F29DWN
It's been four months since the crash. Everyone was hoping, waiting, and scared. Every single one of them kept themselves busy. They couldn't take it, they couldn't think. Ever since the storm, they couldn't believe how they had to start from scratch.
But during those four months, they have been making themselves at home, building huts, trying to never forget themselves. Jackson was fishing ashore, he couldn't keep his mind off what Melissa told him on that one, rainy night. He never felt this much care and acceptance from one person, especially from one person you thought would be scared to death. His eyes pierced the warm, blue water. He felt as if he was at peace yet millions of questions buzzed around his troubled head. Jackson looked off into the distance and saw Melissa cutting up fruits for them to eat.
She was so graceful yet so clumsy in a way that Jackson cannot describe. He knew that she cared so much for him, but he couldn't find a way to let her in his heart. Jackson let the fishing go for a while, knowing that what luck did he ever have in catching fish?
He walked over to Melissa and sat next to her. Melissa didn't notice Jackson until he cleared his voice.
"Ahem..." Said Jackson. Melissa looked up from the fruits and gazed at Jackson.
' Wow. She really is beautiful.' Thought Jackson. Melissa, who was once an awkward teen, matured into a young woman. Her curves began to show even more and her face was still flawless, with her full lips and sweet smile. Her long, black, flowing hair that she kept tied most of the time. She was patient with Jackson, knowing that when and if they get rescued, they would start to go out. Melissa's face brightened when she saw Jackson.
"Oh, hey." Said Melissa as she went on cutting the fruit.
"So, what are you doing?" Asked Jackson. ' Nice going stupid. You see that she's cutting fruit.' Thought Jackson.
"Making Lunch. Weren't you catching fish?" Asked Melissa. ' Nice going stupid. You saw that he was catching fish.' Thought Melissa.
"I was, but I think I'm hopeless. Let's face it. Fish hate me." Said Jackson with a pout. Melissa laughed her full laugh. Jackson loved her laugh because it was a sincere laugh, unlike other people.
"Oh, c'mon. They can't be scared of you. They're fish, what do the know?" Said Melissa still giggling.
"Yeah, right." Said Jackson looking deep into Melissa's eyes.
"Well, I think they are intimidated by you. Why don't you try to smile?" Said Melissa distributing the fruit into coconut shells.
"I think the more the fish will be scared." Said Jackson. Melissa burst into laughter. She couldn't take his jokes, they were too funny. Jackson started to laugh too. And Nathan and Daley came and sat on the logs they made as seats.
"What's so funny?" Asked Daley picking up a coconut shell.
"Nothing. Just...hehehe...la-hahaha-ug-hahaha-hing...hahaaha!" Laughed Melissa and Jackson. Nathan and Daley smiled to themselves knowing that two shared a "moment." Nathan looked over to Daley and wondered if he'd every share those kind of moments with her. Daley felt Nathan's eyes burning a hole through her skin. She couldn't accept that she had feelings for Nathan. Daley and Nathan both suddenly looked away from each other and picked at the fruit that Melissa prepared.
"Lunch already?" Asked Taylor as she came from the beach.
"Yeah." Lex who came from the plane debris trying to save whatever was left of it.
Eric poked around and asked," Do we have anything other than fruit around here?"
"You can't expect a full course buffet here, Eric." Said Melissa a bit annoyed.
"I know that. But there has to be other food besides, bananas and mango everyday." Said Eric as he picked at his food.
Everyone ignored him for he was about the only person who complained about the food, well, maybe Taylor.
"I'll go and get some water, I finished eating anyway." Said Melissa. The group acknowledged her decision. Melissa went off to get some water and Jackson followed after he finished his food. Melissa was sitting by the river where they get the water with the two large jugs by her side. She stared into the river, deep in thought. Jackson studied her face. She had a serious & sad expression on, the one that Jackson rarely saw. Jackson emerged from the bushes and trees and crept up behind Melissa. "You okay?" Said Jackson suddenly.
Melissa quickly stood up and said,"Yeah." She said as she wiped her face as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Mel, what is it?" Said Jackson softly. "Nothing. Really it's nothing." Said Melissa as she picked up the two water jugs and left Jackson standing alone. Jackson took a look into the water and saw something in the bottom.
Jackson picked it up and found out that it was a message in a bottle. Jackson opened the bottle and took out the paper. He unfolded it and it read:
Dear Jackson,
I guess that it's safe to say that I haven't been completely honest with you these past four months. I guess you may be wondering, 'how could she do this to me?' I know my problems have nothing to do with you, and nothing to do with the group. But it affects me and it hurts. You know, I've felt more of a misfit at school. Though I don't exactly come from a place where I shouldn't worry not fitting in, its my past that's been bothering me. When I was just a freshmen in high school, before I went to Hartwell, I guess you could say, the shyest girl you have ever known. As time passed, people got annoyed with me because I never said anything and they thought I was doing it for attention.
They called me names, vandalized all my things, and even beat me up at occasional times. But I just ignored it, and let it be. My parents never knew what was happening to me at the school because they were always busy with work. But one time, is that one time I will never forget. One of the school bullies, who always threatened to kill me, I never really took notice cornered me one day after school.
He took me by the neck and took out his knife. He slowly lifted up my skirt, and. And raped me. After he was done he took the knife and cut my neck. That explains the tiny scar. After my parents found out the scar on my neck, they decided to switch me to Hartwell.
I was extremely happy, no one knows me at that new school. I thought it would be a new beginning. So, I became socially active. So that none of that stuff that happened to me in the past will repeat itself. It all stops there. everything. I hate my life I really do. But when I met you, I realized that I'm not alone. Someone who is like me, hiding behind an image, hiding a dark past. I guess that's why I wanted to get closer to you because I knew you understand.
I know that this might be sudden for you. I never thought I would have to tell anyone this, but I guess, I trust you to tell you the truth. You can stay away if you want, or you don't even have to talk to me. I'm not forcing you to. But I want to let you know that I really care about you and I want us to stay friends. I hope you understand. But I have a strong feeling that you will.
Melissa.
Jackson stood there staring at the letter. He never knew behind that innocent smile lies a dark past. Jackson folded up the letter and walked back to camp deep in thought. He wondered how long Melissa kept this secret from everybody. As the sight of camp drew near, he saw Melissa doing some laundry. Jackson watched her with a worried expression. A slow tear dripped from the corner of Melissa's eye.
