Chapter 15 #2
“Only those who are brave enough are willing to do it. It’s why I’m doing it,” Sherry says, and I nod in agreement. “It’s not just about school. Think about it Haven…no more being the outsider. Invited to parties. Guys actually wanting to date you.”
Haven slowly turns and crosses her arms.
“But you’re the head cheerleader. Why would you do it?”
“That attitude explains why you’ve lost all your popularity, and I’ve gained so much.
You don’t get this popular by luck. It needs to be nurtured.
” Sherry cocks her hip out to the side. “You’ve never had that ‘it’ factor.
Honestly, I’m not sure why Cyrus asked you to do it in the first place.
You’re not the type to actually do something about being so pathetic. ”
Haven’s nose flares as she presses her lips together, and I know that look. She hates being told she can’t do something. I’ve never met someone more determined in my life, other than myself.
“I have what it takes. I’m just choosing not to.”
Sherry laughs.
“What’s wrong? Are you scared?”
The rest of the cheerleaders begin to wander over as if smelling the blood in the water.
“I’m not scared,” Haven growls.
Sherry steps in close to Haven and peers down her nose at her.
“From where I’m standing, that’s all I see. The same tragic Haven who wants so desperately to hang on to her friends, while we all move on.” She leans in close, their noses almost touching. “If you really are different…then be different.”
“Fine. I’ll do it with you. What do I have to do?”
“Can you explain the Daniel challenge to Haven? I’ll gather the guys,” I say.
“Sure.” Sherry smiles, catching on to the code.
This is almost the same thing we did to a guy last year. It worked to get rid of him. He ended up transferring schools.
Sherry hooks her arm with Haven’s, and they walk away. Haven looks back, and I smile. It’s the same one I use to get laid. But in her case, I’m fucking her over. Her cheeks pink.
My heart speeds up, and for a breath, I wonder if this will bite me in the ass. I wheel away. Fuck that.
Thirty minutes later, there are over twenty people lined up on the beach with towels wrapped around us. Haven is standing beside me. I glance down at her and smirk.
“Everyone ready?” Chad from the football team yells through a megaphone.
More people begin to gather, probably wondering what is happening.
“Ready,” we scream back, except for Haven.
“Three, two, one, go,” Chad counts down.
We all run for the water, and at the last second, Haven drops her towel, leaving her naked as the day she was born. She splashes into the surf while everyone else stops.
I’m doubled over laughing as I throw my towel over my shoulder, revealing my swim trunks.
Haven is thigh deep when she realizes she is out there alone. She spins around and screams before dropping into the water to cover herself. It’s not fast enough for me to miss the view of her tight little body.
She has the sexiest hips, a narrow waist, and just the right amount of boob for a handful. She locks eyes with me, terror swimming in her green depths as I pick up her discarded towel.
“Cy, don’t. Please,” she begs, and I wait for it.
Haven suddenly screams, jumps, and then screams again.
She is splashing back and forth in the waves.
It’s late May, and anyone who knows this area is aware that the velella-velella come into the shores by the millions.
Velella-velella are part of the jellyfish family.
They sting like a bastard but aren’t deadly.
Tears of laughter run down my cheeks as Haven squeals and leaps around trying to protect herself. She slips and falls and splashes hard. I can barely breathe as she surfaces with a yell and scrambles toward shore. She genuinely believes that we are the better option at this point.
The guys I’ve talked into doing this get in a line, ready for the finale.
Panting, Haven makes it onto the beach. I can see the bright red lines on her legs and arms, but they are also on her sides and cheeks.
She tries to stand, and I push her down.
“Here, let us help you with those,” I say.
Before she knows what we are doing, we whip our cocks out and golden streams of pee rain down on her.
Haven curls into a ball and covers her face. The roar of laughter from the crowd is deafening.
“What the fuck!”
I turn to see Patrick pushing through the bystanders, his face twisted with rage.
“It’s just a prank,” I say, but as soon as he reaches me, his fist flies. He connects with my jaw hard enough that it snaps my head to he side as I land on my ass in the sand. “What the fuck, man? It’s a joke.”
There is blood when I pull my hand away from my nose.
Patrick points at Haven.
“You really think this is a joke? You’re an asshole. I don’t know why I’ve remained your friend for so long.”
Patrick swipes the towel off the sand, but Haven is already up and running down the beach away from everyone.
“Haven,” Patrick calls after her as he follows. I watch until I can’t see them anymore before finally pushing myself to my feet.
I check the corner of my mouth and find more blood. Sherry steps in front of me, a smile on her face.
“Well, I thought it was hilarious,” she says.
I did too, or at least I had. Now, I’m not so sure.
My eyes snap open, not wanting to see the rest play out in my head.
“Fuck.”
Swinging my legs out of bed, I hold my head in my hands. I can still see Haven’s face. She had lain on the sand, looking up at me, naked, defenseless, and scared, and I laughed.
My stomach rolls, the dinner from hours earlier threatening to make an appearance. I hated myself so much back then and didn’t care who I hurt, but now…not much has changed. I’m a fraud. I play up being the big man on stage, but the fame doesn’t make me love myself.
I grab the journal and run my fingers over the cover before putting it away.
I turn and slip out into the hallway. When I reach Haven’s room, I try the handle, and it’s unlocked. The door doesn’t make a sound when I push it open. My heart stops beating. It freezes in my chest as if it’s caught in a vice.
Haven is on her back, hair sprawled around her as a sliver of moonlight shines on her face. A step at a time, I inch closer until I’m staring down at her, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath.
Bending over, I inhale her delicious scent and close my eyes. I’m addicted to her, always have been.
“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry,” I whisper in her ear.
Haven murmurs something incoherent, and it tugs at my heart.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I slide my hand under hers, and a sense of calm washes over me. I haven’t felt peace like this in so long that I’ve forgotten what it’s like.
More than an hour passes with me watching her before I finally step out of the room and shut the door. I rest my forehead against the cool wood and close my eyes. There will be no more sleep for me tonight.