Page 19 of Crash into me
A splash interrupts our talk, and I turn to the sound. Brett shoots up from the bottom of the pool, shaking the water from his golden blond hair. I jump into his arms, and he tosses me in. They’re being less careful with me now that my bruises have healed, and I appreciate it so much.
I don’t want to be treated like a fragile piece of glass any longer.
“I missed you!” I tell him, jumping on his shoulders to throw him under. If only Foster was here, it would be a perfect day. His ghost is what stops me in my tracks when I start to feel normal.
Without him, there’s a missing piece. But I’ll make do with what I have for now. I always have, and Kate and Brett have always been enough.
Mrs. Rita, too, but she’s currently asleep under an umbrella, getting some very well deserved zzz’s.
Brett says, “I missed you too, Skyler.”
And so, we celebrate nothing in particular, drinking in the sun while we enjoy a day together, carefree.
* * *
Later,we’re lounging in my bedroom. It’s dark out now, and we all passed out for a few hours after all the tequila.
Brett looks back to the door, wiping his eyes. “Rita still here?” he asks, and I nod, clicking on the television. “Okay, I’m going to get a snack. Be right back. Want anything?”
“Coke!” Kate chimes.
“Oh, headache medicine!” My stomach growls, jarring me. “And baby carrots?”
“Eww … but okay.” He exits the room.
“You know, I was thinking …” Kate flashes her mischievous grin. “We could go out?”
She sits in front of the mirror, pulling out her make up bag. “Looks like you’re already getting ready.” I laugh as she dabs on a little lipstick.
She looks at me uneasily. “Well, I went on a lunch date with Ryder before I came here.” She looks at my reflection behind her in the mirror. “But they’re going to bike night.”
“They?” I already know what she’s going to say.
“Him and Ghost,” she quickly admits, holding her hands in front of her so I’ll listen. “I know you don’t know what bike night is, but we had a lot of fun there.” Her voice holds a melodic tone, and I know she’s about to talk me into going.
I simply nod. Lying to her makes my stomach turn, but I know if I told her the truth, she would drag me out of here. But she deserves to know.
“Kate?” The tone of my voice makes her turn around, a worried expression pouting her red lips that match her hair.I remember everything,I nearly shout, but I can’t. Something stops me, maybe it’s fear? I don’t know.
“Can I …” This is a terrible, awful, stupid idea. “Can I come with?”
She squeals, and a mass of red hair lunges for me. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She wraps her slender arms around me, embracing me.
“You seem excited.” When I look at her, tears form in her eyes. “Don’t cry,” I plead.
“It’s just …” She inhales. “I’ve missed you so much. You’re such a huge part of my life, and if you only knew how much you’ve grown …” She peels her eyes away, not trying to get ahead of herself. “I’m just so excited for tonight!”
8
Brett went home, saying he was too tired for bike night, but I already know it isn’t his scene. I wish I could ask him what him and Foster were doing the night of the ballet recital, but he doesn’t know I remember.
Keeping up with these lies is getting exhausting, but I’ve been lying to both of them for years. It wasn’t until last semester in the dorm room when I told them the truth about my life. How I have been getting hurt. I wish I would have told them earlier.
But this isn’t something I can tell them, even out of guilt for lying. This is Sophie’s life, and I’m teetering on a tricky balancer. My dad on one side, and little Sophie on the other. I’m running between them, and no matter how tired it makes me, I have to keep doing it.
So tonight is just a simple night, no strings attached. I’m going to go out and have fun with my friend, but this won’t become a regular thing.
* * *