Page 44 of Jackson
I took the cup from her hands and climbed on the daybed beside her. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her into my chest. I felt her tears through my t-shirt and for a while we sat insilence.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Iasked.
“I’m not sure I know what to say. I’m disgusted with myself, with you. I’m confused ashell.”
Her word, ‘disgusted’ was like a bolt of lightning had shot through me. I’d heard that word so many times. I pulled my arm away andstood.
“I disgust a lot of people, I’m sorry you’re one of them. I’m going for arun.”
I left her crying and walked to my bedroom. She had remade the bed with fresh sheets; the bloodied one was gone. I stripped off and changed into shorts. I didn’t care about exposing my stomach as I jogged down the steps and onto the beach. I ran, for miles. The sun beat down, the sweat dripped from my body, stinging the cuts as it rolled over them. My muscles screamed with the exertion, and I kept onrunning.
After a while I stopped, turned, and jogged back the way I’d come. As I came close to the house, I kicked off my trainers and dived into the sea. The sting of the salt water was welcomed. I swam until my chest hurt then gently made my way back to shore. I crawled onto the beach, my legs had given out, and I lay on my back as the waves gently lapped around my body. The sun continued to beat down and I closed myeyes.
“Jack, you need to get out of the sun,” Iheard.
I opened my eyes to see Summer standing over me. I rolled to my side and stood. My legs quivered a little and she placed her arm around my waist to steady me. Silently, I walked to the house and straight to my bedroom. I took a shower and with just the towel around my waist, I lay on thebed.
