grain of sand seemingly. People were everywhere and surfers swarmed the deep blue waves. Grace seemed to light up at the sight of it. She jumped out right before Rocky had parked and while the car was still in motion. She tried running for her friends before Rocky yelled,
''Grace Romania Summers! Get back over here before I call mom!'' Grace stopped in her tracks. She kicked up a pile of sand and then ran back over. I jumped out after thanking Rocky. Grace looked embarassed as (rolling her eyes) she said,
''follow me. Hurry up,'' she started to walk fast so I ran after her dodging and ducking so as not to hurt myself. We soon arrived at a small shack called "The Harbor". A group of girls in spaghetti strap two piece swim suits sat waiting. Laughing, talking, and drinking. When they saw Grace they jumped up. Some guys turned around and grinned. ''whats up hoe?" one boy asked. Grace kicked him.
"don't call me that Connor!" she demanded.
''it's only a gardening tool!'' he said defensively. I could tell he had one too many alcoholic beverages. "whats the problem Grace brace face? You are a tool'' he said doubling over in laughter. His buddies laughed with him. Grace turned away ignoring him. I bashfully looked up at him and then quickly looked away.
''well hi!'' he said. I shot a quick wave at him before running over to the other side of Grace. Her friends stared at me as if I were deseased.
''ummm....guys this is McFlan. She's...temporarily staying with us. Momma brought her in.'' Grace said with that look of disgust on her face. I turned away from them and ordered a drink. When I turned back around Grace and her friends were lost in the crowd. The only people still standing at the harbor was the obnoxious group of drunk boys.
I found a nice little shade in the crevice of the lifegaurds high seat. I sat underneath. Laying down on the sand letting the sun tan my legs and arms. Soon though I felt my sun was blocked because the wind blew and my arms started to goosebump. I looked up and there stood a boy. I couldnt see his face but I saw his body standing in my light.
''your not suppose to be down here,'' he said. I crawled from underneath the crevice and stood up. Before looking at him I shook the sand off my butt and legs.
''what?" I asked. He had on dark sunglasses so I couldnt see his eyes. He wore a yellow shirt and pair of shorts. He had no shoes on his feet and he held a sun vise hat in his hand.
''your not supposed to be under or within 8 feet on the lifeguards section." he said again, pointing to the big red and yellow sign behind me. I quickly shot a glance at it and then sighed.
''well of course! A crappy day gets even worse when I have no where to sit at the beach!" I pouted aloud..
''I noticed that your friends left you at the harbor shack and those guys were messing with you,'' the lifeguard said.
''they are not my friends obviously and I don't even know those boys!" I said.
''well...I'll allow you to sit down here but next time I catch you around here you better be reading the signs.'' he said smirking.
I nodded. ''yea...thanks,'' I said plopping back down.