Destiny Rising

Chapter 6

By the time I pulled myself out of the pool, I was exhausted, and the sun was lower in the sky. I was shocked, but not surprised over how long I was in the pool for. Whenever I’m in the water, I just seem to lose myself and spend hours in it. I just find it so calming and relaxing, which only adds to my annoying “water child” nickname. I strolled up to the deck, grabbed my towel to wrap it around myself, and pushed the button to unroll the cover over the pool. I let myself into the kitchen where my parents were already there.

“There you are, I thought I was going to have to go out and remind you of the time.” My mom said, looking up from the property listings spread out on the table.

“Why? What time is it?” I asked, looking for the clock.

“5:32” my dad replied from the stove where he was stirring something in a pot that smelled delicious.

“Seriously! I have to go get ready to go” I exclaimed as I dashed out of the kitchen and upstairs. Rushing, I let my hair down and made a quick towel dry it and then hurried back into my room and over to my chest of drawers. I yanked it open and pulled out a black bra and matching panties and dragged them on over my body. Then I went to my closet and grabbed a deep purple sweater dress that came down to mid-thigh and a pair of knee-high black boots. I rushed to the bathroom and did a quick swipe of mascara and lip gloss to finish the look. Giving my hair one final toss, I selected a black clutch from my shelf and put my wallet and phone in it. I grabbed my keys off the low table beside my dresser with the vase my grandmother gave me before she passed away almost 3 years ago. I ran my fingers over the petals of the white carnations.

“Hmm, my mom must have put them there,” I murmured to myself as I left my room and headed back downstairs. “Bye mom, dad.” I called as I reached the front door “See you when I get home.”

“Have a good time.” My mom replied.

“Drive carefully.” My dad piped up.

“Will do” I answered as I let myself out and walked to my car as the cool spring night settled in. I could smell someone barbequing and the sounds of nature all around me. I could also tell that a thunderstorm was coming as the clouds rolled in and the moisture in the air pressed against my skin. Unlocking my car door, I slid in and started it. Pulling smoothly out of the driveway, I headed towards town. Pulling up at the restaurant 10 minutes later, Troy was already waiting for me with a distant expression on his face. Taking a deep breath, I cleared my mind, plastered a fake smile on my face, and got out of my car.

“Wow, you look great, Sapphire,” Troy said as he held my door open.

“Thank you” I replied politely, smoothing my dress down over my thighs.

“Shall we?” he asked, gesturing towards the restaurant.

“We shall” I answered as I walked ahead of him. He followed silently behind me as we crossed the parking lot and into the building. We were at the local Roadhouse, a bar and grill in downtown St Thomas. It was actually relatively empty for a Sunday evening as the host led us to a table.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” She asked as we took our seats.

“Water, please” I replied.

“Pepsi” Troy said as he opened his menu.

“So,” I said as the waitress walked away, “You said you wanted to talk about something tonight.”

“Um, maybe we should wait until after we eat to talk about that,” he said as he shut the menu and looked everywhere, but at me.

“Why?” I asked innocently, not even bothering with the menu since I strongly doubted I was even going to make it to order.

“I just think we should wait a little longer before I tell you” he replied.

“Well,” I replied, smirking at him, “Then I’ll just say what I want to say.”

Swallowing, so his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, he finally looked at me. “What’s that?” he asked nervously.

“Well, I’m not pregnant. If that’s what you’re so worried about”, I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Oh, why would I be worried about that?”

“I don’t know. Why would you?”

“I’m confused…”

“Let me dumb it down for you then. I know why we’re here and let me beat you to it.”

“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m not stupid, Troy. I have friends everywhere who see and hear everything. I know you’ve been sneaking around with other girls, and I’m breaking up with you.”

“What! You can’t break up with me.”

“I can, and I believe I just did,” I said as I grabbed my purse and started to stand.

“Sit. Down. We need to talk.” He hissed through his teeth.

“No. I’m going home.” I replied, standing from my seat and turning to walk away.

“You’re not going anywhere.” He growled, launching from his seat and grabbing my wrist.

“Let me go” I hissed.

“No, not until we talk about this.” He said, gripping my wrist tighter.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I replied, finally succeeding in yanking my wrist free of his grip just as the waitress came back with our drinks.

“Sapphire,” he started to say

“No! Just leave me alone Troy.” I said, cutting him off and rushing from the restaurant. I stopped only once when I was outside to catch my breath. Looking up, I noticed the clouds had really rolled in while I was inside, the sky was now black as a raven’s wing.

“Sapphire?” a male voice called out. Looking around the parking lot, I spotted the speaker. It was Michael and an older woman with darker skin and short brown hair cut into a pixie hairstyle.

“Michael,” I said, smiling as I walked over to him and the woman. “What are you doing here?”

“Having dinner with my Aunt whom I’m living with.” He said, gesturing to the woman “This is my Aunt Gloria Dyan, Aunt Gloria, this is Sapphire Tallulah.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” I said politely.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, my dear.” She replied in the same English accent as Michael spoke with

“Are you alright Sapphire?” Michael asked with concern showing in his eyes as he reached out to put a comforting hand on my arm,

“I’m fine,” I replied, feeling that strange current running through me from where his hand was. “I just kinda want to get home.”

“You should go then, my child. A storm is coming after all.” Mrs. Dyan said as she folded her hands in front of her.

“Um, okay then. See you at school tomorrow Michael. It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Dyan.” I said, nodding to them as I backed away towards my car when lightning lit up the sky, followed by a big clap of thunder. I was just starting my car when I saw Troy stroll out of the restaurant talking to someone on his phone. Seeing him laugh at whoever was at the other end of the call made me angry at him over what had happened. Who was he talking to? Were they talking about me? I clutched the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles started to turn white and I could feel the fury within me rising. As I was just about to get out of my car and confront him, the skies opened up and the rain poured down. Soaking him as he stood still and blinked up at the sky like the fool he was. Smiling, I took the opportunity to pull out of my parking spot, drove right past him, and splashed him where he stood. That had to have been the highlight of the entire night, leaving him standing, soaking wet in the middle of the parking lot. Still smiling, I pulled out onto the road and headed home to get some much-needed sleep.

When I got home, I snuck up to my room to avoid a parental ambush over what I did that night. Once I got to my room, I quietly shut the door and left the lights off, so the only light came from the lamp in the little tranquility fountain I had over near the window that overlooked the backyard. The fountain had been a gift from my sister Crystal when I was 9 years old and an angry child, neglected by my own parents because they were always too busy for me. She thought the fountain would calm me down and bring out my peaceful side. It didn’t work, but I kept it anyway since I liked the colorful lamp in the glass orb at the top of it. The only thing that calmed my anger was physical exertion, so my parents enrolled me in swimming and figure skating lessons. I had excelled in them and my coaches were soon entering me in competitions where I would always place somewhere in the top 5. I was pleased with how well I did and always pushed myself to be the best I could be. But my parents rarely ever saw me compete. My Grandma Tallulah was the only person from my family at every single one of my competitions. She tried to be gentle with me by saying they had to work or had prior commitments. But deep down, I knew I was just never good enough. I was the odd one, different from my perfect older sisters who could do no wrong. Sighing, I pushed away from the door and walked over to the fountain. Absent-mindedly, I ran my finger along the edge of it while I watched the rain slide down the windowpane. Outside, the sky would light up and thunder would rumble as the rain would fall with such force it would seem as if the gods were angry and trying to flood the Earth. The storm seemed to put me at ease, it was beautiful to me. The force of nature could be so destructive, yet at the same time, it could rejuvenate the earth and bring new life. I was just about to turn from the window when something caught my eye. Leaning closer and peering out the window, I thought I saw a shadow standing under the awning of the pool house. Squinting, I tried to get a better look, but as the shadow waved, I realized it was just a shadow cast by a tree and shrugged as I turned away from the window. Walking to my bed, I flipped on my bedside lamp and sat on my bed as I removed my boots. Sitting up, I caught a glimpse of a photo on the bedside table. Picking up the frame it was in, I stared at the photo of Troy and me at the Winter Semi-Formal last December. I couldn’t help but look at how happy we seemed, posed sideways looking at the camera smiling with his chest pressed into my back and arms around my waist. Unable to look at it a moment longer, I threw it clear across my room into a corner, remaining motionless as I heard it crash and hoped the thunder would mask the sound. I sat there another moment or two before standing and changing into my pajamas and curling up in my bed to try and get some sleep before having to face what would await me at school.