Guiding light

Under my skin

Tyler

- Good morning! - I greeted Jake who had two huge dark circles under his eyes. He opened them wide at me and hopped on the seat next to me on the bus.

- Good?! Dude... How could you sleep with that storm? - he asked and I shrugged.

- These are quite common, although I also woke up in the middle of the night. This might have been one of the biggest storms of the year.

- It was scary as hell but I had to pretend to be strong because Jeanette came to my room crying at night. She was so cute but I couldn't sleep a wink! - Jake confessed and I pat his shoulder.

- At least you were a real hero for your little sister! - he wiped off his imaginary tears and hit his chest with his fist.

- I was! - I chuckled and recalled last night.

- To be honest, I couldn't sleep either. I looked out of the window and saw a little ray of sun breaking through the clouds for a few minutes. - Just like Perdita... That was that came to my mind first and I'd swear that I heard her voice singing a beautiful song carried by the wind.

- Anyway, weekend is in two days! Did you thought about how to convince our parents?

- Your don't need to be convinced. Mine are the issue here. I thought about saying that I help you with your videos and gather also some info to your mom. So we need to take different routes to the islands etc.

- That sounds great! I'll let my dad know about the plan and we will drop by today so they can get to know each other and agree! - Thanks Jake! I just couldn't wait to see Perdita. I hope she is doing fine. - Jake looked at me with sympathy.

- She seems to be a really though girl from what you told me. I'm sure she is okay.- I smiled at my friend.

- I hope you are right. I wish I could just grab her in my arms and ran away from there.

- Yeah, but you told me she is traumatized by the people there and afraid to leave the tower. - I nodded.

- According to what I learned on psychology classes in my old high school, these kind of traumas need time to overcome. Or some good or shocking event that just shakes the victim out of it forcing her in this case to leave her "safe zone".

- Safe zone? They are beating her!

- I meant under safe zone something she already knows. For her that's normal. So leaving the normality for something unknown is difficult.

- I know... That's why I brought the books and that's why Harry took those pictures. To show Perdita bit by bit what our normal looks like, to give her the push she needs.

- We have the whole summer to find out what's behind this whole s**t show and to save your girl. - I blushed and my heart skipped a beat as I remembered the feeling of hugging her in my arms.

- She is not my girl, yet. But I hope that one day she'll be. Right now, she needs friends and protection. I cannot be selfish like this.

- I don't think she'll think that about you. - the bus arrived and we hopped off. On our way to our class we met with a few classmates, among them with Cristina. She was a gorgeous blonde, girl, really popular but in my opinion annoying and not very bright. She waved to us and grabbed my arm leaning against my shoulder.

- Hey Tyty! I haven't seen you in the past few weeks! Where have you been boo? - I saw Jake's eyebrows running up to his forehead with the question "What the f**k bro?" written all over his face. I tried to peel Cristina's arm from mine.

- I had to help my father, he was injured.

- Oh! I hope he is doing better! - she pouted.

- Luckily he is good as new. - Cristina squeaked.

- Yay! That's wonderful! In that case you can join us at the beach party this weekend! You can bring your new friend too! - she said not even looking at Jake.

- I already have another plan for this weekend. - Cristina started nagging me still holding my arm.

- Can't you reschedule it?! For my sake... Pretty pleaseee! - she batted her eyelashes and I felt trapped. I wanted to ran away and honestly shred my skin where she touched me. For some reason I could see Perdita's sad face in front of me. Suddenly, my savior appeared. She immediately got rid of the hindrance holding onto me and kissed Jake before she talked.

- Cristina, your layers of hairspray might clogged you ears so read my lips. TYLER. IS. NOT. INTERESTED. - Cristina scoffed and poked Harriett.

- I wasn't talking to you, freak. - Jake got pissed but Harry laughed.

- Luckily! I'm not so kind as Tyler.

- What do you mean? - Cristina asked trying to provoke Harry who just laughed and said.

- That if I was in Tyler's place I would've directly sent you back to your dear mother! How is she by the way? Can she move her mouth already or still drinking the organic s**t with a straw?

- How dare you?! My mother had an accident!

- Yeah, an accident with botox. Let's go boys, I feel that I'm getting stupider with each word I talk to this airhead. - we walked away and I thanked Harry for saving me.

- Worry not! I'm a professional b***h blocker! Also you are already taken and if your babe is a monster to be aware of, than I don't want to see her jealous! - Jake laughed but I couldn't.

- I don't think she knows that feeling. She would be just extremely sad, thinking that Cristina has something to do with me. - Harry punched me in my side and grinned.

- But you don't have to worry about that! Perk of your girl being on that island! I envy her a little... She doesn't have to deal with this kind of stuff.

- There is one thing I don't understand. - Jake said.

- If Perdita has a power so strong that people think she caused the accident, why doesn't she just get rid of the people on the island and ran away?

- As you said earlier, her trauma makes her unable, but also, I think she doesn't want to give a reason to those people to be able to say that she is truly a monster. Perdita is sweet, kind, brave and curious. - Harry hugged Jake and they looked at me with a mocking smile.

- What?

- Yeah, you and Perdita are just friends.-Jake said.

- Yes!

- Uhum... Like us! - Harry said and smooched Jake. We all busted into laughter and when the be rang we headed to our classes. At the end of the day, Phineas came to my house with Paloma and Jeanette. Luckily our parents bonded the same way as we did with Jake and the weekend plan had been officially approved.

- Why don't you stay on the ship for the night as well? - my dad asked.

- That's a good idea! It would save lots of gasoline for you and the boys can have a fun time too. - mom added and we loved the idea. Jake left with hsi family a few hours later and after dinner and a shower, I was laying in my bed. I lifted up my hand and closed a finger down with a smile on my face.

- Only one more day...