The Marine

Chapter 5

APRIL

I was laying on something soft and warm, which was making me judge if I wanted to open my eyes or not. It didn't smell like the outside and it didn't smell like dirt or leaves either. It smelt like...it smelt like my room.

At that though I jolted up with wide eyes, I was most definitely in my room. Throwing my covers back, I ran to the door unable to see anything from the pitch darkness. One orange beam of light shined over my bed from the streetlights outside.

Turning on my room light at the light switch on the wall next to my door, I noticed my bag full of things and my phone and realisation hit me...he left me. I didn't want to be here in this house.

However, the guilt of leaving my Mum when she is ill hurt me too. I wanted to be there but no one tells me anything.

In the end I decided to have a shower to relax myself. The warm water nipped my skin and instantly my shoulders sulked in relaxation. I used coconut shampoo and some of my favourite vanilla body wash to clean myself thoroughly getting all the dirt off me.

Once I was done, I towel dried my hair and slipped into a pair of light blue skinny jeans, a plain white vest top, a warm grey oversized hoodie and my tanned ugg boots.

I quietly went down stairs not wanting to wake anyone up but sadly someone was already up. I went on my tippy toes to the kitchen door and watched as my Mum poured herself a glass of water. The lights from outside sketched around her pale face and she seemed a lot thinner than before. The sight made my heart clench.

"I can see you, you know?" Her voice was hoarse and not smooth and sulky as it used to be. I missed her voice so much.

"I have a little bit of a sore head so I was gonna go a small walk and get some fresh air." I told her bobbing my head up and down slowly as she took a small sip from her glass.

"Your keys are right there next to you." She pointed her eyes to the sweetie jar next to my head and sure enough my keys were on top of it.

"Aren't you going to ask where I've been?" I asked her with a frown. Did none of them even notice I was gone?

"I've been worried sick but no I'm not going to ask." She crackled a cough, " I know this has been affecting you too." She put a tight smile on her face and I knew it was fake.

"Yeah it's been affecting me because none of you will tell me what's going on" I slightly snapped, " I am not a kid anymore Mum." She smiled and for a moment we just stared at each other.

"I had a kidney infection and its spread to my lungs. It's double the pain and now I have to wait a few months to recover fully." I breathed out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"That is all that's wrong? Promise?" She gave a genuine smile and it made me smile too.

"I promise now go that walk. I expect you back just after sunrise for breakfast." She told me sternly making me smile. That was the Mum I knew even though you could still sense she was ill.

"I promise." I told her picking up my keys and walking through the hallway to the front door. 

I enjoyed my walk since my head felt much more clearer. The black cloud was fading and if felt soothingly nice.

I walked by the river then across the bridge, into the park, along the Main Street then back to the house. I was back just after sunrise as promised and received a wonderful breakfast of Pancakes and Bacon.

I was now adding a few more curls to my hair and putting some make up on. I smiled as I didn't seem as pale as before and pulled of my hoodie and vest top, replacing it with a black long sleeved top and a cream cropped sweatshirt.

"April, You have a visitor!" I lifted my phone and walked out to the stairs, standing at the top.

Who was at the door? I sure as hell wasn't expecting anyone for sure.

I slowly walked down the stairs and looked to my Mum who had a giddy smile on her face. What was that all about? I opened the door curiously and the first thing that hit me was fresh aftershave and it smelt really nice. I stepped out onto the porch and noticed Blake. The guy who ditched me after making my life hell for the last few days.

However, he looked real nice in timberland boots, black jeans that rested on his hips, a white top and a black leather jacket. What the heck...he looked scrumptious! If he stretched his arms up I'm pretty sure I would see his boxers, which I imagined to be Calvin Klein. I caught his eyes and blushed slightly.

"How are you here?" I asked quickly so he wouldn't make a immature remark. He seemed to settle for a smile.

"Um...I arrived home yesterday and told my family about my trip." He told me searching my eyes for something. I couldn't help but wonder about the reaction he wanted from me...happy? Nope. Pissed off? Hell yeah.

"Still doesn't tell me why your here?" I stated flatly and watched as his jaw slightly clenched.

"My girlfriend Abby thinks you saved my life from that guy so today she wants to invite you shopping." He smirked, " Even though I was the one who did saving." I narrowed my eyes at him starting to be very annoyed.

"Well why don't you ask for a reward but then again you wouldn't have to save me if you didn't kidnap me in the first place." I snapped at him watching his jaw clench more and more.

"Firstly, I already got my reward last night." He smirked, " actually the whole night and secondly I had to save you because your stubborn." He snapped at the last part and I turned away from him taking in a deep breath.

I noticed a Cadillac SUV parked on the road with the engine running. The back windows were blacked out and as I looked in the front, I could see a girl with short blonde hair and large sunglasses on. Instantly I knew she was a bimbo.

"Lets go." I told him flatly remaining expressionless and heading towards the car. I didn't even want to look at him anymore because I honestly don't need his crap right now with Mum being ill and all.

"My pleasure." He growled and suddenly I became puzzle as I reached the car door. Why was he mad?

I opened the car door and the smell of fresh leather hit my senses straight away. This car must be fairly new because it really looked like it just came off the rollers. I leaned back and clipped my seatbelt in and pushed the window down a little sitting right behind Blake so I didn't have to see his face.

His girlfriend was more clear to see and my judgement was right. She looked like a snob, so I'm guessing her Daddy is rich and she's the spoiled brat. She wore leggings, gold and black sandals that looked really expensive, a white vest top and blue cashmere cardigan. She really looked like a bumble bee with those glasses on.

"Hello, My name is Abby." She pulled her sunglasses down to the bridge of her nose and looked over at me. She smiled briefly and waited for my reply.

"Hi Abby, My name is April." She smiled and it slightly made me uncomfortable.

"I know your name but thank you for accepting the offer for today." I smiled with a slight nod maybe she is nice after all.

"It's fine." I told her and turned to look out my window.

Today would give me the opportunity to buy my Mum something nice to cheer her up a little. The sooner she gets better the sooner I won't be so worried.

"April, are you still at school?" I turned my attention back to Abby and smiled.

"Yeah but I'm thinking about leaving soon." I told her with nothing but honest truth. I needed to get a job to help Mum with the bills because since she is ill she can't work.

"Well I left school and it was the best thing I have ever done." She smiled over to Blake and rested her hand on his leg as he drove. I noticed something flash across Blake's eyes and hesitantly he held her hand, " When I saw Blake for the first time he was on leave and now months up the line...I couldn't love him more." She smiled and gave his leg a small squeeze, I wanted to throw up.

"Awwww! How cute." She giggled and Blake looked back to me through the mirror and I instantly turned away not wanting to look at him.

"You are extremely pretty April, My brother Clayton should ask you on a date." I blushed slightly before hearing a sarcastic laugh boom the car.

"Clayton?" He scoffed, " Abby your brother can't even kiss someone without his brace falling in their mouth." Now I really desperately want to throw up. Just imagining it gave me the creeps and a shiver ran down my spine.

"That isn't true." She slapped his chest and then turned to me in her seat.

"Do you have any siblings?" She asked curiously.

"No, I'm an only child." I smiled back at her and watched as she glared at Blake.

"What about your Parents?" I sharply took a breath and narrowed my brows. Why did she need to bring this up?

"My dad died when I was eight in a car accident and My Mum who you seen earlier is called Louis." I told her hoping she would just drop the subject now.

"Your dad must have been intoxicated to get killed on these roads. There so quiet." I began pulling at the sleeves of my cardigan feeling tears coming to my eyes.

"No. The other driver that was intoxicated," I emphasised 'intoxicated', " was the one who crashed into my Dad and killed him." I frowned not wanting to look up incase I lost it.

"Are you sur-"

"We are here!" Blake called, " Come on everyone out the car lets go!" He added cheerfully and I realised he just saved me again.

We all got out the car and Blake pressed the keys and locked it as the car flashed. He put the keys in his back pocket and we walked into the shopping mall, which was surprisingly quiet today. Abby ran off it the first top and just as Blake was about to follow her, I pulled him back by his arm. He looked....pissed?

"Thank you for helping me back there." I told him sincerely and he scoffed directly in my face.

"It's amazing you can give me eye contact now that I've yet again helped you." He snapped making me slightly flinch. I was tired of fighting.

"I know and I'm sorry." I watched as his cold dark expression never changed once. He was really mad.

"What was that?" He asked and I knew he was mocking me with a raised eye brow.

"I said-" before I could finish he put both hands into his pockets and walked away.

"Ignorance works both ways." He told me with the same dark expression and suddenly it dawned on me.

I don't even want to be here right now shopping but I guess while Abby looks in these stores, I can go and do my own thing. Then meet them back at the car. Deciding my option was better I wandered off and blended in with the crowds.

BLAKE

I have never had the upmost pleasure of knowing a women who is so stubborn and stupid. She really knows how to push every button in me to the extreme. Every time I tried to look at her in the car she would snap her head away and because I do something for her suddenly everything will be ok? No chance.

"Baby do you like this?" I looked over to Abby and she was holding an extremely short skirt in her hands. Why the f**k would she wear that?

"Nope it'll make you look like a slut." I told her truthfully and she glared. I know I was taking my anger out on her but I needed to do something before I stuck my fist through the dry wall.

"Thank you for the encouragement." She snapped and placed it back on the rail. Why would anyone walk about in that skirt? Girls may as well walk around in their panties.

"I was telling the truth." I muttered, " I am going to Starbucks do you want a latte?" I asked kindly not wanting to fight again with her since that's all we done last night. I lied earlier because right now my s*x life sucked.

Our problem is that Abby has a severe attachment to me and I have none to her. She loves me and I feel like I've only known her five minutes. I almost laughed because when I'm with April it feels like I have known her forever.

"No!" She snapped and I just walked away not in the mood for any of it.

Luckily Starbucks was only about ten stores down so I didn't have far to go. Hardly anyone was down on the lower shopping mall to the extent that I could swing my arms about and no one would get hurt.

I was just about to walk into Starbucks when something on the bench outside the candy store caught my eye.

April.

There she was with crossed legs on the bench eating away at her back on candy. It made my heart clench at how excited she got when she pulled out a strawberry...must be her favourite one. I slowly walked over and took the seat next to her gently nudging her shoulder. She swallowed her mouthful and looked to me. She looked so innocent.

"Can I have one?" I asked softly and watched as she looked to her bag of candy with a frown.

"Promise not take my strawberries?" She asked and her beautiful brown eyes went wide and I smiled at the cuteness on her.

"What about a cherry?" I asked before I took and I watched as she shook her head quickly,she must like them too.

"Can I have a gummy bear?" I asked hopefully and with a small smile she reached in her bag and gave me two gummy bears. One was red and the other was blue.

"Thank you." I told her with a small smile as I chewed my gummy bears.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled and I slightly frowned because she was frowning.

"About earlier?" She nodded her head, " I knew you were starting to get upset because you started to pull at your sleeves and Abby can be pushy and annoying sometimes." I told her truthfully glad to see a small smile on her face.

"She loves you." She told me and it almost felt like she was reassuring me. I thought she would be jealous but then again it's April and she's full of surprises.

"Her attachment is the Empire State Building compared to mine, which is like the grocery store." I admitted and she grinned and she eat another strawberry.

She caught me looking at her and instantly I saw the cute blush that came to her cheeks. She looked so innocently adorable right now.

"I like Strawberries and Cherries." She admitted placing another Cherry in her mouth.

"I kind of worked that out." I told her as we both laughed. How come I feel so relaxed with her but with Abby I feel out of place?

"Thank you for today." April told me as we walked up to the porch with her bags.

She opened the door to her house and I lifted all her bags up and took them in and placed them down in the living room. I turned to her with a smile.

"Your welcome." She smiled and I pulled a hair away from her face feeling small sparks as I touched her soft skin, " My Parents want to invite you over for dinner tomorrow so I told them I would pick you up. Is that ok?" I asked her just to make sure. Honestly, I think the dinner was so my Mum could see the woman that I keep 'drooling' over.

If it isn't obvious my Mother doesn't get along with Abby ever so she has been pushing me about April. I like her and I'm attracted to her but I am not what she needs. I don't think she even feels the same.

"That's fine." She told as she started unpacking her bags and folding her clothes. I liked the things she bought because none were revealing and honestly I would hate it if someone seen her assets.

I quickly shook my head, what am I saying?!

"I'll pick you up at six ok?" She looked up to me and walked me to her front door.

"Ok." She opened the door for me as I stepped out," Drive safely." She told me with another heart warming smile.

"Don't worry about me princess." I leaned close to her face and I heard her intake of oxygen as he cheeks blushed, " I still get you hot and bothered huh?" She blushed even more, " Breathe." I demanded seriously and she slowly exhaled.

"Jerk." She replied with a smirk on her face.

"You wouldn't be smirking if it wasn't true Princess." She scowled making me laugh as I headed down the pathway.

"See you tomorrow!" I shouted as I got into my car

I started the engine and gave her a wave and a smile as I pulled away. I looked over to Abby and she was glaring, what was her problem now?

"What?!" I snapped becoming annoyed of how much of an attention seeker she's being.

"All day today you have went away with her!" She roared pushing my patients. I was with her all day because your ridiculous when it comes to buying clothes!

"Her name is April and what's your point?!" I roared backing trying to keep my eyes in the road.

"Your cheating on me with her aren't you!" She started to cry and I was seriously confused now.

"No I'm not! I went with her today because she isn't a drama queen like you!" She flinched, " I come home on leave for a week and a half every month to have relaxing time with my family and all I get is this drama from you!" I was way over the edge now.

"I'm sor-"

"Don't." I snapped, " I have heard enough of you saying sorry! You know what I never thought I would say this but I feel more relaxed on duty than what I do with you." She started with the crocodile tears and I knew they were a desperate need for attention for me to feel sorry.

"What does that mean?" She sobbed but it wasn't working for me anymore.

"It means we are over." I told her truthfully " This pathetic relationship is over." I told her and she just started crying louder but I couldn't care.

She asked for this. She shouldn't have the nerve to insult April because at least she makes me feel good about myself and relaxed. I've known April a week and I have more feelings for her than Abby.