The sun is shining bright and it's wicked hot outside. Kathy, Chase, and I all stand under a tent handing out drinks to dehydrated bystanders. The ocean waves crash against the boat dock and crowds of islanders and tourists scatter around the beach and pier. I hear a few people talking about the fireworks show tonight and I help but feel excited. I've always loved fireworks since I was little.
Time goes by and it starts to get later into the evening. Our booth starts to lose business as everyone heads to the beach in preparation for the show. Uncle Hayden gives us permission to leave early and find a good spot on the beach. Kathy spots Owen up ahead and rushes over. Sure enough, Luke is nearby. He looks at me with a hopeful look on his face but I quickly turn away and grab Chase's hand and pull him towards the beach.
"I was already headed that way. I didn't know you were so eager to get there," Chase says while massaging his wrist.
"Sorry, I just didn't want to see Luke." I mumble as I sit on the sand. Chase plops next to me, just a bit too close. I feel his arm rub against mine as he adjusts his legs to a comfortable position. A sudden explosion in the sky distracts me and I watch as colorful lights dance around the sky. The show goes on for a long time and everyone cheers and claps when the finale is over. Chase helps me to my feet and I brush off the sand stuck to my legs and butt.
"I better go help finish putting everything away. I'll see you later," Chase gently waves goodbye as he walks back towards the pier. I watch as a multitude of people begin to do the same. It's barely 10:30 and I'm wide awake. I ponder what I want to do but someone's hand startles me. I turn to see an eager Luke standing behind me.
I try to shrug off his hand but his hold is too strong. "I want to talk to you," he says but I refuse to look at him. "Please." He begs.
"Leave me alone. I thought I made that clear to you," I force his hand to let go and he doesn't fight back. I try hard not to look at him, but I can feel he's upset by my response.
"I think you're overreacting," he says and I feel myself getting more and more irritated. "Am I? I think any normal person would react the way I am after being bullied by someone over and over again," I spit out the word bullied venomously.
"I'm not bullying you. Not intentionally," he says and I've had enough.
"Just go away," I say and turn around and run off towards the back of the bar. I'm happy when I see a familiar face walking past. "Gill!" I say a little too enthusiastically. Hopefully Luke will see us talking and decide to take the hint and leave me alone.
Gill approaches me but he doesn't seem happy. "I saw you watching the show with Chase. I was hoping you would have chosen to see the show with me."
Two whiney boys in one night? Geeze. "We finished working our booth together so it just sort of happened that way. It wasn't anything romantic," I say, hoping to make him ease up. I don't know why I'm explaining myself to him. I haven't done anything wrong.
Gill closes the gap between us. "Have you even bothered thinking about what I asked you the other day? You're all I've been thinking about."
"Look, Gill, I'm just not ready yet. You see—" before I finish a pain spreads through my cheek and lower jaw. Gill looks at me with anger in his blue eyes. His hand is still in the air and I feel my eyes watering from the impact. "You slut! You think you can fool around with other guys for fun and play with my heart like it's nothing!"
I place my hand on the warm area of my cheek. I don't know what to say. I try to back away from Gill but he grabs my arm and presses me against the wall of the bar. "Answer me!" He says tightening his grip on my arm. I cry out in pain but he doesn't let go. "I'm not seeing anyone! Let me go!" I hear the fear in my voice and I know he hears it too. He lets go of me and his expression is changed completely.
"Akari, I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me. I'm so sorry!" He says and looks around to see if anyone noticed us. Sadly no one is around to witness what happened.
I look at my arm and I notice a red mark where Gill's hand was. I pull it to my chest and hold back the tears in my eyes. "Get away from me," I say quietly and Gill steps closer to me. "I said get away!" I say louder and he apologizes one more time before running off. Luke approaches me and I'm already in a bad enough mood as it is.
"What happened?" He sees my face and my arm but I don't say a word to him. "Did he hurt you?" Luke reaches for my arm but I turn away from him. I feel myself starting to cry and I open the back door. "Just leave me alone," I say before entering the bar.
I quickly run to my room and lock my door before lying on my bed and crying into the pillow.