Lethal Friends

The Bonefire (II)

Someone bumped my shoulder from behind for the second time that morning and I found it to be the same person as before. It was Devin with two red solo cups in his hands and in between his lips that were stretched into a smile a joint hung, the smoke trailing off of it like a little fake serpent. 

I almost said something, but I didn't- who was I to judge the guy, and didn't I see Logan do it before too? Oh Logan- I hope he didn't want to talk to me alone. I glanced to where his body dressed in black had been moving towards me. Now it stood stock still and fuming like an ox. He was clearly angry, but how did that make any sense? Did he even know the guy? And this was a party I could talk to other guys, couldn't I? I watched as he glanced back and forth between Devin and I, a look of betrayal slowly making itself shown. 

"Ah, you know Logan do you?" Devin asked seeing where I was looking, passing me my drink as he took a drag of his joint. 

"Yeah, is that a problem?" I asked raising an eyebrow suspiciously. 

"Only, if he makes it one." He said. "Come on, let's go somewhere else where there isn't a bull bearing down on us."  He grabbed my elbow and lead me further back up the beach to where a small sand-dune made a make shift seat for us to sit down on. I took this moment to look at Devin- he wore blue board shorts and a long sleeve white shirt that hugged him in all the right places. He definitely would be considered muscular, but not too much that it was ridiculous. He had a soft yet hard face, as in he was sweet but had to be in control kinda guy. I just hoped he was a nice enough guy, and that he wouldn't do anything to me. But I wasn't stupid there were still lots of people around on the beach he couldn't do much to me if he wanted to. 

I sat down beside him leaving a considerable space between us, making it clear I wasn't sure of anything yet. But even that much space didn't seem like enough. As I sat in silence for a moment, I couldn't help but feel like something was off. Maybe I was just tired, or needed a drink. I had been here for half an hour anyways without a drink. I sniffed my drink trying not to be noticed and staring at it hard I considered what could be in it. 

"Relax, London, it's only pepsi. Nothing more nothing less." Devin said. 

I looked over at him and smiled softly. 

"So, you wanted to know how I know Autumn?" I nodded curious. 

"I'm friends with her brother. She's kinda like a little sister to me, and some one had to make sure this party didn't get to far out of hand- I mean look what we're doing," I laughed at his smirk that had latched itself to his face. "You?"

"Well, I'm on the swim team with her, and we're friends in general," I took a sip of my drink. It tasted like pepsi, but a little bit sweeter. I was probably just imagining that though. 

"That's pretty cool. You definitely have the body of a swimmer." He smirked at me again, slyly this time. 

"Thanks, I guess?" I said a little confused. If all this guy was after was my body...

"So what about you? Tell me something. How about, do you smoke?" This guy sure didn't seem like he was sharing anything about himself, how annoying. And this had better not turn into a pressuring me to do drugs type of situation. 

"No, not normally," My mind flashed back to a year ago, that had been my last time I would ever have a smoke. I had sworn it off since because of everything that happened.

"You should try it. Really does stuff for you, I promise," He nudged my elbow, and I realized he had scooted closer as we had been talking. 

"No I'm good thanks," He looked a little surprised. I took another drink of the pepsi. It still tasted off. I pulled my knees up to my chest, feeling protective, and wrapped my arms around them.

"Come on, you don't seem like the the goody goody type. You don't even have to have a full one yourself, just one smoke," He held out the joint in front of me gesturing to it. 

"No, I've had bad experiences, I'm good," I tried to put as much force into my words as I could so he would get the message. If he asked one more time I was done. He leaned in- close, way too close- and I tried to subtly inch away.

"Just one-" 

"She said no, asshole," Logan cut in, and I looked up in relief. I didn't know when he had walked over, but I was glad he had. I drained the last of the pepsi, shuttering at the weird aftertaste, and stood up and brushing the sand off of me. I nodded at Logan gratefully. He didn't even glance at me. His eyes were locked on Devin, as if his glare could burn the boy to ashes. 

"We were just talking Logan,"  Devin sneered, "You didn't have come in and crash and burn down on us. You have a habit of doing that, don't you." Something about those words particularly set Logan off, because somewhere in there I could hear a double meaning. It wasn't something I was supposed to know and I was left out of the loop. 

I grabbed Logan's arm, covered in a black hoodie, as he tried to rush forward and have a go at Devin. 

"Don't listen to him. Whatever it is- whatever he means, it's not worth it." Logan paused and glanced back at me, torn between what he really wanted to do and my begging. His emotions, though, he had let go of his control, and I could see that his mask was slipping further and further away. In it's place was far more than I could possibly interpret, so many things overcrowding each other. I held my breath as I took it in, as I took him in- until that is he turned away and shook his arm free of my hold. He let out a big breath. 

"Fine, whatever, just let's get away from this motherf-"

"The great proud Logan bends to the will of a women now?" That did it- for me and Logan. It was insulting that he thought anything along those lines, and it wasn't as if women's ideas were somehow weak, and it made Logan weak to listen to it. The asshole.

"Go for it Logan," I whispered into his ear. He shivered a little and then in one quick motion he pushed me back, and threw himself on Devin punching him as hard as he could. 

The first hit, was sound and solid creating a bruise on Devin's jaw right away. The second was slower and not as good as a hit as it could have been, only making Devin loose his breathe, and then he was fine once his gut recovered. But Devin began to fight back. He locked arms with Logan and flipped him sideways. They tumbled off the sand-dune and on to the beach each one trying to get the upper hand. I gasped, and felt woozy as the air rushed into me, and back out. Shaking my head, I followed them.

People rushed over and some chanted for them to keep going, most rooting for Logan, but others were growing increasingly worried, me included. Devin had given Logan more than one bruise, and wound to wallow over. One in particular was really making me concerned. Devin had stood both of them up and immediately after had hit Logan's knees so that he fell tumbling down. But when he hit the ground his ankle twisted, and even as he got up I could tell it was killing him to stand on it. He still did his best though, and it was quite a lot. Devin's nose was gushing blood and look like it might be broken. In return for that, though, Devin punched Logan's eye, and now his entire right cheekbone was swelling, and his eye turning purple. 

They shuffled around each other, well Logan more like dragging himself, yelling insult after insult. Whatever Devin had done to Logan, and I knew by their words, it was something before I had shown up, was awful. Logan wasn't likely to ever forgive him. That boy could hold a grudge, look at where I was with him. I'm sure Devin would be no better, but far, far worse. 

Autumn and Adrian finally realized something was going on and rushed over pushing people aside. Adrian looked immediately pissed, and Autumn was upset. 

"Really, guys? You couldn't get along for one night?" Autumn shouted. They both looked at her guiltily but didn't show any signs of stopping. She threw her hands up in frustration, she was sober now for sure. The light from the bonfire flickered in and out, was that just me?

"Devin! Logan! It's Autumn's birthday for f*cks sake- STOP!" Adrian yelled at them. He got Ryker's attention who stood across the circle and told him to help him. They both stepped into the ring created by all the people there, and each took a guy, pulling Logan and Devin apart. Their arms flailed not wanting to stop, and curse word after curse word flowed between them like a river with two currents surging against each other.

I stood there staring at the aftermath left on Logan's face and all across his body. I felt like this was my fault. I had talked with Devin, even after seeing Logan's angry face- I knew he was trouble. I didn't walk away even though I saw the signs of an a*s in Devin. I had made Logan come over there and face him, even convinced him to fight. I wanted Devin to back off because he had reminded me of Michigan and Logan had paid the consequences. Now it was my responsibility to take care of the mess. I pushed the hair back off my face taking a deep breath to calm myself, and to shake off the feeling of falling. I had to help right now.

I rushed forward and took Logan by the waist, letting him lean on me, and I led him away from everybody. He didn't resist, just followed listlessly, limping on his hurt ankle. Neither of us said anything. I took him towards the water right up until the waves were just touching our toes. I dropped my arms from around his body and felt strangely cold. The wind pulled at my hair, and I let it- glad it could be out of my face for once. I breathed in the salty air and felt the mist spray against my face and let a small, small smile cross my face. I closed my eyes for a moment- that was a mistake. The world rocked under my feet and I flung open my eyes scared, but everything was fine, and I was steady. Strange.

Turning around I looked at Logan, and he looked at me. Then I stepped forward and hugged him. 

"London-" He started, a little annoyed but I cut him off with a shush. This was my fault, I could at least show him some sort of apology- even if he didn't know that was what this was. It didn't matter that we were at war, right now I was playing the friend side of the frenemies. And it didn't matter that he wasn't going to tell me the real reason he hated Devin, because I knew there was some reason other than me, but I didn't ask. 

After a second he finally gave in and wrapped his arms around me, sighing. He sagged a little, and I could tell there was something else that he was thinking about. He was warm- his black jacket unzipped, open and because of the wind, blowing around me. His hold was gentle but firm, and it began to comfort me just as much as I was supposed to comfort him. 

I was the first to let go, and he made a small noise in response, but I ignored it. I took a step back and looked at the damage. Placing my hands on his shoulders I started to talk. 

"Now, you need some ice, wait here." He rolled his eyes as I spoke and opened his mouth. 

"Do you want to be a hard-a*s about this, or are you going to let me get you some ice, so your face doesn't swell to the size of the Untied States?" I rose an eyebrow, daring him to say no. 

"Fine," He mumbled and plopped down on the beach while I walked over to the table by the sand dunes with the cooler full of drinks and ice. I looked around for a towel but swore when I couldn't find one. Looked like I'd have to use my sweater. I unzipped it and pulling it off I placed some ice in the fabric. I bunched the rest of the fabric round it, making sure none of the extra got in the way of where the ice was and turned around. I found Devin standing behind me. 

"Get away from me," I tried to say it confidently but felt a little off, and it came out in a stutter. 

"You don't seem like that's what you really want," he said slyly taking a step closer to me. 

"Shut the hell up, Devin," I said, firmly this time. I kept my head high and started to walk, very conscious of the fact that my head was spinning and I could very well fall over any moment now. 

"All I did was ask if you wanted a smoke," He cried out. I flipped him the middle finger, steadying myself as best I could, and made my way over to Logan, never taking my eyes off the hunched back by the water. 

"Hey, Logan," I touched his back lightly and he flinched. He looked at me apologetically, and I shrugged saying it didn't matter, sitting down again beside him. This time I didn't leave any space between us like I did with Devin, because I knew this was a boy I could trust, even if he did put me through hell.  

"Here," I said and passed him the sweater with the half melted ice in it. He took it willingly, saying nothing. The music was barely audible from here, but it created a nice background rhythm, that was soothing, so I laid down completely taking a moment to admire the sky above me. I sighed not sure of what I was feeling right now, or if I should know what to feel. 

"London, is this your sweater?" He finally came to the realization and I nodded at his back. 

"Yeah. It's fine just keep it." I wanted to close my eyes so badly, but I kept looking at him.

"No- you'll freeze. Take it back." he tried to pass the red material back to me, but I didn't move refusing to take it. I shook my head. The movement made me a little dizzy.

"If you don't keep that ice on your face, I'll be the one to suffer. You'll be so ugly all swelled up, how can I possibly go to school and talk to you? People will make fun of me for being friends with Sully from Monsters inc. I mean you'll have only one eye to see out of right?" I laughed as I said, so he knew I was joking, and he smiled down at me, wincing a little when the movement made the split on his lip open wider. 

"Here, take mine then. I'm bigger than you I can stay warm, but you can't." he shrugged off his zip up hoodie and gave it to me. I pushed myself up into a sitting position leaning back on one hand, and stared at it. It took me a second to focus on it. I wasn't sure whether to take it or not. After a full minute, I grabbed it, a little ashamed but thankful nonetheless. 

Logan chuckled at me and laid down beside where I had been a moment before. I went to follow, but a headache slammed into my skull full force. I wobbled a little, even sitting down. I felt like I was going to throw up. Logan stared at me concerned. 

"You all right?" He asked. I waved him off. The music in the background shut off, but everyone was still singing at the top of their lungs like nothing had changed. Why were they still singing? Why weren't they getting mad at the guy who turned it off?

"I'm fine, I just need to stand up, is all." I started to do just that, but all this moving made my vision blurry. I looked up at the sky, squinting, hoping I could calm myself down. I saw all the stars blend together. They made a magnificent master piece. How could I have missed that before? I turned my face back down and towards the wind, loving the cool feeling it brought. I stumbled as it changed direction, and I walked unsteadily towards and into the water. It seemed like the dark blue waves were arms drawing me in. They were calling me, begging me to let it embrace me, it wanted to hold me. I could let it do that, couldn't I? I walked further into the water, until I was up to my knees.

Yes, it should hold me. Yes that would make me feel better.

I heard a shout from behind me, but it was muffled by my addled mind, and the sound of the water. I think it was Logan. But he was alright, he was fine. I gave him ice, he was fine. And I was fine. The ocean would make me feel better, I was fine. I pushed myself further shivering, until the water swirled up around my shoulders. I heard splashes from behind. They were coming closer, but it was alright, they weren't for me, I was fine. 

  Finally, I collapsed giving the waves the hold it wanted over me. The waves rushed over my head, and swirled around my open eyes. Everything was dark and the moonlight barely pierced the top layer of water. I stretched my arms up lazily relaxing, even though I was freezing, my fingertips drifting back and forth with the current. Then I let myself sink to the sandy bottom, my back brushing up against a small rock, and my arms resting against the soft ground. 

I heard one last cry- "London!" from Logan's mouth, before everything became dark, just like the bottom of the ocean I laid on.