So, here is my next chappie!
And my beta is so awesome, she just keeps making the story better and better! :)
Enjoy.
Chapter 2
"Max! Did you finish my Dubble Bubbles?" Looking up lazily, I shrugged my shoulders at my little brother Ari, who was scrounging through our pantry.
"I don't know, maybe, I think so." He clenched his jaw and slammed the pantry door hard.
"Maximum, I told you not to touch them! And what do you do? Touch them!"
I raised an eyebrow, my full attention on him, and no longer on the T.V. in front of me. "Ex-cuse me? Since when do I get bossed around by a fourteen year old? You do not have the authority to talk to me like Ari." My voice had edge and was coated with steel, hoping to scare some sense into him. "And plus, I can eat whatever I want; this is a free country."
I think smoke came out of his ears. It was kind of funny actually, when you squinted your eyes, stuck your tongue out, and pinched your nose. He thought he could glare like me, but Ari really needed to work on it.
"Moooom, Max ate my Dubble Bubble again!" Rolling my eyes at my immature brother I focused back on the T.V.
Ari stomped out of the kitchen and into the backyard, where Mom was working in the garden. He was such an annoying little pest – the main reason why I picked an out-of-state college. Seconds later, the back door opens and in comes my brother and mom. "She ate every piece, and didn't even ask!" I looked at my mom, her huge sun hat covering the brown eyes we shared.
"Max, how many times have I told you, no touching Ari's stuff." Her too?
"Well, last time I checked, the kitchen was the whole family's stuff. Not just some nerdy little dweeb. And he can always go get more – he makes every minuscule thing a big deal."
Ari's arms were crossed, his face a dark shade of red. "I do not! You are such a liar Maximum!"
My mom took off her hat and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Her brown hair was in a loose ponytail, dirt smudges covered most of her shirt.
"Okay, enough you two. Max, you should know better, and Ari calm down. Now Max, take Ari to the store to go buy more."
My mouth hit the floor, and Ari smirked. "Heck to the no! He is not getting in my car! Don't you remember what happened last time?"
My mom's eyes closed and she rubbed her temples mumbling, "Why did I ever have kids." I was now standing, shooting daggers at Ari. If only I could smack that smirk off his face…
"Please Max, just go to the little store a couple of blocks over." My mom looked pleading, her brown eyes tired – not to mention the fact that she was a rosy tint from being out in the Florida sun for a couple of hours.
I sighed and gave in, feeling completely weak. "Fine, but just this once." Ari and my mom both smiled like I was the best person in the world. I suppose I am the best person in the world right now.
Ari ran off to his room, not at all acting like the fourteen year old he was, and my mom mouthed the words 'Thank you.' I smiled lightly and grabbed my car keys, wallet and sun-glasses.
He returned with sun-glasses and flip-flops, his red t-shirt wrinkled. He looked like he just rolled out of bed. "Ready?"
Ari smiled brightly, hugged our mom goodbye and ran out the front door. "Take your time." Mom sang, walking to her bedroom. I laughed and followed Ari out, sliding my shades on. I locked the door behind me and look out at the beach.
Yes, the beach was directly behind our house. And it was packed. Ari was already in my car, checking out some girls passing by on beach cruisers. I opened the shiny white door to my convertible Fiat, and sat in. I started the car and brought down the roof.
"So, did you know those girls?" I quickly glanced at Ari before backing out of the driveway.
His cheeks turned pink and he looked down at his hands. "No."
I turned right and laughed, "You are a horrible liar. What are their names?"
The wind swept my brown-blond hair back, filtering through the long strands. The beach was sloping away from us on the left and the air smelled of salt. Nothing better than a perfect day like this.
"Nicole and Lauren." My eyebrows rose over the top of my glasses, Lauren was the freshman class president.
"So, have you talked to them?" I loved talking to my brother about this kind of stuff, it was interesting. And I also got to pester him for awhile.
"Nicole is in two of my classes, but I hardly see Lauren." I nodded, watching a girl and her dog go running by. A cute guy also passing us - he had no shirt. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why people love Florida.
"You should talk to them, maybe they like you." A smile played on my lips,
"Max! You don't understand, I can't just walk up to them and start talking." I laughed even harder,
"And why not? They're just girls."
He crossed his arms and looked away from me. "Fine, whatever." I slipped in a Maroon 5 CD and started singing to "She Will Be Loved."
Pulling into the small parking lot of the equally quaint store, Ari got out and slammed my car door shut. I followed him out and walked into the store, sliding my shades to the top of my head.
I waited in the front while Ari went to go find his stupid gum. They had a box full of seashells off to the side, and I went to take a look.
Right on top was a huge conch shell, pearl white and rimmed with light pink. Smiling, I picked it up and put it against my ear.
I could hear the ocean; it was quiet, but still audible. I put it back and searched deeper.
There was a smaller round shell, but a dark purple hue. It caught my eye and I picked it up. The shell felt smooth and cool in my palm, and seemed to fit perfectly when I wrapped my fingers around it.
"Max, I'm ready." I turned and saw Ari at the cash register, looking quite impatient. Still holding the shell in my hand I walked behind him and took out my wallet.
"Three dollars and twenty nine cents, please," the man said. I swear this man looked like the captain guy from Spongebob Squarepants. I set the shell on the table,
"This too."
He smiled at me and picked up the shell. "Go ahead and keep it." I returned the smile, paid for the gum and thanked the man again.
Stepping outside, I put on my sun-glasses and looked out to the ocean. There were pretty big waves today, some surfers riding them in. Getting back in the car I turned to Ari. "Happy now?" He nodded satisfied in response, popping a piece of gum into his mouth. Then he made a huge bubble and popped it loudly, getting me slightly irritated. I backed out and took the long way home, suddenly not wanting to go back.
"Wanna stop at the beach?" Ari's shoulders slumped and he looked at me, "No."
The beach it is.
We entered the parking lot, the gravel popping beneath the tires. "Max, I said no." Did I mention Ari was a big baby? Hope you got the memo.
"It's my car, I decide where we go. You can walk home if you want. But remember, don't talk to strangers." He made a funny face at me, but still got out of the car.
We walked towards the back of the beach, trying to avoid most of the people. There were already a lot of vacationers and tourists – you could tell because they are the ones who don't know how to open a beach umbrella.
I was itching to go into the water; it looked clean and refreshing, glimmering a bright blue from the reflected sun. Off to the side was a big family, tons of little kids running around with buckets and shovels.
The sand felt so warm under my toes, shaping into every step.
This is where I grew up, this is home. And I would be leaving in less then two weeks.
"Max, I want an ice cream." Ari's voice caught my attention, snapping me back to reality.
"The little shack is just over there, can you walk a little further?" he nodded, and then smiled evilly at me. I knew that smile.
"Three, two, one, go –Hey!" Once he got to one, I had already taken off, sprinting down the beach.
I laughed maniacally as I heard his feet slap the sand not far behind. I looked to the side and see a bunch of people giving us weird looks. Well too bad for them.
Once I reached the shack I turned, waiting to see Ari right behind me. But he wasn't.
I did a 360, taking a scan of the beach, but could not find my little brother. I kicked into to protection mode, looking frantically everywhere.
Taking a few steps from where I came I called him.
But no response.
I started to think the worst. Someone took him. He had gotten kidnapped. He died.
What would I say to Mom? She would kill me, bring me back to life and then kill me again!
This could not be happening.
Suddenly off to the side there was a small cry. I automatically started running in that direction; please don't let it be Ari.
There was a man and a woman crouched over a body, I saw red stains on the sand. I finally reached them, and looked down at my little brother. "Ari! What happened? Oh my God, are you okay?" My eyes darted to his foot to see a huge gash running from his toes to his heel. Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "What happened? Please, he's my little brother."
The man had gotten a shirt and tied it around his foot.
"Max, it's fine. I just stepped on some glass, no biggie." Ari sounded fine, but his face was loosing color.
The man had him sit up; I wanted to help but didn't know what to do. "Is he going to be okay?" I asked the stranger, he looked at me and nodded.
"He is going to be just fine, but is definitely going to need stitches." I let out a breath that I didn't even know I was holding in.
"See, just chill Max." I looked at Ari, and suddenly hugged him.
In public.
He gently pushed me away, but squeezed my shoulder. "I can take him to the hospital, my car is parked right over there."
The man nodded and helped Ari up. He clenched his jaw when he applied pressure to the foot. He slipped his arm over my shoulder, and we practically carried him to my car. Ari sat in the passenger's seat, still looking pale.
"Thank you so much." I quickly said to the stranger who helped us. He waved his hand as I raced to the hospital.
"Max, stop gripping the wheel so tight. Your knuckles are going to pop out." I glanced at my brother, then realized I was holding on tighter than usual. My knuckles had blanched from the pressure being applied.
"You sure you're fine?" He leaned his head back and nodded.
"My foot hurts like a bi –" I shot him a warning glance. "I mean, it just hurts a lot." I pursed my lips, seeing the hospital tower up ahead.
"You're calling mom." He stared at me like I was crazy, "No way! She's gonna flip!"
I snorted. "Exactly why you're telling her."
He grunted as I pulled into the hospital.
Hope you liked it!
And, pretty pretty please, more reviews? I only got 4, but I know so many more people read it. It's not that hard... PLEASE?
If I reach 10, then there will be an extra long chapter, promise.
