My Dawn

Chapter 17

“DAWN BE CAREFUL!” Scott shouted loudly.

The guys all looked at her as she approached the large ramp and skated up it. She grabbed the ramp with her palm and balanced herself with a one arm handstand. They saw her visibly shaking as her board fell down. Scott and Lucas ran over to her.

“Dawn, focus.” Lucas said.

Dawn exhaled the breath she had been holding and she straightened her feet in the air.

“Slowly position yourself to get down safely.” Scott said.

Dawn started to do the splits until her jeans wouldn’t let her anymore.

“The jeans won’t let me.” Dawn said.

“Try to lean backwards.” Lucas said.

“No. I got this.” Dawn groaned.

She started to shake again. Dawn rotated to face away from them. She turned away and looked at them.

“Move.” Dawn said.

They stepped aside.

“What’s your plan Dawn?” Scott asked.

“Backflip.” Dawn strained.

“It’s safer to slide down. You can snap your ankle or neck flipping from there.” Lucas said.

“If you don’t challenge yourself. You never know your limits.” Dawn strained.

She lowered her right leg as they looked.

“She’s going to flip.” Derek said.

“She’s going to kill herself.” Mike said.

They started to get closer. Dawn grabbed the edge of the railing with her foot, and then kicked off of it. She started to flip backwards through the air and Scott caught her.

“You looked like you wouldn’t land on your feet.” Scott said.

Dawn looked at him annoyed.

“I would have learned my lesson.” Dawn said.

“That’s a lie. You never learn your lesson.” Lucas said.

Lucas and Scott laughed as Scott helped her back to her feet.

“Dawn are you okay?” Patrick asked.

“Dawn’s fine. Her board fell and she would have hurt herself getting back down.” Lucas said.

“I was asking Dawn.” Patrick said.

“Feisty.” Lucas said.

“I’m okay Patrick. They aren’t wrong. I was just stubborn and wanted to try a flip.” Dawn said.

“And you weren’t going to land it so Scott caught you.” Lucas said.

“Don’t do that again, we were all worried.” Mike said.

“Why are you all worried?” Dawn asked.

“Doesn’t matter. Look Dawn you need to be careful.” Jessie said.

“Yes daddy.” Dawn joked.

The guys looked confused at Dawn and then laughed when they realized she was s**t stirring Jessie.

“Let’s get back to the game.” Mike said.

They walked away. When they looked back after a while, Dawn was dancing with the boys near the undercover gazebo and laughing. She had brought her things over there and they were in the shade to continue singing and dancing and having a laugh. Derek was feeling jealous.

“I’m exhausted, I am just going to catch my breath.” Derek lied.

He ran over to Dawn and the two boys.

“Exhausted my ass.” Jessie mumbled.

The others including Patrick joined them. Jessie kept bouncing the ball and aiming it at the basket. Dawn noticed the crowd gathering and stopped singing. She put her guard up and sat down with Lucas and Scott on each side of her. They knew by her posture that she was becoming uncomfortable. Lucas handed Dawn one of her bottles.

“What’s up boys?” Lucas asked.

“We are having a break from the game.” Derek said.

“How come Jessie is out there alone?” Dawn asked.

“No idea.” Oscar said.

“Wait here, I will ask him to take a break.” Dawn said.

Dawn walked towards Jessie as he kept shooting hoops and keeping his eyes away from her and the others. Jessie was hitting every basket.

“You’re pretty good at that.” Dawn said softly.

Jessie hesitated. He looked at Dawn for a moment with an annoyed look on his face. Jessie looked at the ball in his hands then shot it into the basket again.

“Aren’t you supposed to be dancing with them?” Jessie asked.

Dawn didn’t like his tone. It was filled with jealousy and anger.

“Wait, what do you think is going on?” Dawn asked.

“Take a guess. I see you dancing with a couple boys and having fun. Then a group of guys, not just guys. My friends, get jealous and pretend they needed a break. Just to watch you dance up close. It doesn’t take a genius to realise their motive. They like you, Dawn.” Jessie said.

He sounded jealous and bitter.

“Jessie, whether they like me or not. That’s on them. I don’t like them back. It isn’t mutual. Besides after what I’ve been through, I am not interested in having a boyfriend.” Dawn said softly.

“Then why do you constantly try to get their attention?” Jessie asked.

“I don’t do what I do for attention. I am pushing my limits. I am trying to learn what I can and can’t do. I am pushing myself out of my comfort zone to try new things. Out of everyone here, I thought you at least knew me enough to know the truth. Nice to know that you think the worst of me.” Dawn said.