“Hey, that’s my line,” he said.
I rolled my eyes at them, knowing what they were about to start.
My mom leaned against the table as she put her fist under her chin and smiled teasingly.
“Well, I stole it. Whatcha going to do about it?” She teased.
“Why, you!” my dad said.
That was my cue to look away. I ate my breakfast quickly before it got cold. It was obvious that I preferred to watch the pancakes over my parents smooching.
I ignored my parents’ little playful argument which would lead to a make out season right here in front of me because trust me, it would always make me want to gag. I finished my plate and placed it in the sink. I turned around and found my parents eating each other’s faces.
Ew, couldn’t they get a room?
“Mom.” I whined.
“Dad!” I said a bit louder and heard a knock at the front door.
“I’ll get it,” I muttered and headed to the door. I looked through the peephole and smiled when I saw who it was. I opened it and jumped into my best friend’s arms as I ruffled his hair and messed it up.
I pulled away and smiled seeing Matt’s annoyed face. He was probably the only reason I wake up every morning to go to school. He was practically my rock who was always there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on, and defended me from all the bullying.
It wasn’t like he could stop it in general, but his presence would help me cope with it.
We met somewhere in elementary school and clicked instantly. Matt was like the big brother I never had, supporting me through both the ups and the downs.
“What?” I asked with a smirk. He glared at me and pointed at his hair.
“Really? It takes me forever to fix this.” He whined as he tried to fix his hair. Sometimes, I thought he cared about his looks more than I cared about mine.
I grinned and shrugged my shoulders.
“Oh, don’t be such a grouch! It’s the last day of school, lighten up,” I said, punching his shoulder. He gave me a small smile and nodded his head.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yeah, just give me a second,” I said and ran back into the kitchen. “Mom, dad, I’m leaving.” They smiled and engulfed me a big hug and wished me good luck.
My parents knew that I was being picked on, but they didn’t really know that I was being bullied every single day by Ty—
No! Not again.
As I was saying, I thought it was best that they didn’t know for them not to worry. Besides, they have already reported it to the principal countless times, but nothing happened. It just wouldn’t stop.
I went to the front door where Matt was waiting and closed it behind me. The chill of the morning hit my face as the breeze quickened. It was still early, about seven something, but classes wouldn’t start until eight.
I was actually excited to finish this day without problems. Matt and I walked to the school which wasn’t too far away and talked about summer.
Time went by quickly and the next thing I knew, I was in front of the place I hated the most. I started walking down the hall with Matt at my side as I tried to ignore everyone including the snickers made by some girls hanging by their lockers. As long as I wouldn’t bump into him today, I would be fine.
When the bell rang, I sprinted out of my seventh period class and down the hall to head to the school gates at the edge of the school’s parking lot. I would usually head towards that direction to meet Matt and walk home together afterwards. Surprisingly, this day just went by simply. I mean, I got called with names a few times, but there was nothing new. I guess everyone was too busy to go home from school and begin their summer vacation, so I wasn’t their priority today.
Matt and I usually took our lunch together, and as I went between my classes, I would hide in the mass of children who were bumping into each other to avoid being spotted by my enemy.
Luck was on my side for not seeing him today. I stepped out of the door at the end of the hallway, walked to the parking lot, and looked around for Matt but couldn’t see him. I assumed that I was early so I waited under a tree that was planted on the side of the gate. After all, it wasn’t the first time he was late.
Suddenly, my vision blurred as something cold hit my head. I squealed in surprise and wrapped my arms around me. When I opened my eyes, I heard laughter echoing through the air and found myself soaking wet.
I wiped the water blurring my vision and looked up in the branches to see two boys, holding empty buckets and laughing their butts off. I was embarrassed, and I felt tears run through my cheeks, but I held them back.
Why would they do this to me? All I wanted was to go home and forget about the worst seven hours of my life that I had to repeat five times a week. All I wanted was to have a normal life like everyone else.
I pushed those thoughts away and was about to shout at the boys when someone else called my name. Shivers ran down my spine as I feared what I was about to face.
Taking a deep breath, I looked upon the face that I hated the most―the one who made my life a living hell.
Tyler Grey was holding something in his hand which I thought a water balloon.
“Just a little reminder of me throughout your summer,” he said with a smirk, and threw the balloon at me before I could even move.
Paint. It was paint.
The boys up in the tree climbed down and walked over to Tyler. They were barely able to contain themselves from laughing and gave him a pat on the back. It was then that I could no longer control the tears in my eyes from running down my cheeks. I saw Tyler’s eyes glaring at me, and clenched my fists as I watched them walk away with taunting smiles as if they had just won the lottery.
I took a shaky breath as the tears blurred my vision. My day spiraled from ten all the way to a zero because of him. I was freaking wet and my favorite grey sweatshirt now turned pink. I fell to the ground as I sobbed with my knees on my chest and hid my head.
I heard Matt call out from a distance, but I didn’t pay attention. My mind was clogged and overflowing with hateful thoughts toward Tyler Grey.
My eyes were blinded from any light that I could have seen. My ears were plugged with his words. He got what he wanted; I was never going to forget him this summer. His face would forever haunt my mind.
Chapter 1
I stepped out of the taxi and paid the driver his tip. My long, tan legs resembled like hotdogs that were being heated under the bright, shining sun. I pulled the sunglasses away from my eyes and rested them on my head, looking around the place I used to call home where I lived many years ago.
Once I was completely alone in the quiet, familiar streets, I made my way to the house, and could instantly tell that not much had changed. The grass was as green as ever, and the birds were flying from branch to branch. It was as if I had never left. Although, it did look like it needed some dusting and a few plants in the front yard. But other than that, everything was fine.
I had argued with myself countless times about whether to buy a new house or just come back to this place. My childhood wasn’t quite the best, but I would always choose my heart’s desire. It wanted to go back home―to the place where I was raised.
I decided to come back to this small town everyone called Strawberry Forest. Was going back to the same house that hold good yet disturbing memories a good idea? Would I enjoy my life here? Or would I just end up regretting my decision?
I walked to the front door and stared at it for what seemed to be hours but were only seconds. Was I ready to face the past? Coming back here after so many years could be a good thing. I may had been away for so long, but it wasn’t enough to help me erase and forget the dreadful memories of what this house and town gave me. Nevertheless, I couldn’t exactly stop now. I was here for a reason, and that was to stop running away. I had to face reality.
I looked around to see that the house next to us was a bit different than I remembered. Its paint was in a different color and
had a different vibe radiating from it. The decorations were of a different taste than that of the previous owner.
New neighbors perhaps?
I finally gathered all the courage that I had and grabbed the keys in my pocket. I opened the door and it creaked as I opened it slowly. Dust flew in the air as the house had not been touched for years. I took a step into the house, and looked around to see memories of the past flood my mind.
The interior and furniture were untouched. I didn’t want anything removed when I moved away. I didn’t even let my grandma sell it, knowing that I would be back one day.
I closed the door and realized that I would need help in cleaning this place; I didn’t think I could do it alone. I grabbed my phone from my bag to send my best friend a text message on my arrival, telling him that I would be expecting his presence in a couple of minutes. I rubbed my eyes to prevent the tears from falling. I was done running away and was going to start a new life now that I had returned. A life that would make my parents proud.
***
Three years ago
I walked up to the front door as I wiped the water off my face with the napkin Matt gave me. Matt had been furious throughout the entire walk. He was ranting about how people could be so cruel, especially on the last day of school. Well, we were talking about Tyler Grey so I wasn’t surprised.
He also blamed himself for being late. In his mind, if he was there sooner then maybe he could have prevented it. I disagreed and told him that it was fine. My life had been like this for years so I was pretty used to it.
After saying our ‘goodbyes’ a couple of blocks away, I stood right outside the front door, too afraid to face my parents. What would they say if they saw me like this? They would definitely freak out.
What would I tell them?
I could just lie and say that it was a goodbye prank from a couple of friends. Or, that there was this activity in school where we fought with water balloons. But of course, that would be such a lame lie, and they would not believe me. They knew me too well, and would be suspicious of the pink paint that stained all over my sweatshirt.
I decided to just tell them the truth and get it over with.
I rang the doorbell, waiting for the door to open. Moments passed as I stared at the door and rang the doorbell again, assuming they may have just not heard the first attempt. I waited another minute or two until I figured out no one was going to open the door. I rolled my eyes and guessed that my parents were probably up in their room making out because this wasn’t the first time they’ve been getting it on while I waited outside.
Sighing, I grabbed the pot that had a plant in it and dug for the emergency key to open the door. I walked in to see no one. I took the risk of going upstairs to my parents’ room and was surprised to hear nothing and thought that maybe they have fallen asleep.
Pft, come on. Who sleeps at this time?
I knocked on the door and waited for an answer, but nothing happened. I knocked again but this time, I opened the door to stare at nothing. There was no one in the room. It was completely empty as if it haven’t been touched since I had left for school.
I ran down stairs to the kitchen and saw that my mom haven’t made dinner at all. Well, that was strange. My parents used to leave something for me to eat before going somewhere else. It wasn’t that I was always hungry; I just found it strange.
I walked into the living room and grabbed the house phone. I dialed my mom’s number, but no one answered. I dialed dad’s number, but he didn’t answer either.
I was just about to go upstairs to my room when the doorbell rang. I skipped toward the front door thinking it might be them. When I peeped through the peephole, it wasn’t my parents standing outside but two men wearing police uniforms.
I opened the door and stared up at the strangers who were standing in front of me, both of whom gave me sympathetic looks for some unknown reason. I lifted an eyebrow in confusion.
“Can I help you officers?”
They both glanced at each other then looked at me.
“You must be Crystal Clare,” one of them said.
I nodded my head slowly, wondering why and how they knew my name.
“Yes, that’s me. Is there something wrong?” I asked nervously.
“Yes. Unfortunately, your parents were in an accident, and we need to take you to the police station for some information.”
My eyes widened, and my heart started to beat so fast that I could feel it hitting my chest. I felt a lump form in my throat as his words sunk into my brain and my world started to spin.
“An accident?” I gasped softly.
I felt tears form in my eyes, and my palms began to sweat.
“Are they okay?” I asked.
I couldn’t imagine living without my parents. They were one of the reasons I stayed positive in life. They were amazingly supportive and always gave me warm hugs when I needed them.
If something were to happen to them, then I would be in this life all on my own. I didn’t have anyone else here in this small town to take care of me. My life would become way worse than it already was.
One of the policemen took off the cap he was wearing and looked down at me with tender eyes, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said.
After hearing those words, I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. My parents were dead.
***
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the doorbell rang. I took the sunglasses off my head, placed them on the counter, walked over to the front door, and took my shoes off. I looked through the peephole and smiled.
I quickly yanked the door open only to face the sight of Matt holding a broom.
“Matt!”
I jumped into his arms, causing him to drop the broom as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He picked me up off the ground, and our laughter filled the air.
He put me down on my feet and smiled, showing me his straight white teeth. He then looked at me from head to toe and whistled as he gave me a wolf grin.
I laughed as I punched his shoulder playfully.
“Oh my god! It’s been ages,” I said, letting him in before closing the door behind me.
“Yeah, I know, right? How have you been?” he asked.
“I’ve been good. What about you?”
It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen Matt. But ever since I’ve moved to my grandparents’ house in New York four years ago, we have been keeping in touch by using Facebook and FaceTime. Later on, I bought my own phone, and we called each other every day.
“Better now that you’re here,” he answered, as we walked toward the living room.
“You look the same like I never left,” I said.
He still looked and felt like the Matt I knew many years ago, except that he had grown much taller and broader with facial hair.
“You…well, you look—”
“Different?” I asked.
He shook his head and gave me a smile wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Beautifuler,” he said.
“That’s not even a word, idiot.” I chuckled, punching his shoulder again.
“It is for me,” he said.
I smiled at his compliment.
Now, don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t like in the past four years I’ve been trying to change myself and get skinnier so that everyone would like me. No, that’s not what happened.
I got depressed when my parents died and lived in a place I’m not familiar with. I had to meet new people which I wasn’t a big fan of, but I found a solution to deal with it.
No, it wasn’t drugs or alcohol. It was exercise. I would go out for a run and feel free. I wouldn’t stop until I was panting for air and soaked all my clothes with my own sweat.
Doing the same routine every day, running became a hobby and made me into how I looked today.
“I hope you’re ready because this place needs some cleaning,” I said, as I grabbed his broom and threw it at h
im.
“Some?” he asked, as he grabbed the broom. “You mean, a lot. This place hasn’t been touched in ages.”
I cleaned the kitchen while Matt got to work in the living room. My house didn’t seem huge when I lived here with my parents. We had two bedrooms upstairs and a bathroom. But now that I was going to live here all alone, it seemed so big and lonely.
I thought about it a lot and came to a conclusion that I wouldn’t be moving out anytime soon. This place was sentimental, and I couldn’t just let it go. I was pretty sure this was what my parents would have wanted, and I booked the nearest flight ticket to return home, the minute I turned eighteen. I’ve been planning that ever since I’ve left.
I was never close to my grandparents. I appreciated them for taking me in though, but I knew that once I turn eighteen, I’d be on my own.
After an hour and a half later, Matt and I were done cleaning the first floor. I walked out of the bathroom after cleaning myself up and saw Matt in the kitchen drinking some water.
“Let’s take a break and have something to eat. I’m pretty sure you’re hungry,” he said.
I watched as Matt took his phone out and ordered pizza. I took two cups and a bottle of Pepsi to the living room and placed them on the coffee table in front of the couch. I sat down and grabbed my phone out since the TV wasn’t working, and it needed some fixing with the wires and stuff.
Matt walked into the room and sat next to me. We spent time talking about everything that happened in the past four years and how the people at school were sorry for me and my loss. I wasn’t planning on holding grudges against anyone, but I could never forget what they have done to me.
I told him about New York and how awesome it was. But I guess I was just a Californian girl who could never trade California for any city. I was born here after all.
Twenty minutes later, a knock was heard on the door. Matt got up to open it while I sipped on the Pepsi I had in my hand. I wasn’t such a big fan of soda and preferred juice more, but there wasn’t any in the fridge at the moment. I needed to buy groceries.
Fighting For Life Page 81
