I don't own anything to do with Twilight.
this is my story, and i love you for reading it (:
Chapter 6:
Did you know, that in all my seventeen years of living, I've never jumped off a swing? I never had the opportunity and it's one of the things I've always wanted to do.
I could only imagine the rush...swinging up so high, feeling so almighty, then releasing your hands, flying through the air, the wind blowing your hair everywhere...
And then landing safely on your feet, in an almost anticlimactic way.
It was almost cruel knowing one resided just outside the borders of my backyard. I could only see the top monkey bars off in the distance, a porch was blocking the rest of my view, but I knew the swings would be there.
I've never had the chance to do a lot of things...
"Madison?" My mother asked hesitantly. "I was thinking about some lunch, before the doctors? I made the appointment at eight."
"Sure." I replied automatically.
"We-" My mother sighed, and I looked up. Dark lines were etched into her face and her hair was slightly poofed- like she had been running her fingers worriedly through it. "there's no food in the house. We need to go shopping. There's a supermarket about twenty minutes away."
My heart sank. "We?" I asked sadly.
My mother sank to her knees by my side where I sat on the back steps. "Baby, I can't leave you."
I patted her knee and sighed. "I can stay here, mom. Please?" I asked again. A slight wind fluttered by, and I swear, I heard the chains on the swings rattle.
"Madison." My mom sighed my name, "What if something happens?"
"Nothing will happen!" I said quickly. My mother had a look of pure disbelief on her face, so I continued hastily, "and if anything were to happen, I have a phone. And I know your number, and I have emergency medication."
My mom chewed on her bottom lip, deep in thought. I knew she was trying to come up with a sold reason, besides her worry, why I shouldn't stay home alone. When she hesitated, I jumped at another chance to reassure her.
"I'm seventeen." I reminded her, "I know my body, and I know my limitations. Please."
With a loud outtake of breathe, my mom nodded her head slowly. She looked me in the yes, dead serious, "I want you to call me if anything happens. I swear to god, Madison, if you so much as cough, I want to know about it."
I crossed my fingers behind my back, knowing she couldn't see them. "I promise."
~~OO~~
I felt guilty, like I was doing something wrong. People my age felt guilty about lying to their parents, sneaking out, partying all night long. I felt guilty about walking a few doors away to sit on a swing.
It had taken my mother an hour of puttering around the house, mumbling to herself, but she had finally felt without incident. Of course, not before re-writing all the emergency contact numbers (which only included her's and the hospitals) and sticking them to the refrigerator. I estimated she would be back in about an hour, maybe an hour and a half if I struck lucky.
Which is why I needed to hurry up and do this; jump off a swing. If my mother knew I was planning on doing this, she would blow a gasket and most likely never leave me home alone again.
"Come on, Madison." I spoke harshly to myself, "just do it."
I took another step forward, and reached out to put my hand on the swing. "See?" I muttered under my breath, "nothing bad happened."
But still, I couldn't bring myself to do it. My body seized up, and I couldn't move. The swing- the unknown- scared me. At the same time, I wanted to do this. I had to do this, just once, before I died; before I missed my chance.
I took another step forward and perched myself shakily onto the seat. "Now swing." I ordered myself.
It took my weak legs a few tries, but I finally was able to maintain a light rocking back and forth. The only problem was I wasn't nearly high enough. I had always imagined myself flying through the air...at this height, I would be lucky to get half a second of flight.
I groaned out my frustration, and nearly fell of backwards when I heard a loud voice from behind me.
"Want me to push you?"
"AH!" I shrieked, hopping off the swing, whirling to see who had spoken.
"Sorry!" The man said in front of me, "I didn't mean to scare you."
I squinted my eyes against the sun and blinked at the familiar person in front of me.
"I met you at the diner." I blurted. The man seemed surprised-pleased?- that I had remembered him. "You're..." I hesitated, then snapped my fingers when I suddenly recalled his name, "Paul."
My face flushed as I remembered how he wouldn't stop staring at me. I didn't look much different then I had this morning. And...yep, Paul was still staring.
He crooked a smile in my direction that lit up his...unusually gorgeous face. I had never seen anyone that looked as...well, hot as Paul did. His dark skin tone, muscled figure, rough stubble, surprisingly soft eyes...
I shook my head, as I realized I was staring at him, just as much as he was me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
Paul shrugged nonchalantly, "Just walking."
I wrinkled my nose at his answer. I wasn't the best at reading people, but I had a gut feeling he was lying to me.
"Do you want me to push you?" He asked again, his voice weirdly hopeful. He walked to stand directly in front of me. I craned my neck up to see his face, and he looked down to see mine.
"You're tall." I remarked stupidly.
Paul chuckled and quirked a smile before responding, "you're short."
Another breeze blew past, making my short hair swirl around my face. I shivered.
"Are you cold?" He asked worriedly.
"No, I'm fi-"
My reply was cut off by Paul thrusting his jacket into my hands, "here, take this. I don't need it."
"Really," I said again, more firmly, "I'm f-"
Paul cut me off, "Freezing, I know." He winked playfully at me, and to my horror, my blush creeped across my face again.
Great, I thought sarcastically, at least now I have some color.
If Paul noticed my embarrassment at blushing, he didn't comment on it. Instead, he just walked behind me, helping me into his jacket. It warmed me instantly, and his smell filled my nose; almost like pine.
"Thanks." I said awkwardly.
He just nodded, like this was a normal, everyday occurrence, and repeated his earlier question, "Want me to push you?"
I paused before answering, bidding my time. Did I want him to push me? I couldn't get high enough on my own, obviously. What could it hurt? Plus, with my mom undoubtedly hurrying from a panic attack, I really needed to carry out my mission quickly.
"Sure." I tried to act nonchalant. It would have worked, too. Had my voice not squeaked at the end.
Without looking at him, I climbed back into the seat of the swing, wrapped my hands around the chains, and studied the ground at my feet.
I jumped a little as warm hands caressed my back gently. He pulled my back slowly, holding the swing up higher then I had been able to get on my own, and moved his mouth next to my ear.
"Ready?" He whispered. I swallowed loudly, then nodded.
"Hold on tight." With those final parting words, he let go...and just like that, I was flying.
I kicked my legs out straight, and I leaned my head back, letting the wind blow through my hair, like I always hoped it would. Joyous laughter filled the area, and it took me a few moments to realize it was coming from me. It just felt so good. I felt free.
Warm hands seared my back again, gently, as he pushed me higher and higher. His bass laughter joined my soprano one, making my head spin. My heart almost bursted open with happiness, and I threw my head back, enjoying the feel.
Once more, Paul pushed me higher. I felt so powerful, so in control. But, there was still one more thing I needed to do.
"I'm going to jump!" I cried out. My hands released themselves from their iron grip, and I was flying. Up, up, up, I flew, higher and higher, making a beautiful arch. I shouted out, from the pure joy, and began my descent.
My feet hit first, and as soon as I felt my knees buckle, warm arms encased me, preventing me from falling.
Paul, my thoughts smiled. Our combined weight caused him to slowly fall backwards. He adjusted my body at the last second, so our legs entangled, and I fell clear on top of his solid chest, opposed to the hard ground.
I gave out a startled laugh, which turned into full blown laughter when I noticed a ladybug perched on the end of his nose.
Without thinking about it, I reached both hands out, one to cradle his face, the other to encourage the ladybug to crawl into my palm.
"They're supposed to be good luck." I explained, at his quizzical expression.
He let out a laugh of his own, "Right. I knew that."
I rolled my eyes teasingly, and squirmed off his chest, the ladybug safely tucked into my hands. Paul sat up next to me, taking my hands in his much larger, much warmer ones. I jumped a little at the contact, so unused to people touching me.
I was always treated like glass. Something to be cleaned, examined, prodded, inspected, but never taken out of its case. Paul didn't treat me like that; he treated me like I was...regular.
Of course, I reminded myself, he doesn't know you're sick.
"Can I see?" He asked softly, his warm breath brushing across my face sweetly.
"Yeah." I said breathlessly.
I carefully opened my hands, still supported by his, and the ladybug crawled to the top of my finger, pausing a moment, almost to say goodbye, before spreading its wings, and zooming away.
As if on cue, Paul and I faced each other. His expression was one of wonder. My stomach flopped itself over as I stared into his deep brown eyes. A lighter brown circled around the iris. It was almost honey-colored.
I blinked rapidly as I realized how close we were to each other. I scooted myself back a foot.
"I should go. My mom's coming home soon."
Paul blinked and shook out his head, extracting a twig, "Right. Ok, Madison." Paul stood up slowly, as if he was trying to prolong our time together, before offering me his hand. I placed my hand in his, feeling the hot burn of his skin again, and he pulled my up to stand beside him.
"Well...see you later?" He asked hopefully.
I smiled up at him, a little confused as to why he was so...interested in me, but I let it slide, "Yeah. See you later." I nodded my head, mostly to myself, and I turned around back in the direction of my house.
I suddenly turned around, "Paul! Wait!" I had almost forgotten, "your jacket!" I made a move to take it off, but Paul shook his head.
"Keep it!" He called out, then waved to me, before turning back around and disappearing into the forest.
I smiled, trying to wipe it off my face, but failing miserably, and opened the back door. Just in time, too. The crunch of gravel alerted me to my mother's arrival.
Like a deer caught in headlights, I scampered up the stairs ripping off the jacket as I went. I didn't want to have to explain to my mom where it had come from. I could barely believe it myself.
Before climbing into bed, I stuffed the jacket into my bottom drawer. I pulled the covers partially over my head, and snuggled deeper into the bed, hoping I looked like I had just awakened from a long nap.
As I waited for my mother to open the front door, every few seconds, my eyes would drift to the bottom drawer, and I couldn't help but get that same goofy, stupid smile on my face.
pleeease review? PLEASE? this is my first twilight story, so i really need to know what you all think...anything i should watch out for?
