Chapter Two: The Nest
"You're in way over your head."
I stood my ground in front of an orange dirt bike, my hands clutching onto the handlebars with my foot acting as a doorstop for the front tire.
The over-confident rider laughed, slipping the matching colored helmet over his head. "Oh come on, I've done this a thousand times before." His big smile shined through his shadowed face after he flicked the visor down. "It's just a wheelie."
"It's just a 450 dirt bike that you haven't ridden in years, Ronnie." I countered.
Ronnie shook his head, "How 'bout this. If I do fall- which I won't, you can have my vinyl record player AND the original copy of Nirvana's Nevermind."
My ears perked up, I've been asking Ronnie for that record player for ages now, and he's throwing in one of my favorite albums too? I slid over to the side, "Deal."
The 4 stroke roared as Ronnie kick started the engine, giving the throttle a few revvings as a follow up. I shook my head at Ronnie, crossing my arms.
"You're actually letting him do it?"
Raven colored hair caught my attention in the corner of my eye. I turned my head as my other friends, Parker and Lizzy, join my side to watch the jester of our small group. "Well, he did make a compelling argument and made an offer I couldn't refuse."
The engine's howling paced down when the idle settled, allowing only soft popping to escape the exhaust. Ronnie revved the engine one more time - probably to show off - before pulling in the clutch, shifting down, and taking off in a spray of mud. We all took a step back, allowing the pieces of earth to fall before us.
"What the hell could he have bargained you for that you let him do something stupid like this?" A simple smile eased in on my face at Parker's remark. He was right in a sense, I usually have a strong opinion with almost anything my friends do and I stick to it. It's not because my friends don't know how to make good decisions, I'm just over protective over them. I just don't want to see them get hurt.
We watched Ronnie follow the graveled trail that he made in the grass years ago. The KTM guided him through the twists and turns effortlessly. Even though it had been some time since Ronnie had even touched that bike, all of his technique rushed back to him as soon as he took off. He shifted his position back as he approached the straight away, preparing himself. As the back tire completed the turn, the front launched into the air. Ronnie continued to balance the bike up, keeping the throttle steady with his front fender kissing the sky.
The three of us clapped and laughed, impressed that he was able to ride the rear wheel with such ease. Ronnie turned his head and gave us a big smile, turning his attention away. I immediately stopped clapping when I realized that he missed his next turn and was now heading frame first into the fence. My mouth opened, but the only sound that was heard was wood bursting and the bike's engine screaming as Ronnie was pulled off the throttle lever. Our feet slammed against the gravel as we rushed over to the fallen jester.
"I'm good! I'm good!" Ronnie exclaimed. Just before we reached him, he jumped to his feet and pulled the helmet off, revealing his gold and curly locks of hair.
My palm made it's way over to the back of his head. "Idiot!"
"You're going to break your neck one of these days, Ronnie." Lizzy's black hair swayed as she shook her head and crossed her arms.
Ronnie flinched, "Ow! See, you guys keep sayin' that, but it still hasn't happen' yet."
"Don't hold your breath." Parker advised, helping Ronnie pat the dust off his jacket. "Are you positive you're not in any pain?"
"My shoulder's just a lil' tweaked." Ronnie rolled his neck side to side, massaging his shoulder blade. "No biggie."
I crossed my arms. "Good, I hope it hurts."
"Come on, that wasn't even a lil' bit cool?"
I didn't reply. Ronnie nudged my side, trying to get an answer out me while we all walked back to his garage. If facial features could tell a story of a single person, that grin would be his life's novel. Nothing could ever get this boy down. No matter what was thrown at him; or in this case, how hard he was thrown, Ronnie always smiled in the face of misfortune.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
(10:25:12 PM PST GMT-8)
The air that surrounded our lounging bodies was thick and clouded as Where Is My Mind by The Pixies gently played in the background. The vibrations from the rhythm of the bass and drums alignment made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, while in each bending note of guitar made it sound like it was weeping. Black Francis's harmony completed the package, inspiring the atmosphere as haunting and calm. Lizzy's dark
maroon lips embraced the end of a toke while she took a long and hungered drag of her personal choiced medicine, exhaling her mental demons. She took a glazed glance at me, offering. I shook my head and passed it a long to Parker who graciously accepted. This type of treatment wasn't for me. I'm not too keen on allowing anything alter my mental state, even if I can forget my problems for a little bit.
"Isn't your therapist going to see this?" Lizzy questioned, referring to my recording camcorder.
I shrugged, "She did say I could record anything I wanted. She'll just have to deal with it." I was actually planning on transferring the video onto my computer so I didn't have to deal with the questions, or shame-filled eyes from my dad. I was having such a good time here with my friends. I wanted to keep this memory alive years later when we've all grown up and moved away. Maybe on a late night, when my husband and child are sleeping and I'm up remembering the past. I'll look to this video and smile at the family I had found in this dumpy town when I was a rebellious seventeen year old. Just the four of us, kicking ass, taking names and chilling in Ronnie's parent's garage, otherwise known as his room. We were a group of outsiders. We had the happy-go-lucky skater boy, the soft spoken punk goth girl, the post-popular poet, and then there's me.
"Little Roseanna...all grown up" Ronnie mock-sighed. Returning to his joint in between talking."but, she doesn't partake. She's just a poser."
"Coming from the dipshit who just destroyed his own fence. I'd kick your ass myself, but that would be child's play compared to what your parents will do to you when they see your fantastic landing spot."
Ronnie's cheeks burned scarlet as he blinked several times. Before anyone else could comment, Parker jumped in. "A single moment of misunderstanding is sometimes so poisonous that it has the capability of creating a rip tide. It's times like these that you two should reminisce on all of your joyous memories as friends." We all stared at Parker with repressed smiles as we tried not to laugh. His black curved eyes widened with bewilderment before realizing that none of it was completely serious. Parker was the artist and the philosopher of the group, so whenever he got a little high, anything he said would become a poem or an idea of trying to understand life in a deeper meaning.
"If only someone would've given Jenny that advice." Ronnie chuckled. His laugh crashed against an atmosphere that fell painfully silent. My eyesight lowered onto my knee-high brown boots as I played with the laces. I could feel everyone's gaze bear into my skin, I could feel their unanswered questions hanging in the air. I could smell the aroma that seeped out of the joint and I could feel the heat from the intense flames that swallowed the building. I could hear Jenny calling me, but I dare not answer. I could feel the panic that controlled me, the fear. It was only a prank, we didn't mean for it to go that far. It was an accident.
Lizzy cleared her throat, tearing me away from the stinging recollection. "Hey, uh, do you mind driving me home Rosy?"
I nodded my head eagerly, "Yeah, sure." My upper body shot out of the frame as I nearly jumped to my feet. "I'll see you guys later." Lizzy mirrored my exit, walking out of the camera frame completely and out of the garage. Ronnie and Parker remained quiet until the sound of a car starting broke the silence. Static subtly began to buzz against the film.
Ronnie hastily looked over at Parker, "Was it really that bad? Rosy and Jenny's fight?" His voice was recorded scratchy and harsh in result of the distortion.
Parker scratched his short raven colored hair, "It wasn't like that."
"What happen'?"
It was clear as day that Parker was hesitant to answer. He sighed and looked away, "It's not my place to tell the story."
Ronnie's body language swayed, appalled. He was probably confused and hurt that no one would trust him with the information. "You knew Rosy the longest. You were even friends with the both of them before they fell out. Can't you tell me anything?" Parker's lips thinned as he pressed them together in uncertainty. He thought for a second, carefully choosing his words. The static appeared more thick, now creating a slight high pitched squeal.
"Rosy let her fear control her and because of it, ruined Jenny's future." Parker finally revealed.
The squeal's volume raised higher and higher, but before Ronnie could comment, the distortion cleared as soon as I stormed back into the room.
"I forgot the camera."
[END OF TRANSMISSION]
I didn't speak a word when I hopped assertively back into my Jeep. Lizzy was quietly waiting for me in the passenger seat and remained quiet as I shoved the clutch down and the shifter into first gear. I knew that I was over-reacting, I just can't hold myself back sometimes. What happened between Jenny and I was something I'm trying to forgive myself for and leave it in the past. My childhood best friend hates me, is anyone going to get mad at me for not wanting to be reminded of it? Sue me, I'm just trying to move forward. She wants nothing to do with me, and I don't want to think about it anymore.
Lizzy's hair fell slightly over the buzzed side of her head as I turned the corner sharply. "Dumb question, but are you okay?" She questioned, swiping her long hair back to it's rightful place.
I avoided the question, redirecting it. "The real question of the day is, are you?" I could tell that she became unsettled by the way she quickly licked her lips slightly and her eyes darted away. "The only time you smoke weed is when you want to forget something." She didn't say anything. The silence between us began to become uncomfortable and awkward. It also raised alarm within my core. As an attempt to lift the mood, I decided to play a song by José González. After I noticed Lizzy beginning to relax, I pursued the question further. "You can trust me, you know? I'll have your back until the end."
Again, nothing. How bad can this be where she's so scared that she won't tell me what's going on? My mind began to race, recalling the most recent events in hope of getting some sort of clue as to why she isn't opening up to me right now. School has been stressful on her, I know that. Is she just going through another rough spot with her depression? After several all-nighters of comforting and uplifting words, I managed to convince her to seek out professional help. The last I heard, her grades were improving since she's returned. Despite my reluctance, my musing turned toward my insecurities.
"Will you not tell me because-"
"You're not the one to blame." Lizzy cut in.
My mouth shut mid-sentence, and I let out a breathe through my nose I didn't know I was holding. The Jeep vibrated loudly as the tires rode over the vacant wooded bridge just over Rosner Creek. I was surprised that no one else was near the bridge. This is usually a popular hangout spots for the younger generations living in this town.
I took a quick glance at Lizzy. If it's not me, but there is a person at fault, then it had to be her ex boyfriend, Jace. They broke up probably three months ago now, but every now and then he likes to harass Lizzy. "It's him isn't it? I swear to god I'm going to-"
"I don't know if it's Jace or not." Lizzy interrupted again, which honestly, was beginning to piss me off. "I think it's him, but I'm not completely sure."
We pulled into her driveway, and the closer we got to her garage, the brighter my cab became as my headlights bounced off against the garage door. I offered a water bottle when she erupted in a small coughing fit. With the indirect light shining on her face, I could see the concern underneath her clear pale skin. My voice lowered with heed, "What do you mean you're not sure it's him? What is he doing?"
"There will be times where I'm just minding my own business, and I will see this person from afar just standing there...watching me."
"Someone?"
"A man, a bald man, I think. It's so hard to tell. He's always wearing this black business suit."
I wanted to laugh, a suit? What is he gonna do, come to your door and ask if you've accepted Jesus into your heart? "And you're sure it's not Jace?"
Lizzy shook her head, I watched her eyes fill with fear. "I said I'm not sure. I've only seen him every now and then these past few weeks."
I want to believe that the man watching her was Jace, this way it would be easy. However, this wasn't the case. Lizzy had fallen head over heals with that prick, so it's safe to say that she had nearly memorized his figure and features. I'm sure if she ever saw him across the street, she would know right away. Besides, Jace is reckless and an idiot. I can't ever see him having the patience to just stand across the street to give Lizzy some goosebumps. I can't tell her that though, what kind of a friend would I be? Lizzy's is unsettled to the core at this moment and she wants to hear a problem with an easy solution. "Honestly, it's probably Jace. It's just a new way he's found to give you hell and you shouldn't put up with that shit. I think I remember someone telling me he shaved his head not too long ago, too."
Lizzy's dark colored eyes lit up, "Did he?"
"Well, this is going to stop. Next time he gets anywhere near you, you call me." A smug grin spread across my face and my green eyes flickered with confidence. "I can finally put these MMA classes to use."
Lizzy smiled, imagining her abuser getting his ass handed to him by a brunette just short of 5'7. "I'd love to see that."
"You have my number." My eyebrow raised cockily. I playfully smacked Lizzy's arm as she jumped out of the car. "Love ya bud."
The drive home was quiet. I didn't bother to play any music, my mind was to preoccupied to enjoy anything. I'm worried about the person watching my friend. There's a strong possibility that the creep is Jace, trying to get into her mind again; but there's also a chance that it isn't.
I know, another slow chapter, but trust me when I say this this chapter is very important. There is some key information in the form of hints, and some quite bluntly. I've been putting in a lot of symbolism and some metaphors, and I can't wait to see if anyone picks up on them. Again, thank you for reading. Let me know your thoughts on it!
