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1055 Words
"Stirring up trouble again, Hazel?" Ethan's voice cut through the air, his eyes burning with disdain. To him, I was nothing more than an annoying sideshow.
He struts towards the volunteer - the so-called damsel in distress - offering his hand to help her up.
"You alright?" His words are dripping with concern.
She nods, a smirk playing on her lips. It screams, 'Team Ethan all the way.' I knew then, any explanation would fall on deaf ears. Ethan could never see things my way.
I clamp my mouth shut, ready to bolt before things go south. But Ethan isn't done.
"You're so infuriatingly self-centered!" His glare could've melted steel.
Judge, jury, and executioner - that's Ethan, convinced he has the full picture. In their eyes, I'm just a loose cannon, a wild card.
His outburst draws a crowd like moths to a flame. Their 'victim' plays her part to perfection, teetering on the edge of tears.
My fellow co-workers and volunteers look at me like I've kicked a puppy. Oblivious to the truth, her crocodile tears paint me as the villain.
The girl I'd helped tried to speak up, but I waved her off. What's the point? People always side with the one who looks like the victim, never bothering to dig deeper.
I turned to Ethan, defiance lacing my words. "She had it coming!" I said before I left.
"You're the worst!" He yells, anger rolling off him in waves.
Whispers follow me like persistent shadows. They'll spin their own tales, adding fuel to the fire. I shrug it off. Old news.
Suddenly, I bumped into Mayor Marcus, his face a canvas of confusion.
"What's the commotion?" He asks, eyes darting between me and the crowd.
I gesture towards the spectators. "They're the storytellers, Mayor. Why don't you ask them?" Sarcasm drips from every word.
His confusion morphs into a scowl.
I could've explained, but why bother? Let the rumor mill do its thing. I'm curious to see how the Mayor will play this.
Will he bother to hear my side? Only time will tell.
He opens his mouth, but I'm already gone, putting as much distance as I can between me and the crowd.
Finally, out of earshot, I stop, gasping for air.
I'm hurt. I'm furious. I try to push it down, but hey, I'm only human.
I squeeze my eyes shut.
They're all cut from the same cloth!
* * *
I find myself wandering aimlessly, driven by an unspoken need to escape... to somewhere far, far away...
A stream catches my eye, its gentle flow beckoning me to pause. A large, smooth rock seems to invite me to rest.
I settle on the stone, my eyes fixed on the distant horizon, my mind a blank slate.
The world fades away, time loses all meaning, until a warm touch on my shoulder jolts me back to reality.
I turn to see Noah making himself comfortable on a nearby rock.
"What brings you here?" I ask, my voice hollow. "Aren't you worried I might give you a surprise swim?" My tone is light, but there's an edge to it that hints at more than just playful banter.
Noah's only response is a cryptic smile.
We lapse into silence, and I let it stretch. I'm not in the mood for witty exchanges.
"I saw what happened," he finally says, breaking the silence.
I furrow my brow, trying to decipher his vague statement.
"Why didn't you speak up? Why keep quiet?" he presses. I quickly look away, focusing on the distant landscape once more.
A small smirk plays on my lips. I choose to stay silent. I owe him no explanations.
The quiet lingers until I stand up. "Truth? No one cares about the truth." I say before walking away.
* * *
I wonder if Noah chose to sit next to me out of pity or for his own amusement.
Even Candy keeps her distance, as if my solitude is catching. I have to chuckle, especially when I catch their furtive glances.
On the journey back, Noah offers me a band-aid - a peace offering, perhaps? I hesitate, but he's already tending to my wound. Too tired to protest, too touched to refuse, I let him. A heavy silence falls between us, filled with unspoken questions. Oddly, his quiet company brings a strange comfort, allowing my mind to wander.
Even after we get off at City Hall, he sticks around. I shoot him a quizzical look, met only with a smile. Baffled, I glare at him, but he doesn't flinch. Is this pity? I'm not having it. I turn and walk away.
I spot Ethan down the street. I quickly avert my gaze, not up for another verbal sparring match. Maybe tomorrow. Today, I choose to keep my distance.
"Noah?" I look back, surprised. He's still there, a few steps behind.
"Come," he says, taking my hand.
I freeze, stunned. Before I can react, he's already leading me towards his car.
He opened the passenger door, clearly expecting me to get in. Despite my objections, I found myself climbing in.
"Where are we headed, Noah?" I ask as he slides into the driver's seat.
"Relax," he says, his tone calming. "I've got this covered."
"Noah, I don't trust you," I warn.
He just laughs softly as he starts the engine.
We drive in an awkward silence. You could cut the tension with a knife.
Suddenly, we're at the beach. The last place I expected.
"Why here?" I ask, clearly puzzled.
"Felt like a swim. But solo swimming's no fun." He scoops me up, , ignoring my protests about not having a clothes to chance to.
"We'll buy some," he says, tossing me into the sea without a care.
The water is shallow, but I'm too tired to stand.
"Noah!" I shout, furious. "Is this what you wanted?!"
I yank him into the water, then bolt for the shore.
He chases me, grinning as he catches up and playfully shoves me back in.
"Is that a challenge, Noah?" I snap, eyes blazing. "Fine, game on."
I splash him relentlessly. He just stands there, letting me vent. Then he joins in.
For a moment, the world disappears. It's just us, the sea, and a rare feeling of joy and freedom, far from judging eyes.
- Writer
