Finding Phoenix

chap 5

i sat on the soft white sand, my feet buried up to my ankles. The warm summer breeze

softly caressing my face, as I gazed out over the breaking waves. The soothing sounds

relaxing me from head to toe. I took a deep breath and looked back down at my notebook

continuing to sketch what I see out in front of me. The crashing waves, the birds flying

above.

Since I moved here, this has been my place of solitude, a private escape. Granted it is not

so much private, no matter what time I get here there is always a group surfing but they

never got close enough for me to see their face. I discovered the small cove in my first

weekend here. I had gone for a walk to the beach, but I had taken a wrong turn and become

lost. It was then I found a small river of water, which I followed down to the opening of the

cove. Now every morning and afternoon I come for a walk down here and sit I the beach

watching the world go past.

I was so lost in my own little world I didn't even realise the time until I heard the familiar "

Beep, Beep" Oh Crap I reach in to my bag to pull out my phone and looked at the clock. It

was 8.20 am already, "I’m going to be late for school" I say to myself jumping up and

running back along the stream towards my house. Mum is going to kill me she told me to

set the alarm for 8am if I was going down to the beach. Luckily I had my bag so I only had to

jump in my car and go straight to school.

I pulled in to school with 2 minutes to spare. As I ran towards my first class doors I didn't

notice the group of girls who had stopped right in front of me and I ran right into them. I fell

hard onto the cobble laughs in a sea of laughs, my bag and contents spilling across the

ground.

You should be more careful" one voice commented as I tried to shove the contents of

what had been in my bag back.

" I’m sorry I didn't see you" I said trying not to cry. I could feel the group circle me, giggling

and laughing at me. Then as a cold chill ran down my spine, I realised who was around me,

crap like I need to deal with them.

"Come on the boys are waiting for us" Courtney said picking up her bag and walking

towards the car park.

That was too easy, Courtney must be in a friendly mood, I though as I stood up and

continued my rush towards class. It was a double of maths, so I knew my day wasn't going

to be getting any better. At least Courtney was ditching class so I wouldn't have to listen to

her stupid questions for 2 hours.

"Where have you been?" Wesley said as I scrambled into my seat beside him.

“Sorry, I late. Hey are we still going for tonight?" . I said opening my bag and pulling out my

books.

“Yes we are still on for tonight and no you’re not late , Mrs Green isn't here yet.

What happened to your hands?" Wesley said reaching over and turning my left hand palm

up. There was a small graze on the palm of my hand.

“I was running to class and ran straight into the Banshees. I fell and my stuff went

everywhere." I say as I pull my sleeve over my hand suddenly feeling self-conscious. As

Mrs Green entered the room.

Audrey and I were preparing to leave our fourth period philosophy class, when I realise it

was missing. My sketch book.

"Phoenix what's wrong?" Audrey said as I tip my bag out on to the desk.

"It's gone” I yelled. I didn't mean to but the panic and fear had broken through.

“What’s gone Phoenix? “ Audrey asked trying not to upset me further.

”My book. It’s gone. I’m sure it was here when I got her..." My words trailed off, as a wave of

nausea rolled over me. That book was my life I had been writing and drawing in it since the

accident. It had ever detail of the crash. It was how I had learned to deal with everything, I

had gone through.

"Maybe you left it in your car?" Audrey said as she help me pack everything back into my

bag.

I hadn't told Wesley or Audrey much about my accident, just that I had been in an accident

before I started here and that that was how I got the scar on my cheek. People had only

just stopped trying to find out who the sole saviour of the plane crash was. I didn't want

people knowing it was me .

"That would be great and Audrey I’m sorry for snapping at you, it's just that book is very

important to me." I said picking up my bag.

Audrey just smiles and gives me a nod towards the door " Come on let’s get some lunch I’m

starving and we will check your carMy mind was racing as we walked along the path chatting about our plans to go tea and

catch a movie maybe even get a little shopping in beforehand, Wesley came bounding up

to us " Whose going shopping?"

With a giggle Audrey and I looked at each other “We are"

“So tonight is now tea, movie and shopping? Well I’m sure we could fit it in to our evening

somehow" Wesley said pretending to sound unimpressed, as we took a seat under the tree

for lunch.

“You know you are more into the shopping than us" I said slyly " and I bet you will get

some great outfit, while we won’t find anything.”

“ Oh so true my friends, but don’t be jealous one day you to may be this lucky” Wesley face

seem to change suddenly looking less the impressed. " Um Phoenix, Leland is looking at

you and he is coming this way."

"What?" I say suddenly wanting to look around for him. I carefully looked over my shoulder

and there he was walking towards us. Leland his green eyes looking right at me and he

smiled tilting his head in that old fashion way of saying hello. Suddenly I feel my face getting

hot and I turn back to Wesley and Audrey.

" Hi, Phoenix, Wes, Audrey .Do you guys mind if I eat with you?” Leland asked crouching

down beside me.

" Hi" we replied simultaneously . Go right ahead " I said, moving my bag to make room.

“Thank you." He responded, his eyes never leaving mine. “That is a beautiful bracelet" he

reached for my wrist, holding it as gently as he looked at it.

“Thank you" I smiled, as I tried to keep my eyes on anything but Leland. My stomach filled

with butterflies and I didn't want to say something stupid. My heart was racing, and as if he

could hear my heart race he laugh and let go of my wrist.

" Heads up, Courtney's on her way. Think we can make a run for it ." Wesley said grabbing

his bag, but it was too late. Before we had a chance to escape Courtney was standing

beside me and for some reason the whole area seem to go eerily quiet and suddenly there

seem to be more people around. I shifted uncomfortably , wishing that we had made a run

for it. “This can’t be good" I whispered to Audrey who seem to looks as scared as me. In my

short time here I have learnt I very important thing Courtney is a the devil in carnet and she

loves to make everyone's life hell.

“Leland what are you doing with the loser, you should be sitting with us" she said flipping

her hair over her shoulder.

“Can we help you Courtney?" Wesley asked.

“Well, I thought that I should tell you some very important news." she said looking at

everyone apart from me. Making sure her voice was loud enough that everyone around us

could hear.It appears that you friend Phoenix is more freak than geek" she said looking at me with a

smile that I knew that something bad was about to follow.

“What are you talking about we don't care what you think of her" Audrey said looking from

Courtney to me.

I hadn't noticed that her hands had been behind her back until she pulled a book, my book

out in front of her. My stomach sinks and I think that I am going to be sick.“ That’s mine.

Give it back”

“It’s hard to believe I survived. I can still hear people crying, screaming, the smell of smoke,

flames out the window." Courtney read not caring about my objections, or who was around.”

The faces of the people around me.”

I couldn't hear any more. Struggling to hold back my tears, I grabbed my bag and ran for

the car park. I managed to reach my car before the flood gates open, my eyes burned and

my chest ached. As the tears rolled down my cheeks. I had to get out of here. I can't stay at

school any longer. Everyone knows that I am the sole saviours.

I put the car in reverse and headed for the only place I truly felt safe. Driving on instinct I

made my way to the cove. By the time I reached the cove, the tightening in my chest had

eased and the river of tears had stopped. I made my way along the river, letting the

soothing sounds of waves carry me along until I was looking out over the ocean.

I made my way access the soft white sand to the smooth rock that lay in the centre of the

beach. It was tall enough that when you sat on the sand in front of it no one could see you. I

curled my arms around my stomach and I let myself lose control.

After what felt like hours, I reach reached into my bag and pulled out my small purple

phone. By now the school would have called my parents and they would have called

worried and I will probably be grounded for the next fifty years. which at this point might not

be a bad thing, maybe my parents will even let me be home schooled. “It’s not that anyone

will notice or even care is I’m not there anymore” I wiped my eyes for the millionth time

today and glanced down at my phone. Surprisingly the only messages were from Wes and

Audrey.

" They are worried about you" a smooth voice said, but this voice is familiar I have heard it

before. A slither of fear runs down my back, as I turned my head and there standing beside

me was Leland. Startled my breath catches and for a second I can't breathe.

" Leland " the shock clearly apparent in my voice. " What are you doing here?" I say as I

try to suppress the feeling of tears beginning to well up in my eyes. How did he find me, no

one knew that I was here. No one even new I came here.

" I’m sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. You took off in such a rush, I didn't want you to get

lost or hurt. Plus I thought you would want this back. " Leland pulled my book from his

back pocket and passed it to me as he sat down on the soft sand beside me.

" Thank you, but I don't think it will matter anymore. The whole school knows now, and I’m

sure Courtney has made copies for everyone." Tears begin to fall from my eyes. “I can't go

back there Leland . Why do you care ?" I say wrapping my arms around my legs, resting my

head on my knees facing Leland.

"I care because.. I like you and" he stopped mid-sentence as if unsure of what to say next.

"we are friends or at least I hope we are" shrugging and shifting his feet uncomfortably in the sand.

" You can't let Courtney get to you, that's what she wanted to do. It doesn't matter what

anyone at school thinks." But I cut him off before he finished.

" That's easy for you to say, they don't think you’re a freak." I say whipping at my eyes.

"I don't think you’re a freak, I never have. I promise " he says reaching out with a tissue.

" Thanks, but I think there are plenty of people who will disagree with you. Both here and

back north." I say as I relax my body and cross my legs in front of me.

We spent the rest of the day sitting on the beach talking. It was nice I had never felt as

comfortable with anyone, as I did with Leland. I could just be myself, I didn't have to be

someone I wasn't. It felt nice, I felt I could tell him everything and he would never, say

anything. It was strange the way we seem to complete each other. It is like we were are two

sides of a coin, yin and yang. Well that was how I felt anyway. I don't know why but before I

could even think about what I was saying the words were out of my mouth " Leland have

we met before? I know that it sounds strange but I feel like I’ve known you all my life" I felt

so stupid as the heat rushed across my face. turning me in to a tomato.

"um.." Leland seemed startled by my question and struggled to find the words "I..I don't

think so"

" Oh ok. Um... What have you got planned for the weekend?" I say trying to change the

subject and hopefully stop looking like a tomato.

" Well, the weather is going to be good so I will more than likely go surfing What about you

Phoenix what have you got planned?" he answered as he clearly becomes more commutable with this topic.

" I was going out with Wes and Audrey tonight. They were going to take me into town for a

movie, tea and some shopping, but that was before.." I stop the word stuck in my throat.

" Before what happened at lunch?" Leland finishes .

" Yea" I say looking out over the water. As the waves crashing slowly as the sun begins to

set, turning the sky pink.

" Are you still going to go tonight? Because it’s getting late and I don't want to make you

late." he says moving to stand up.

" I don't think so. I don't want to embarrass them.” Pulling my knees back into my chest

and gaze out over the sea. “ I think I might just stay here for a while”

Out of the corner of my eye I see a movement and just assume that Leland is getting up to

leave. As I turn to say thank you for returning my book , a cool soft hand touches my face

and I close my eyes. Feeling drawn into his hand. A cold chill shoots through my face and

into my body and my breath catches. As I slowly open my eyes and look up, feeling slightly

dazed. Our eyes meet. holding my gaze Leland whispers " You won’t embarrass them. trust

me."

As I try to breath, I manage to whisper back " I’m scared, that they will hate me."

" No one could ever hate you." Leland’s hand drops from my face as he moves to crouch

down in front of me. Taking my hands in his. " I promise. I will never hate you. Just

remember life is tough, so it is good to have someone holding your hand. That way you can walk away from the rest of the world together. "

I took a deep breath in and try to gather my thoughts as best I could. " Why are you being

so nice to me Leland? "

"Because, I’m your friend and I care about you." Leland said looking at my wrist, where I was

playing with my bracelet. “ and I like you.”

Leland confession that he liked me, took me by surprised. I felt like I had a thousand

butterflies in my stomach and I couldn’t help but blush. "Will you come with me tonight?" I

ask trying not to show how scared I was that he would say no and I would have made a fool

out of myself.

"Sure. I would like that, but shouldn't you call Wes and Audrey first and see if they would

mind if i join you all?" he says helping me to my feet. “ They may not want me to come that’s

all.”

" I will send them a message. You know you don't have to come, if you don't want to?" My

right hand was still being held by his as we begin to walk along the beach. But Leland stops

and turns to face me.

" I want to come with you, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." He says wrapping his arms

around my waist. I froze a little unsure of what to do next. I had never had a boyfriend or

even a real friend. So I went with my instinct, and wrapped my arms his waist. A warm

electric feeling washed over my body. For the first time in what felt like a long time I felt truly

safe and wanted.

You better get going." Leland said moving to take my hand again as we make our way

along the water’s edge back towards where the cars are parked. It’s a 5 min walk back to

the car and by the time we reach it the sun has set and the stars are begging to come out.

Reminding me of another time, another place.

" Wow, they are so beautiful, aren't they?" I say as I gaze up in to the sky.

" Yes, they really are. You go ahead and I will meet you there." Leland said still staring at

the sky.

"Ok" I say as Leland opens the my door and I get in. " But where's your car?" looking

around I could not see another car or bike.

" It's um further around" his eye glancing from me to where we had just walked through. It

was as if we were not alone.

" You drive carefully and I will meet you in there. “Leland said kissing my head before closing

the door " I will find you."

Unsure of what to say or do I started the car and looked up, his figure was becoming non￾existent in the shadows behind me. My mind and heart was racing over what had just

happened. I tried unsuccessfully to gather my thoughts on what had just happened, but as

happy as i was there was something that I felt I was missing