Same Old Sky | Chapter Four

After we got outside, Ali, Tasha and I went straight to the docks, munching on our yorkies.



When we got there, we sat on the side of the dock, swinging our toes in the water, and discussing our plans for the weekend.



"I think we should shoot firecrackers." suggested Ali. "I know a store where you can get a box of snap bangs for twentyfive cents" She took another bite out of her yorkie and chewed thoughtfully.



A small spark burned my skin, and I yelped, choking on the last bit of my yorkie.



"Ali!" I complained. "You can't do it when you're so darn close!"



Ali's eyes were big and she shook her head. "Are you okay?" Trisha said. "Also," her voice lowered a bit "That was delivered by boys. Not Ali." I stood up, brushing off my shorts, and turned to face the offenders.



"Do you need something, or is it your everyday habits to annoy girls who haven't done a thing to you?" I said, with quite a lot of unnecesary heat. My arm hurt almost to distraction!



The tallest of the boys blinked and turned very white.



"Sorry." He said. "I was aiming for Trisha. She's my cousin" he said weakly. He looked like he was about to puke.



"Um.. That's.. Okay? Why do you look like that?" I said, raising an eyebrow.



"Your arm" said one of the boys steadily. "You might want the nurse to look at it."



I glanced down at my arm. It had turned a weird purple color and was bleeding.

"Nah." I said, challenging this boy with the weak stomach to disagree.



"Are you sure" said Trisha quietly. "Yes" I said, the words forming a brickwall. (not really, but you know what I mean)



"Right." Said the boy who had recommended the nurse. "Well, anyway, I'm Jordan, this is Mason, and that's Mitch." He said, gesturing towards the boy who had thrown the .. whatever it was.



"Hi. I have a dog named Mason." I said dryly.



Mason blinked. "Lots of people have dogs named Mason. Actually, I have a dog named Mason!"

Jordan and Mitch started laughing hysterically and Ali put her hand over her mouth.



I barely cracked a smile, holding my arm. "C'mon, Trish, Al-"



"Wait!" yelped Mitch. "You're not gonna go telling everyone around the school I threw a snap bang at you, are you?"



This time I laughed. "Of course not, you dimwit. We're going to go buy firecrackers for tonight!"



Mason and Mitch looked at each other and grinned -- Jordan sighed.



"We were planning to shoot firecrackers tonight with a few guys. Mind if we go with you?"



Trisha and I said nothing, but Ali said "Sure, why not?" and giggled.



"Why, Ali?" I whispered.



"Later" she whispered back.



We all walked towards a small store, Ali leading. When we got there, a woman smiled at us, but her gaze lingered over me. I could feel the tips of my ears burning -- red hot, like they were on fire. I wanted to put my ice cold hands on them, but I would look like a retard.



I blinked hard and put down my share of the money, three boxes of snap bangs, two roman candles, and four bozes of sparklers.



"Five Thirty Seven, dear" said the woman. Her voice sounded like she was in her late fifties, but she didn't look that old at all.



I blinked and nodded, pushing the money towards her and taking my firecrackers.

"Um, Sam?" said Trisha.

"Yeah?"

"Your arm .. um .." I glanced down at my arm as the last of the blood faded and the wound faded into a scab, then a white mark, then disappeared.

I looked around wildly in time to see Mitch shut his eyes and lean against the counter, the perfect picture of laziness. Or fatigue?

"Sh" I hissed. "I don't know either, but sh, all the same"

Trisha smothered a giggle, so did I.

"Bad news" said Ali. "I got at least twenty boxes of snap bangs"

"That's bad why?" I said. "Now ve can have our revenge!" I said in my best imitation of Dracula.

Ali and Trisha went into fits of giggles as we left the shop with the boys trailing behind us, talking about tonight.