Chapter 4
Sunlight filled my eyes, and I stretched as I got up from the bench. I had slept in a public toilet, and the remains of shit and piss were strewn around my feet. I rushed most of it off, then grabbed my bag and headed outside. The park was lit with a summer glow. The trees were tall and golden, and the grass freshly cut and wet. I tried to scrape the crap off my shoes on the side of a tree, but failed.
“Um, excuse me?” A voice murmured behind me.
I spun round, and looked at the boy in front of me. He had chocolate brown hair, highlighted with flecks of caramel. He had soft blue eyes, and darkened skin.
“My name’s Caleb, are you new to the area?” He asked, extending his hand towards me.
I looked around at the park. I was in an unfamiliar part of town.
“Uh, yeah, I’m new. My Dad’s...” I trailed off, realising we were alone in the park.
“Oh, you’re lost? That’s okay; you can come back to my place!” He offered, leading me away from the tree.
I followed him along the pavement, until we got to a small flat. He took me in and ran up the stairs. I assumed I was supposed to follow him, so I bound up after, taking two steps at a time. He finally stopped and took a key out of his pocket, pushing it into the lock. I went in, and looked around.
“Wow, you have a nice place. Um, my Dad will be-”
“That’s cool. He can wait a bit, and you can get cleaned up” he looked down at my feet.
I thanked him and went into the bathroom. Peeling off my clothes, I locked the door and opened my bag. I turned on the shower, and set it to hot. I stepped in, and let the water wash over me, cleansing me of all my worries.
“Um, are you alright?” Caleb called from the sitting room.
I spat out water and stepped out of the shower, “Yeah, sorry. Have I been in here long?”
“Um, 4 minutes and 53 seconds to be exact!”
I smiled and pulled on a loose jumper and jeans. I unlocked the door and stepped into the hallway.
“Where are your parents?” I asked Caleb, as I sat down on the sofa next to him.
“They’re at a work do or something. I don’t know, they never tell me anything!” He laughed.
I broke contact from his eyes and slowly let them travel down to his lips. They were moist and red, unlike mine, which were chapped and cracking. My eyes flickered back up to his, and I saw him lean forward. I leaned forward too and felt him press hip lips to mine. I felt him slip his tongue into my mouth, and I moaned as I felt it slip over my teeth, slipping so easily around. I pressed myself closer to him, and he pressed his hands onto my back, pulling me closer. Suddenly he pushed me away, and threw himself away from me. I let a tear slip down my cheek. Yet another boy disgusted by me.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
I turned to see where the voice was coming from, and looked into the fuming face of my mother.
“Shit, so he’s my brother?” I looked over at Caleb, whose eyes were cast towards the floor.
“Look, when I went to Ibiza I met Eddie Matthews, and we had a kid-Who is your half-brother! Why would you even do-” Mum looked disgusted.
“Well, I hardly knew I had a half-brother, did I? I didn’t get a postcard one day saying ‘Oh yeah, hi. I’m your mum. I have a husband and a son who you don’t know about!’ did I?” I shot back.
Mum’s temple began throbbing, and she sighed inwardly, “Do you wanna sleep here tonight, or should I take you home?”
“Home? You’re my Mum! This should be my home!” I cried, staring at her.
“You CAN’T stay here forever! I have a job and a kid to look after!” Mum yelled, gritting her teeth.
“Oh, a kid. And you don’t need to look after me? What was the bloody point in you even taking me away from the men who would have been my Dad’s? It’s not like you actually want me!”
I stormed out of the house. Yet another person who had let me down.
“Hope, wait up!”
I turned to see Caleb standing outside his flat, shutting the door behind him.
“Caleb...what the hell are you doing?” I asked incredulously.
“Coming with you,” He replied, pulling on a jacket, “Mum and Dad said it was OK, as long as I took you to a hotel, or found somewhere indoors to stay”.
I smiled, and he took me across the road to a small motel. It looked shabby, but the inside was clean and tidy.
“Um...a room for 2 for 1 night please?” Caleb asked the check-in girl.
She pointed him up the stairs, and I followed him there. Room 17 was dark, and the paint was slightly peeling, but it was good if you just wanted somewhere to sleep. I sat down on the bed and looked over at Caleb.
“Do you want to get changed in the bathroom?” Caleb glanced at me before unbuttoning his shirt.
I nodded and quickly went into the bathroom. The toilet bowl seemed to take over my vision, and I had to force my eyes away from it. Eventually I caved, and went over to it. I began my ritual, putting my fingers down my throat, and then letting it all spew out.
“Hope, are you OK?” Caleb knocked on the bathroom door.
I quickly wiped the puke from my mouth and flushed the toilet. I washed my hands, and then opened it, smiling. He was shirtless, and his chest glowed in the moonlight, making it even more enticing.
“I’ve not got changed yet...” I whispered, tearing my eyes up towards his face.
I closed the door, and sat down with a sigh. I gently pulled on tracksuit bottoms and a T-Shirt, and then brushed my teeth. I could hear Caleb getting changed in the bedroom, and I closed my eyes, imagining it. I stood up, and opened the door.
“Jesus Hope! What the hell?” Caleb yelled.
I looked over at him and screamed, before grabbing a pillow and shoving it over my eyes.
“Why the hell would you walk in on someone when they’re naked?” He shouted.
“Well, I didn’t know you were naked, did I?” I laughed, “And...What were you doing anyway?”
I heard him pull on some clothes, and then take the pillow away from my face.
“Sorry,” He muttered, “It’s just a little embarrassing!”
I laughed, and he pulled my chin up towards his face. My heart was pounding faster and faster, until our lips met and sent off a spark of fireworks. The whole world went dark, and we were the only ones there, locked in an embrace. Forever.
Urgh! I'm getting tired of having to do these awkward scenes from a girl POV. But, I think I have a little surprise that may stop that ;).