Rewrite The Stars

Chapter 17

After taking a short walk next to the water, we agreed that it was too windy there and decided to leave the island. But live it to Zach to be the night-owl that he was and suggested we should do something else before going back to our places.

    “Do you even know how to do ice-skating?” I asked.

    “Yes and no.” He shrugged.

    “Which one? Yes or no?”

    “No.” He said. “But it would be fun! I used to do it when I was a kid. Besides you can do it, can't you?”

    “Well, yeah–”

    “–Problem solved.”

    “How can your problem of not knowing how to skate be solved by me knowing how?”

    “We'll figure that out.” I shook my head, trying hard not to laugh.

    But turns out, he still remembered how to skate after years of not practicing. We both took each other's hand in order not to fall; but of course, when one us fell, the other fell along, but even when that was the case, we would both struggle to stand up by laughing our heads off at it.

    As we slid along with each other, a cool breeze kept passing us, neatly matching our speed. And just then, a snowflake fell on my lashes, making me say “It's snowing!” with excitement.

    “Do you wanna get out of here and take a walk?” Zach suggested and I gladly nodded.

    The walk to the car would've taken more than five minutes. So after giving the shoes back, I took Zach's hand in mine and we took our time to walk under the snow, which was taking pace.

    I was submerged into bitter coldness that embraced me like an icy blanket. The weather was getting out of hand and I could barely feel my fingers.

     “Parking the car away was a big mistake.” I managed to say as I shivered.

    “Maybe we can run to get there? It will shorten the time. Besides, exercising can make us feel warmer.” Zach suggested.

    “Yeah.”

    “How about I race you till there?” He grinned, as if daring me with his narrowed eyes.

    “Are you that desperate to lose?” I teased.

    “Oh, we'll see who's gonna lose, Miss Coleman. We'll see.”

    “Arrogant much?” I raised a brow in amusement.

    “Very much.” He smirked.

    “Okay, on the count of five, then.” I said and we both stood next to each other and I began to count, “One, two – five!” by that, I started running.

    “Oi! Cheater!” and he ran after me. I was laughing when he reached me but then I sped up.

    “Zoe!” he called after me, laughing.

    But I didn't listen, I just kept running.

    “Zoe, wait up!”

    I took up my speed, the harsh wind and the snow hitting my face mercilessly.

    “Zoe, stop!”

    And I finally did. Breathing heavily, I turned and looked back at me. Zach had stopped long before me and stood there, his hand on his heaving chest.

    For a moment I was actually worried, but then it hit me that he was using a trick. He wanted me to go back there so he could run and win.

    “Not gonna work on me, Walter!” I shouted at him.

    “I'm not kidding.” He said. “I... I don't feel good.”

    “Still not working.” I laughed, but it faded away when I saw him drop to his knees and puke on the ground.

    “Shit.” I muttered and ran toward him as quick as humanly possible. “Zach? What's wrong? Food poisoning? Too much spinning at the park?

    “No–” He puked again and I looked away, rubbing his back.

    I thought this was nothing special. I thought that like everyone else, he had gotten sick.

    But I swallowed in horror when he started groaning in pain, clawing at the ground.

    “SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE!” I screamed but Zach stopped me.

    “No – just – just take me home.” He moaned.

    “No way! I can't just leave you like this! You need to see a doctor–”

    “–They can't do anything!”

    “Bullshit–”

    “–For f**k's sake! I know what I'm talking about!” He groaned again. “This has happened before.”

    “What–”

    “–Just take me home! Now!”