Page 15 of Wrecked
BOOM!
We jump apart like we were caught committing a crime. My heart is beating even faster than it was ten seconds ago. Lightning flashes and thunder roars, the reverberation louder indoors thanks to the library’s acoustics. The lights flicker twice before going out completely.
“Oh my God. That scared the crap out of me,” Ellie says, holding her chest. She immediately starts to gather her books and places them in her backpack.
“What are you doing?”
“Well, we definitely can’t study with all the lights out,” she states, avoiding eye-contact, and the awkwardness of what almost happened between us.
“Yeah, but you’re not going to drive in that.” I turn my back to her, pointing to the window and showing her how hard the rain is coming down. “It’s not safe.”
When she doesn’t reply, I look over my shoulder to find her staring at my back. Her brows are creased with concern, and I know she sees the consequence of the most recent ‘conversation’ with my father. Just a little father and son baseball game.
He held the bat.
I was the ball.
The bruise is a massive arrangement of blues and greens with a little yellow and red mixed in for good measure. Almost the whole damn rainbow. I’m so used to the subtle ache that I forgot it hadn’t healed yet, otherwise I would never have removed my shirt.
I grab my hoodie from the chair and quickly pull the wet material over my head, effectively hiding her discovery.
“Nate…”
“Yeah?” I feign disinterest and look out the window at the storm.
“Nate,” she repeats, this time more assertive.
“What?” I ask, exasperated.
“What happened to your back?”
I can already hear the sympathy in her voice, and Ihateit. I don’t want sympathy. I want to make it through my senior year and get the fuck out of here.
“Football. You know, that sport I play? High impact? Causes injuries? Is that ringing a bell,Ellie?” I avoid using her nickname to disconnect myself from her. My tone is harsh and undeserved. I’m taking my embarrassment out on her even though I know it’s not fair.
I look away from the window after a few moments of silence. Ellie is looking down at the floor, clearly hurt by my response. When she looks back up, I can see unshed tears blurring the green rim of her gorgeous eyes.
“Shit. Pip, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to talk to you like that.” I walk over to her and take her in my arms, hugging her to my chest. She wraps her arms around me briefly before pulling away and stepping back. She takes a deep breath, and I can almostseeher gathering courage.
“Nate, that’s not from football,” she states, the look in her eyes daring me to argue.
I ignore her observation, forcing myself to look away from her. Maybe she had the right idea. I should pack up my shit and get the hell out of here. But that would mean Ellie would probably leave too, driving home in the storm. I won’t put her at risk because I’m dealing with my own bullshit.
“Talk to me.Please.”
After a few moments of awkward silence, I take a deep breath. Iwantto talk to her. I want to confide in her and let her in. I want to feel like someone fucking cares. But when you’retold what a weak disappointment you are your entire life, it becomes hard to accept that not everyone will see you that way.
“It’s not from football,” I finally relent.
“Who…who did that to you?”
“It’s not important, Ellie.”
“Pip. Remember? I’m Pip and you’re Nate. We talk to each other. We tell each other things. So,tell me things. Please, Nate,” she begs.
“Sometimes, my dad and I don’t get along. That’s all it is, Pip.” I give far more away than I ever intended.
“Yourdaddid that to you!? Jesus, Nate. I could fucking kill him.”
