Coming Clean

Chapter 2: Storm

Hi there! As promised, here is the second chapter. I want to thank all my reviewers except, lorensthology. Just kidding; he is my bf and was just mocking my username. Anyway, HoneyGoddess57 and historiangirl, your reviews made me really happy and encouraged me with my writing. Oh, and if you'd like some music while reading this chapter, I suggest: I Exhale by Underworld; it really helps setting the mood. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Class of the Titans :(

Tears blinded me and I turned sharply, running as quickly as my short legs could carry me, bolting through the bothersome foliage. The pounding noise of my sneakers resonating off the trees, an echo that matched my heart throbbing inside my chest with the thick grief I felt as I ran.

Dammit! I tripped over something. My knee hurts bad. I didn't care. I stood back up and kept running, full speed. Dodging every obstacle was nearly impossible, with my blurry vision.

Why am I so stupid? I'm such a coward. Now Archie hates me. He's had enough of me, and I don't blame him. My hatred towards myself grew as cold, heavy raindrops began hitting my face and various parts of my body. I don't even know why I'm running, or where I'm running.

Heck, I'm not even sure where I am, again, I can barely see. Whatever! I can track my way back later. I just want to get away from...

From what!? Archie? No Archie isn't the problem. It's me. I am trying to get away from myself. But that is impossible.

The thick damp-smelling air made it hard for me to breath as the rain and tears mingled on my face, salty streaks blending into the fresh sky-fallen trickles.

I quickly became completely soaked, and my once warm, sweater clung to my body uncomfortably. The pain emitting from my left knee was so agonizing that I couldn't keep running, and tried to stop haphazardly, which made me lose my balance and stumble. I cried out as I collided with a trunk that stopped my running ultimately. Holding back my pain, I sat on a smooth rock at the foot of said trunk.

I examined my knee for the first time and become alarmed by what I see. I shouldn't have kept running. My white sock was stained red, and the blood dripped all the way down to my ankle. I removed my right shoe and took my other sock off. I winced as I tied it tightly around the gash in my knee. I have to get home. This is going to need stitches or something.

I put my shoe back on and was just about to stand up when I remembered something unsettling. Rain washes away tracks and smells. I started to panic. I began to search my many pockets for my PMR. That's right! I left it at my book bag. Crud! How am I gonna get home now!?

I was going to get nowhere if I panicked, so I sat back down. A heat-stopping thunder bolt crashed a few yards next to me that left my ears ringing. This was definitely not helping me relax. A draft of wind shook the trees around me, and I felt a wave of coldness seize my body.

Without the adrenaline of running, my body became more vulnerable to the cold. I started to shiver, and my teeth began to chatter. Another lightning bolt took me by surprise. This one got me on my feet. Zeus' lighting! They are getting closer. I shouldn't even be close to trees.

Between two trunks in front of me, I spotted a small, clear area. With much difficulty, I limped over to it and sat in the middle of the muddy ground. I can't believe it. The one day a choose to run away and lose myself, a freak storm comes. Odie was rambling on about a storm this morning. Should've paid attention.

It got dark soon, and the gale was so powerful, it was raining sideways. There was a freezing chill in the air that reminded me that the winter season still hung heavy. Being cold is the worst. At this rate, there was no doubt that I was getting sick. I had nothing to do but sit with my head between my knees as the freezing rain kept bombarding my side.

I am so stupid. Why!? Why can't I just admit that I like him. Yes! I like him more than friends, and maybe even more. Then why do I keep him in the friend zone?

When he gave me those gifts, I felt this sudden urge to grab him and kiss him and tell him the truth. Like I've wanted to do ever since we met, every time he does adorable things, and makes me feel like the happiest girl in the world.

Truth be told, I believe that if we ever become more than friends, it will ruin this whole connection we share. That maybe if we were a couple instead, then all of these stupid fights we have, will turn into serious, meaningful fights that may cost us our friendship.

If there is something that I value most in this world, it would be Archie's friendship, because it is wholesome, and it is the truest thing I have felt in my life.

This is why, as much as I want to be more, to share experiences far more complex than what two friends share, I can't.

My life would become so meaningless without him, so empty. Theresa is my friend, but she could never come close to understanding me the way Archie does.

I have ruined every single relationship that I've been in. None of them last. Not because the boys I've dated are no good, though some have been. It is because somewhere in the relationship, I become extremely insecure, and I back out, breaking the person's heart. Then I feel this guilt and regret. It's absolutely horrible.

That's why I don't dare date Archie, because I already know how it ends. But then again, no boy has ever made me feel the way Archie does. I also doubt I had ever felt love before Archie.

My heart flickers just thinking about him. I know he loves me; I can sense it every time we look at each other. The butterflies, the rapid heartbeat, the sleepless nights. All these symptoms, that I had never felt before, I feel ever since we became close.

While Archie's greatest fear is water, mine is losing him. Archie has faced his fear various times for me. Maybe is time I faced mine.

I am not able to think further because of my condition. My muscles are clenched tight against the cold. I should get up, move around, work the stiffness from my limbs. I lift my head from my knees and can barely see anything because of the darkness around me.

Suddenly, the sky was split and a blinding flash illuminated my surroundings for a second. The wind didn't howl, it screamed. The trees did not sway, they creaked, bent, and moaned as their fine limbs were ripped away. This was accompanied by the loudest sound of thunder.

This is more than what I can take. I hid myself in my knees tightly again. I felt the sharp pain that reminded me of the state my knee was in. I was really scared. I couldn't hold it back any longer, and began to sob, my tears left frozen tracks on my face. My body craved warmth and screamed for help. Archie, don't leave me.

Looks like Atlanta got into some trouble. And go figure! She does love Archie back. All right! Tell me what you think. The third chapter won't be up as quick because it is not finished, but it shouldn't be long. Thanks for reading!