My Dawn

Chapter 3

Dawn walked towards the small cement wall near where they were and pulled a skateboard over the edge. The boys watched her with Laura and they were surprised. Dawn jumped onto the board and rode towards the skate park part, she starter to grind and do ollie’s in the skate park.

She was smiling and laughing as she did it. When she jumped onto a small pole across a bump she balanced perfectly. Dawn rode fast to the bigger one. She jumped of the board and high fived Lucas and Scott at the top of the ramp. They were laughing and hugging her.

“Dawn! What happened today?” Lucas asked.

“What do you mean?” Dawn asked.

“You skipping school. Why?” Scott asked.

“Doesn’t matter, it’s not my story to tell.” Dawn said.

“What’s the plan for the night?” Scott asked.

Patrick and Jessie exchanged glances. They noticed Lucas and Scott each had an arm on Dawn’s shoulders.

“I’m just chilling with Tate for a bit.” Dawn said.

They walked to the playground and Dawn sat on the swings as she was talking to them. Patrick, Jessie and Laura got closer.

“How’s that going?” Lucas asked.

“I don’t like it, but it is what it is.” Dawn said.

“Rumour has it, you spray painted the car.” Lucas said.

Dawn giggled.

“No idea what you mean.” Dawn lied.

Scott and Lucas laughed.

“Pretty sure you do. We saw you and Laura’s interaction when you sat down.” Scott said.

Lucas laughed as he grabbed his water from his bag. He noticed Laura out the corner of his eye. Lucas handed his water to Dawn. Dawn had a drink and handed it back.

“We should probably whisper, Laura’s watching us.” Lucas whispered.

Dawn turned her head around while she sat on the swings.

“Hey bestie.” Dawn said.

“Hey, what’s up? We saw you and wanted to see how you were.” Laura said.

“Not much. Just chilling with the guys.” Dawn said.

Laura got closer with Patrick and Jessie.

“You look like you are about to cry?” Laura asked.

“No, I had a strand of hair poke my eyes.” Dawn said.

Everyone knew it was a lie but didn’t press on the issue.

“How long have you been coming here?” Laura asked.

“Nearly every night. Tate brings me, if it isn’t Tate then it’s Anna or Richard.” Dawn said.

“Who are they?” Patrick asked.

“Just friends of the family.” Dawn lied.

Patrick nodded.

“We saw Dawn the first night, and we recognised her from school so we said hello and started skating together.” Scott explained.

“You never said you knew them.” Laura said.

“Does anyone really know someone properly? I only get a few hours a night to come here and most of it is for training.” Dawn said.

“Training?” Patrick asked.

“To skateboard?” Jessie asked.

They pretended they didn’t watch her.

“No, it’s complicated.” Dawn said.

“Will you share one day?” Patrick asked.

“Dawn is pretty much a gymnast, dancer, athlete and she’s talented.” Tate said.

The three saw Tate, his short spiky black hair, muscles on his body showing through his singlet. Tight black jeans. Laura just got a crush on him.

“What’s her talent?” Scott asked.

“Being a troublemaker. I just got a call about today. Care to explain?” Tate asked.

“No, it’s not my story to tell.” Dawn said.

“Oh, so you skipping class isn’t your story?” Tate asked sarcastically.

“Yes.” Dawn said.

“And what about painting the car?” Tate asked.

Scott and Lucas tried to not laugh but failed.

“Busted.” Lucas fake coughed.

Jessie and Patrick looked at Dawn.

“That, ah that one is my story.” Dawn said.

“Well, spill it.” Tate said.

“I said it was my story, I didn’t say I was an open book.” Dawn said.

“I’ll take you back now if you don’t open up. You need to stop keeping s**t to yourself.” Tate said.

Dawn rolled her eyes.

“He was an asshole to another student. Pushed them over and didn’t even help them. So, I made sure everyone knew.” Dawn said.

Tate had his fingers on the bridge of his brow.

“They’re considering removing you. You need to stop being so impulsive and destructive Dawn. We’ve talked about this.” Tate snapped.

“I know.” Dawn said.

“Removing her?” Laura asked.

Tate nodded. Dawn was looking down.

“As in from school?” Laura asked.

“No, her placement.” Tate said.

“I don’t understand.” Laura said.

“They don’t know?” Tate asked.

“Lucas and Scott do. Richard announced it to them without my permission.” Dawn said.

“Dawn, if I am your best friend. Then I should know.” Laura said.

Dawn sighed. She got up and grabbed her board.

“Dawn?” Laura asked.

“Go home Laura.” Dawn said.

She sounded cold and distant.

“What’s bothering you? I know something is bothering you.” Laura said.

“Dawn doesn’t like exposing things like her feelings. She won’t be happy telling you and if she does, then she stays away for a while. If you push her to tell you, then you might even end up losing your friendship.” Tate said softly.

“I don’t believe that. Dawn, what is bothering you?” Laura asked.

Patrick saw Dawn looking really mad.

“Laura let’s go home.” Patrick said.

“I think that would be best. When Dawn is ready to share, she will.” Scott said.

“Tate, I’m going to skate back.” Dawn said.

“No, you know the protocol.” Tate said.

“f**k protocol.” Dawn said.

Dawn was skating away but Laura ran after her.