The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 11

Roman peered out towards the ocean, where he saw the sun was beginning to sink behind the waves. It would soon be dark, which would make finding Aden more difficult than it was already proving to be. He knew he wasn’t at the diner. After he had left Irene had text to say she was locking up early, which was understandable considering the state Cassie had been in. He had knocked at his house but received no answer, the school would now be shut, and Roman didn’t know anything about Aden’s friends, other than that he didn’t appear to have any. He’d seen him with a dark haired kid a couple of times, but it seemed they were drawn together out of circumstance rather than friendship. No, if he knew Aden, and he thought he did, then his pride would prevent him from seeking out the comfort and help of others. He glanced at his phone wishing it to tell him the answer, but he knew it was pointless. He didn’t even know Aden’s number. He tapped it against his chin as he scoured the beach one last time. As he did so he saw a slim figure emerge, it appeared as if out of nowhere. He ran towards it, as he got closer the figure materialised into Belle. He slowed his pace, stopping in front of her confused face.

“Belle, sorry, I thought you were someone else.” He began, feeling a little foolish for just charging over. “You haven’t seen Aden have you?”

“Yeah” She replied, looking back towards the alcove she’d been hiding in for the past hour, thinking back to Aden’s weird manner. “Yeah about an hour ago, on the beach, why?” She didn’t want to give away where exactly she’d found him. She hadn’t told anyone about the hiding place, if it was important to her that it be kept a secret, then she guessed it was probably important to Aden too.

“I just really need to find him.” He answered vaguely. He didn’t know how many people knew about what happened, and he certainly didn’t want to be the one to make it public knowledge. “Do you know where he went?”

Belle dithered a moment, full of her own questions that she’d wanted to ask Aden earlier but hadn’t felt able to. At least she knew why he’d sounded so accusing when she’d stumbled upon him. Something weird was going on that she kept getting tangled up in. “No, sorry” she replied truthfully. She let the questions reside inside her, it really wasn’t her place.

Roman’s face fell. Well, at least someone had seen him not that long ago. That meant he had been OK, and that he was still in the area. “OK, well, thanks Belle”

She walked past him, in the direction he had just come, thinking she should probably get home and make sure Geoff and Annie were alright.

“Belle” Roman called after her. She turned back to face him. He was struggling to find the right words for what he wanted to say, without sounding too obvious, “How did he seem to you?”

Belle was the one to struggle now. She knew the answer, he’d looked awful. She thought back to how she’d found him, and realised just how fragile he had seemed. At the time her head had been so clouded by her own problems she hadn’t fully realised it, but now she was a little worried. She also didn’t know how much to tell Roman, she didn’t know what he wanted Aden for. She also felt a strange loyalty to his privacy. If it was obvious to her that the place behind the rocks was a secret that they now shared, then surely what they had seen of each other there was just as much of a secret? She looked into Roman’s eyes to assess what his intentions were, but realised her own eyes had already given enough away for him to guess.

“Roman what’s going on?” he wanted to tell her. She seemed genuinely worried, and if she’d seen him in a state, which was what he now suspected, then it only made sense she’d want to know. But he couldn’t tell her, it wouldn’t be right.

“I’m sorry, I really can’t say” He held his hands up helplessly, trying to connote to her his own helplessness. “But, if you see him, will you let me know?”

She didn’t know Roman very well, but he seemed truly concerned “Yeah, I will.” She doubted she’d see him again now anyway. She silently cursed herself for not probing Aden earlier on, and then thought against it. He hadn’t wanted her there, he had only moved because he realised she had come to battle out her own thoughts, and not to hassle him about his. Yes she was curious, but whatever it was seemed to be weaved into secrecy.

She turned and walked back towards home, brushing away her curiosity. She brought her mind back to herself, and was glad that at least her head was clear again. She had done the right thing by leaving her job, despite the damage it did to her career. But it didn’t mean she had to give up straight away.

Roman watched Belle disintegrate into a slim wandering figure again. It had grown dark, and the wind blustered about him. He assessed the information he had to hand. Aden had been on the beach an hour ago, but had moved. Which meant there was a chance that he had gone back home since then. Roman decided to give it one last shot.

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 12 As promised!

WARNING: Some violence.

Chapter 12

Aden pressed the bottle to his lips and forced himself to take another swig of the foul, potent liquid that was all too familiar to him. It reminded him of his father, but then, it was his father’s whiskey he was drinking.

He could feel it burn as it glided down his throat and settled on the lining of his stomach. He noticed his senses slipping away from him, and welcomed the numbness that swept over his body to replace them.

How long had he sat there? He couldn’t remember. In fact the very concept of time seemed absurd to him thinking about it now. Some minutes seemed to last hours, they defined your whole life. Others evaporated the moment they were over. Time, he mused, was untrustworthy, but he could cheat it, by drinking. Drinking blurred time into moments, a couple more mouthfuls and before he will have caught up time will have jumped to tomorrow, and he could find out what fate awaited him. He took another swig of whiskey, to speed up the process, and felt his guts churn against him.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?” He had not heard his father come in, nor had he expected him yet. He smiled; time had started jumping forward already. He looked up to his dad, whose face was enraged.

Aden lifted his hand and looked at the half empty bottle he held, and then turned to his father casually, pointing to it with his other hand “Drinking” he stated. A short laugh followed this as he realised how ridiculously obvious the answer was. As if to enforce his answer, he took another swig from the bottle.

His father gawped at him for a few moments, frozen with fury, before swooping down to snatch the bottle away from his lips, letting some spill in the spaces between them as he did so.

Aden fell forwards on his seat slightly, before his responses kicked in and he looked up at him in surprise. “Hey what’s your problem?” He wiped his mouth with his sleeve “there’s plenty to go round, you don’t have to snatch” he said, disgruntled.

“Drinking!” His dad declared, staring at the state that was his son “I don’t believe this Aden! As if you’re not in enough trouble already today!”

His father’s voice boomed at him, it enraged him. “What’s wrong with drinking? You get drunk EVERYDAY!” He had raised himself off the sofa now, levelling his dad with his eyes.

His dad looked away, turning to place the bottle on the kitchen counter “Look at you” he muttered, changing the subject “you’re a mess”

“Familiar is it?” he had shouted the words without meaning to.

His father strode over to stand before him, his body shaking with rage “Shut your mouth” He had tried to say it calmly, but the words were tinged with anger. He let out a deep sigh, before placing the hand that had been pointed at his son, so that it rubbed his temple. “Just…. Go to bed.” He exclaimed tiredly, moving back away from him “We’ll discuss this in the morning”

Aden felt cheated. Why did everything have to wait until tomorrow “No!” He yelled, running after his father, who was exiting the room “No Lets discuss it now!” He grabbed his father’s arm, pulling him back towards him

“Aden! I have told you to go to bed, now do as I SAY!” He was yelling into his face but Aden couldn’t hear him, he just kept pulling at him

“No I want to talk!” He said it forcefully, but a childlike forcefulness. His father kept fighting against him, trying to push him off

“JUST TALK TO ME!” he screamed it into his father’s face.

His father shoved him backwards, holding him against the wall sternly “What would you like to talk about Aden?” He snapped, all attempts at patience had flown out the window “You drinking my whiskey? You being late to school? You failing your HSC the first time? Your little stunt with the newspaper? The phone call I got from Mr Bartlett this morning? Or you being thrown off the football team for bullying?” His father was in full swing now “You’re a disgrace to this family Aden!” He said the words quietly, menacingly into his sons hurt face. He waited for a reaction, when none was received he released his grip, and walked away.

Aden breathed deeply a few minutes, fighting himself to not think of the hate in his father’s eyes “This family?” He said shakily. “This family dad?” His voice started to rise again. “It’s this family that’s a disgrace dad!” His father’s eyes stared him down with aggression, threatening him into silence. But he ignored it “You gave up on this family the moment mum died!”

“HOW DARE YOU!”

Aden ignored him again, lost in his own words, watching them spill out into the world, one demon at a time “You drank yourself away from us! YOU IGNORED US!” Tears lined his eyes now

“That is not true I have always been here. I watched every game you’ve ever played!” He stated firmly

“Yeah, football! Dad! Where were you when Justin ran away? Where were you when Sean went to prison? Where were you at night when Grandad –

“SHUT UP” His father bellowed, cutting him off

He fell silent, locking eyes with his father. The words, the forbidden question, it poured forth from him before he knew what was happening “You knew, didn’t you?” The words were quiet, but sharp. They sliced open the room, and the years of secrets the house had hidden tumbled out and filled the spaces between them.

Words weren’t necessary; the answer was plastered all over his father’s trembling face. The force of it knocked the wind out of him. Aden let his body collapse against the wall as dizziness overpowered him. The burning liquid that had rested on his stomach lining before had soured to this metal taste that rose back through his throat like bile, no, sick. And he was, everywhere. His guts lunged forwards in a tidal wave; the smell singed his nostrils as he heaved over and over again, barely breathing. As the retching started to slow and weaken his senses began to return, unwelcome, to his body. He felt a hand rubbing circular motions on his back, but flinched away from it.

He stumbled towards the front door, holding his stomach with one hand, and propping himself up on the wall with the other. He heard his father’s voice call him back but it was distant, as though he were miles away. He kept moving further away from it. The wind hit him hard as he reached the outdoors and awakened him to his own poor state. The freshness of it felt surreal as he tried to process what had just happened. Years and years of his imagination acting out the day he confronted his father had never prepared him for this. He had always imagined his father would be blissfully ignorant of the secrets that enveloped him in silence. He smiled bitterly at the state of himself, and his own naivety. Of course he’d known. A hollowness engulfed him as the reality of what that meant seeped in. He suddenly felt exhausted, and allowed his body to fall to the ground in a heap.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“Aden?” Roman had been approaching Aden’s house when he had spotted the teen hurriedly stumbling out of it, before promptly falling to the ground. He walked cautiously over, careful not to startle him. He bent down beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Aden?” Nothing. He leant in and heard him breathing lightly, the smell of whiskey prominent on his breath. Other than a slight rise and fall of his chest he remained deadly still. Roman looked about into the night, unsure of what to do. He couldn’t just leave him here, not in the state he was in, and with what he knew might be the cause.

“Aden?” he shook him harder and heard a mumble “Aden you have to wake up I need to take you home” Aden’s body rolled away from him at that “No” he mumbled, his hands pushing Roman away from him.

“Aden, come on, you can’t stay out here all night” He shook him again to keep him talking

“No!” There was more aggression behind the words now, but Aden’s eyes remained shut, his body limp.

Roman sighed, well now what should he do?

“Aden, mate, look at me, hey” He lightly patted Aden’s cheek, holding his chin, forcing the boy to open his eyes reluctantly. “You can’t stay here” He said the words slowly.

Aden’s eyes came into focus with Roman’s “I’m not going back there. He hates me” The words were slurred, but Roman could tell they had some sort of meaning behind them, one he couldn’t guess right now, but definitely not just drunken rambles, something had happened. Roman peered back to the front of the house, willing it to provide answers.

“Well, you can’t stay here” He sighed, realising what he was about to say “Come on, you can come sleep on my sofa tonight” He began to lift Aden’s weight up, but was met with reluctance

“Get lost you perv” He had said the words aggressively, but his eyelids had slid closed again.

“Aden mate” He said, a friendly tone emitting from his voice “Trust me. Paralytic teenagers of either gender are not my type”

Aden’s brow furrowed in confusion, and he opened his eyes again to look at Roman “huh?” he questioned. There had been too many long words for his drunken mind to understand

Roman laughed “Come on” He said, lifting him up, this time with as much help as Aden’s drooping body could muster. Roman’s smile faded as he dragged them both along the path. He didn’t know quite what had happened. He had been inspired by Irene’s natural kindness towards others, and had dashed out to find Aden. The hours that had followed seemed to last forever, searching for Aden had given him plenty of time to envision the type of person he was going to be in this new life he had created for himself in Summer Bay. It was only now, as he dragged Aden’s drunken body along the path leading up to his house, that he realised he had no idea what he was getting himself into.

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 13

“Annie will you get a move on girly you’re gonna be late!” Irene yelled up the empty staircase, moving away only after hearing movement from above. She strolled back towards the kitchen, bumping into a sleepy Belle as she did so

“Woah, morning love” she held Belle at arms length so she could manoeuvre herself around into the kitchen “What happened to you last night?” She enquired, continuing the conversation.

Belle rubbed her eyes slowly, following Irene into the Kitchen, flicking the kettle on as she entered. “Morning Irene. I, err, had to think some stuff through”

Irene began to butter some toast on the side “What stuff?”

Belle threw her arm back over her shoulder, holding the back of her head with her hand, she knew a lot more questions would follow what she was about to say “Well, I quit the newspaper” She waited to gauge Irene’s reaction.

Irene stopped making her toast and faced Belle, giving the statement the respect it deserved. The respect she knew Belle needed right now. “Well, girly, I can’t say I’m all that surprised”

Belle was taken aback “So you’re not disappointed”

“Look Belle, I know that you really wanted that job, and if you’d kept it up you would have had my full support love…”

“But” Belle prompted

”But” echoed Irene “I can’t say I ain’t pleased you’ve backed away from it. Don’t get me wrong love, lord knows you’ve got the talent and skill to pull it off, but the things they were getting you to do, it weren’t you” She turned back to the toast, lavishing jam on top of the butter.

“So I suppose you’ll be needing a new job then?” Irene asked deliberately

“Yeah, if only I knew where to begin looking” Belle said, oblivious to Irene’s intentions.

“Well, I might know of something…” Irene turned back to her again now, plate in hand.

“Oh yeah?” Belle asked eagerly. She would be grateful for anything that would take her mind off of things.

“Well, now we’ve opened up the new diner we’re looking for some new staff?” Irene said it warily, unsure how Belle would react to an offer as a waitress. She hadn’t discussed with Belle whether she had given up completely on photography, but either way she decided that a break might so her good.

“Well, yeah ok” Belle said, genuinely interested.

“Really?” Irene questioned, surprised, having prepared herself for the worst.

“Yeah why not? It’ll take my mind off things”

Irene smiled with relief “That was my sentiments exactly. I just didn’t want you to feel like I’d given up on your dreams. I only think you could use a well earned break is all” Irene walked over to her and kissed Belle’s forehead “Lord knows you deserve it”. She placed the plate into Belle’s hands “Now will you eat some breakfast for a change, instead of running on caffeine all day.”

Belle chuckled “Irene you know I can’t eat anything this early”

“Belle, you’re so skinny, a gust of wind could blow you away, now I won’t tell you again- EAT” she emphasised the last word by shoving the plate closer towards the skinny girl before her. Belle smiled and obeyed Irene’s orders, glad to have someone telling her what to do.

Irene strode past her, back to the stairs “Annie! I won’t tell you again, now move it!” She yelled, striding back into the kitchen to prepare another lot of toast.

“Irene, where’s Geoff?” Belle asked, munching on a bit of toast, surprised at how hungry she actually was.

“Oh he got up at the crack of dawn to go to morning service at church”

Belle pondered the answer for a moment “But it’s Friday?” She knew Geoff was firm in his belief for God, but she also knew he had a firm belief in sleep too and usually only attended church on a Sunday.

“I know, but I think he had some stuff he wanted to get off his chest after last night” Irene reflected glumly, thinking back to Geoff’s actions throughout Cassie and Annie’s talk.

“What stuff?” Belle asked casually, she knew the minor upsets that were a constant in Geoff’s life, and was undisturbed by the news.

“Well, love, he didn’t really say, but I have an inkling it was to do with what Cassie and Annie were talking about last night” Belle thought back to last night. She had seen Cassie leaving the house as she had arrived, but by the time she had made it past the front door to find out what was up, everyone had cleared off to bed.

“Why what happened last night?” belle inquired, she felt like she’d been missing out on the events of the household not just last night, but for months now. She knew it was partly her own fault, and was determined to get back into the loop.

Annie had swooped down the stairs and flew into the kitchen, catching the last snippet of their conversation.

“Well it’s about time girly” Irene tutted.

“Sorry, what were you guys talking about?” Annie inquired, already half knowing.

“Oh I was just telling Belle that Cassie came over last night” Irene said indifferently, trying to brush the conversation aside. She hadn’t wanted to tell Belle about last night. She considered it Cassie’s place to tell people about her condition. She also felt that bringing up Aden might get Annie worked up about apologising to him again, and she wasn’t sure Annie should go anywhere near him while he was dealing with such serious issues.

Unfortunately for Irene, Annie desperately wanted Belle’s opinion on the matter, and had been disappointed she hadn’t been there last night

“Yeah, Geoff’s gone to church about it, I think he’s praying for Cassie” Annie reflected.

Irene rolled her eyes.

“Praying for Cassie? Why?” Belle had been drawn in; there would be no suppressing the matter now

“Because she has HIV, and now she thinks she might have given it to Aden” Annie’s answers were direct and to the point. She had matured so much since moving into Irene’s, but every so often she would let slip how truly child like she still was.

Belle coughed up the toast she had been eating in shock. “What?”

“OK Annie, I think that’s enough, you’re already running late for school” Irene pushed her out the house, determined the conversation should end there.

“Irene?” She had used her name as a question, as if to speak it would summon the answers to the questions that were lodged inside Belle’s brain. Luckily for Belle, Irene was trained in the art of mind reading.

“Yes, it’s true. But listen, Belle, I don’t know exactly how many people know about this, so please just keep it quiet will you? This is Cassie’s business, not ours.” Irene said it sternly, but her tone was gentle. She knew she could trust Belle.

“Yeah, yeah of course” Belle said, not fully paying attention. Her mind wondered back to yesterday on the beach, and she felt her stomach sink. She had been right there, and so caught up in herself she hadn’t picked up on any of it. She started to panic, what if Roman hadn’t found him? She couldn’t imagine being told anything so awful. And Cassie? Cassie, she gathered, must have already known. She thought back to the smile they had signalled to each other as their paths crossed last night. She had been so calm. Belle suddenly felt all her problems squish down into this tiny speck, herself shrinking along with them. People all over the bay had all these huge secrets that she had been so blissfully ignorant of. She felt like she’d only just woken up to the world, that she’d been walking blindfolded for the longest time. At first she thought it was just Geoff and Annie she had been ignoring, but now she’d stepped out from behind the frame the camera lens provided she could finally glimpse the full picture. She had had her back turned on the whole world.

“You ready then girly?” Irene’s voice brought her back into the kitchen. She was standing outside the door, keys in hand.

Belle placed down her plate and smiled. “Definitely” and she followed her out into the bright sunny day that awaited them.

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 14

The sound of the kettle bubbling awakened him to reality. He heard a chair scrape against a tiled floor, the screeching sound reverberated inside his head a thousand times. The sound was deafening to him. He felt like death. He slowly opened his eyes to the harsh sunlight, and was seized with panic at the unfamiliar surroundings he found himself in.

He bolted up, the pain that canvassed his body from the movement came second place to the fear that rose within his belly as he tried to recall what had happened, how he had ended up here. His head felt groggy, and his shrivelled, queasy insides told him he’d been drinking. He raised himself into a sitting position that upset his insides, and he held his head down in his hands, scared to let go, as though gravity might betray him if he did. A snippet of memory came back to him, the bottle of whiskey. His dad’s whiskey, he’d started drinking it. But why? He tried to think back to what happened before and after the whiskey stole his memory.

He heard footsteps descend the stairs and mentally tensed his brain to the sound they produced.

“Ah Aden, Good Morning” Aden turned in wild eyed wonder at the sound of Morag’s voice. He remained in silence, not yet trusting his mouth to function. That, and the fact that he still had no idea how or why he was here.

Roman appeared out of the kitchen at the sound of Morag’s voice, which alerted him to Aden being awake. He had got up deliberately early to ensure he was there when the teen awoke. He needed answers before he could begin to help clean this mess.

“Morning Morag, do you want a coffee” Roman asked brightly, raising one of the two mugs he held.

“No thank you Roman, I have to go. I promised to meet Alf at the diner for breakfast, and I want to make sure I avoid Colleen in the process.”

Roman nodded in acceptance, overly aware that Morag’s true intention was to give him and Aden some space. He thought back to last night, when he’d turned up on the doorstop, a drunken Aden draped across his arm and how Morag had helped them in without question. Working silently and methodically she had helped settle Aden on the couch and prepare covers, before taking herself off to bed, unfazed by the whole ordeal. It suddenly struck Roman that Morag wasn’t just a lawyer by profession, that she lived her life that way. She always knew more than she let on, and she was never surprised; having silently compiled and assessed every situation that befell her, she had also predicted likely outcomes. He smiled, wishing she could let him in on what was going to happen now.

“I’ll see you later” She said to the room indiscriminately, adding to Aden as an after thought “and I hope you don’t feel as bad as you look young man” before sweeping out the front door.

Roman watched her go, before sidling over to Aden, who had remained quiet throughout. He placed a mug of coffee on the table in front of him, before placing himself next to him on the sofa. “There you go mate”

Aden eyed Roman from the side, warily, before replying “Thanks” His voice was dry, and rough sounding. He took a gulp of coffee, glad of the way it burned his mouth. He gulped, letting the hot liquid cascade down his throat, invigorating his insides.

“So” Roman began, knowing how awkward this was going to be “How are you feeling?”

Aden placed the mug back on the table. He didn’t want to talk to Roman, but he needed answers and it looked like he was the only one who could provide them

“I can think of better ways to wake up than to Morag’s face” He replied tonelessly, staring at the space in front of him.

Roman laughed gently, concentrating on his next move. “Yeah” he added, stalling for time “heavy night was it?”

Aden tensed, racking his brain for answers. Angry he couldn’t remember “Yeah” It was vague, but efficient.

Roman sighed to himself, it was like pulling teeth. “So, I take it you don’t remember much about what happened?”

Aden began to panic. What was there to remember? He ran his hands over each other, “I was drunk” He shrugged dismissively “It happens. What I don’t know, is how I got here?” he questioned roughly. He stared at Roman’s face accusingly, intimidating him for answers.

Roman leaned back, trying to keep the tone casual “Yeah, I found you passed out on the street, and brought you back here late last night”

“Why?” Aden questioned unimpressed. He was frustrated with not being able to know the answers himself; annoyed at having left himself so vulnerable. If Roman had found him drunk, then he could have said anything.

“Well I was going to take you back home” Roman decided to persevere with the truth “But you didn’t want to go, so I brought you here instead”

Aden chewed over the answer. Roman seemed pretty casual about the matter. He supposed they were friends of a sort, why wouldn’t he help him?

“Thanks” He said finally, a tone of defeat in his voice. There were no more answers here.

“Not a problem. Just do me a favour, next time you paint the town red, try and stay standing will you? You aren’t exactly a feather-light princess” Roman had leant forward again, pleased that he had managed to keep Aden calm for so long. He contemplated ending the conversation there.

Aden breathed out, relaxing slightly. He had been known round the bay for dabbling with alcohol a few times before, and that’s how he would pass it off; casual, usual, normal delinquency. Although he still couldn’t remember if there was more to it, he sensed it. Something wasn’t right in his head, he could feel a large chunk of information buzzing about in his brain, but he just couldn’t touch it.

Roman stared at Aden from behind his coffee cup, there was something wrong still. It was written all over the boy’s face. He thought back to Irene’s big clumsy heart and sighed. This was the way it worked. You had to create some waves otherwise you weren’t doing it right.

“So um, Aden, why were you drinking last night mate?”

“Just like you say, a heavy night” Aden tried to sound casual.

“You casually drink by yourself, until you pass out?” Roman probed

Aden felt fidgety now, the anger rising in him made him restless. “It’s like I said Roman, it was a heavy night, I had a few too many”

Roman could hear a spitefulness enter Aden’s voice, a warning to back off. He wrestled with the options for a moment, but thoughts of Irene pestered him “So it wasn’t about what happened at the school yesterday?”

Aden’s stomach lurched again. He thought back to school, and the buzzing energy burst out of its locked cabinet in his brain, oozing anger and fear into every orifice of his body “I didn’t know you were such a gossip Roman” The spite had overtaken him now. He rose from the seat. He wanted to leave, but couldn’t, something pulled him back.

“I’m not, I’m just, I’m” He couldn’t explain himself properly, knowing whatever he said would get shot down “Have you been to get tested?” Just stick to helping him, he told himself.

Aden desperately wanted to yell at him, but there was nothing about the question to attack “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes”

“When do you get the results?” Roman asked, relieved at the answer. He didn’t know if he would have to persuade him or not, but he remembered that behind the rough demeanour, the boy actually had quite a good head on his shoulders.

He looked at his watch, shocked at the time, he was late for school – again, and Mr Bartlett needed no more excuses to suspend him “I don’t have time for this I’ve got to go”

“Wait a minute, Aden!” Roman called after him, but he had already darted out the door.

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 15

Annie bolted out of the classroom, relieved the first lesson was over. The news of her lie hadn’t taken long to spread, and she had walked into school with a thousand pairs of eyes staring at her, whispering to each other as she passed them. It wouldn’t bother her so much if it weren’t true, but every whisper reminded her of what she was capable of being, what she had almost become. She moped along the school corridor, her thoughts wondering back to the night before. She knew Irene was partly right, Aden would never forgive her. It didn’t mean she shouldn’t try though, at least then she might be free of her guilt. Maybe then she could get a clearer picture about where she stood with this whole God business. She knew thinking about it that way in itself was probably wrong, but at the moment that was just how religion appeared to her; work, a job that she had to get done. So wrapped up in her own thoughts was she that she banged, head first, into another body.

“Sorry” she heard a male voice synchronise the words with her own. She looked up into his brown eyes, and dropped the folder she had been holding in her arms. She gazed at him a second longer, until the sound of it hitting the floor disturbed her. She leant down to pick it up, her head colliding with his as he mirrored her movements.

“Sorry” She repeated, her face turning red. She had never felt so clumsy. The brown eyed boy uttered a laugh “Here’s your folder” He said shyly, bending his head to the floor as they finally stood to face each other. She reached for the folder his hand offered, and was shocked by the electricity that passed from his fingers through to hers. Both there eyes darted up to meet each other then.

“I’m Jai” he said calmly, extending his arm out.

Annie continued to gaze at his face, fixated on it. “Annie” she replied, placing her hand into his. They let there arms linger there for a while, just staring at each other.

Suddenly Annie felt a shadow loom over her back “Well well, Annie, you do work fast” Annie’s face turned a deep scarlet as she felt Axel’s breath upon her. “I’d watch out mate if I were you, this one chews ‘em up and spits ‘em out quicker than you can blink” Axel smirked, still leering over an agitated Annie.

Jai stared at the pair of them, uncertain what to think.

Suddenly a voice called out from down the corridor “Hey! Get away from her you jerk!” Annie sighed with relief at the sound of Geoff’s voice charging towards her.

Jai stared in silent wonder as two hands grabbed the back of Axel’s shirt and threw him down the corridor.

“You’ve got to watch these bible bashers! They’re the worst liars there are!” he called out. The thought to probe further darted across his face, but was suppressed by Geoff’s threatening glare. Axel took a few steps backwards, before turning away and sauntering off into the other direction.

“Annie, you ok?” Geoff asked, gazing down at his sister’s watery eyes.

Annie forced back the tears and barged past her older brother, away from the brown eyes that continued to stare at her. The humiliation of what she’d done was overwhelming. The first person who hadn’t treated her like some demon all day, someone that, well, she didn’t quite understand what had just happened, and it didn’t matter now. Word would get to him soon enough, he wouldn’t want to know her. She couldn’t wait any longer, she needed to find Aden and apologise, even if he still hated her.

Geoff watched painfully as his sister fled the corridor, but he didn’t follow. He knew she didn’t want his opinion on this, that she would hate him for it. He turned around into the face of some brown eyed younger teen he’d never seen before. “Who are you?”

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 16 This chapter is kind of boring (I think). Its essential to the plot though so bear with me! hopefully get to more intersting stuff soon!

Chapter 16

“So love, all you have to do is rinse the dishes, put them in the dishwasher, and then place em on the side once you’ve finished. You think you got that?”

“Yes Irene” Belle droned.

“Now, you sure you’re gonna be OK if I dash off?”

Belle sighed impatiently, “Irene, I’ve seen you work here a thousand times. I’ll be OK. Now go!” She shooed her with her hands.

Irene looked sceptical, but caved anyway, her eagerness to meet the social worker with Kirsty dominating her mind.

“Well, Roman should be here in a tic to help you out alright?” Irene cautioned, backing towards the door.

“Yes” Belle whined. He tone was friendly though, she knew the pressures Irene was under. “Now go!” she commanded with mock authority.

Irene held her palms up in surrender. As she turned to leave she smacked into a flustered looking Roman

“Irene!” He began urgently “Sorry I’m late, I know you need to get off…”

Irene quieted him with her hands. “Now love, don’t worry. I’ve found us some new help for the diner, so we won’t be running around chasing our own tails anymore!” she gestured towards Belle, who smiled at Roman as she strode out front to serve a customer.

“That’s great” Roman replied uncertainly, his tone unconvincing. He looked back from Belle to Irene, his eyes full of questions. He began to open his mouth, but Irene, ever the mind reader, sensed what he was thinking and jumped in “Now love, I know what you’re going to say and you’ve every right to be angry at me”

He folded his arms “You got that right”

“I know we agreed to choose the extra help together. But what with everything that’s going on at home I’m hardly here, which isn’t fair on you and Belle really needed a new job. But I promise you, she is a hard worker”

Roman breathed in, trying to keep his anger at bay. “Irene, I don’t have a problem with Belle working here, I just wish you’d consulted me first” It had sounded harsher than he had meant, the events of this morning still aggravating his brain.

“So she can stay?” Irene added, a sense that she had already won plain in her voice

Roman sighed “Yes, she can. BUT!” he added “I get to choose the other helper without consultation”

Irene grinned before spontaneously planted a kiss on his cheek “Whatever you want darl!”

Roman smiled, shaking his head softly as Irene dashed out of the door.

Belle waited attentively for Irene to leave before grabbing a pile of dirty plates and taking them to the kitchen, where Roman was changing into his chef’s jacket. She had eavesdropped into the conversation, having guessed what they might be talking about

“Hey Roman” she began timidly “look if me working here is going to cause problems between you and Irene I can make and excuse and find work elsewhere”

Roman sighed, which, he realised, was becoming a habit. He hadn’t wanted to upset Belle “Look Belle, I’m sorry you overheard that.” He replied earnestly “I’m happy for you to work here. In all honesty, Irene’s right, we desperately need help. I’m just…. Having a bad morning” He muttered, turning to the counter.

Belle nodded in acceptance, her memory jogged back to yesterday on the beach. She lingered behind him for a moment as he continued chopping vegetables.

“Say Roman, did you find Aden yesterday?” Roman stopped chopping. He had asked so many people where Aden was yesterday he had completely forgot he’d spoken to Belle, and was surprised by the question. Now she had asked he realised nobody else had, and felt an urge to know where the boy was now.

“Yeah, I did” He turned to face her, his tone softer than before. Her question had spurred his memory, and he realised she may have answers to some of the questions he had

“Belle, when you saw Aden yesterday, was he alone?”

“Yeah” She replied, reluctant to give details

“And did you speak to him?” She could see his face trying to piece the puzzle together.

“Not really, I mean, a few words I guess” She wished she had though.

“Did he seem, with it to you?”

Belle’s brow furrowed “What do you mean?”

“Did he seem drunk to you?” He asked bluntly.

“No. I don’t think so. Why?”

Roman’s face remained puzzled. He looked up from the kitchen tile he’d been gazing at to meet her eyes “How much do you know?”

“Enough to know it’s none of my business, or anyone else’s” She hinted at her own agreement to keep the information secret, to save Roman the hassle.

“Roman gave a nervous laugh “Thanks Belle”

She returned to placing plates in the dishwasher “You wait Roman, you’ll love me working here, you’ll see” She flashed him a cheeky grin over her shoulder

Roman felt a stab of guilt, he really liked Belle, and his anger had been petty and misplaced. “Well, it’s certainly more pleasant than Colleen” he joked casually, hinting back how much he appreciated her being discreet.

“Thanks” She replied sarcastically, secretly pleased.

“So, any idea who you’re going to ask to help out in the diner?” She asked, trying to keep the pleasant atmosphere with small talk.

“Well, I do have some one in mind, but Irene is not going to like it...” He said, a wicked grin crossing his face.

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 17 I'm getting addicted to writing this thing now. It's gonna end up like a novel by the time i'm done! Everytime I write a chapter i end up thinking of another little subplot to add into it. So now, there's jai and miles as well! I really wanted to include Miles! I love him!

Anyway thanks for all the comments, and please stick with it. I will get back to the aden plot eventually

Chapter 17

Aden ran into Miles Copeland’s class, out of breath, hung-over, and angry. Far too angry to apologise for being late.

Miles, who was halfway through an explanation of King Lear to, it seemed, the most unenthused group of students yet, raised his voice so as to talk over the interruption and draw attention back to himself. He had heard the whispered rumours circulating through the corridors all morning. The keen interest of Aden’s entrance now confirming his worst fears, this wasn’t going away. Luckily his authority combined with Aden’s glare brought their attention back to him, even if it was only exterior. He knew it would take more than a loud voice to stop the class from speculating on yesterday’s events. Hell, he wasn’t one for high school gossip, but he’d spent half the night doing the exact same thing. As the class focused their eyes back on him, he zoned in on Aden’s pale face and dishevelled clothing and decided to ignore the lack of an apology.

“So…” Miles continued “Yes, she was his favourite daughter, but…”

Aden zoned out the moment he set himself down on the chair. His physical appearance at school was essential, but his mind had long abandoned any attempt to actually learn today. Once this lesson was over, he figured he could sneak out to get his results back from the doctor, with Bartlett none the wiser.

“Alright Aden? You look like death mate” Axel jibed. Aden closed his eyes. Axel was the closest thing he had to a mate, but his conversations were effort to him at the best of times. Aden knew why he lost it with people; usually it was a lack of control. Axel almost took some weird joy out of it all. He didn’t understand it. Axel snubbed the attention his parents lavished upon him, instead seeking out the warped praise of misfits like himself. It was bizarre, but he didn’t consider liking the guy to be an essential aspect to their friendship. He considered it an institutionalised friendship, based on modes of survival. The school was the jungle, and he and Axel were from the same pack, they helped each other survive.

“Wouldn’t be what Cassie said yesterday would it? Everyone reckons you freaked cos you guys had, y’know…”

“Shut your mouth Axel” A few heads turned back at the retort, which he’d said louder than he intended. Luckily for Aden, he was the leader of this pack, and all too aware that Axel would take it, willingly.

“Hey listen” Axel persisted, the heads, losing interest turned back to the front, “I saw that little Christian girl, Annie, earlier, already lining up her next victim. Someone ought to teach her a lesson”

“Axel” Miles interrupted, “Seeing as you’re so eager to talk, you can read Act V, Scene I”

Aden’s mind melted into a useless blob as he listened to Axel stumble over the words to the play, and he willed it so. The events of yesterday were clear in his mind now, well, up to his passing out anyway, he’d just have to take Roman’s word on that front. However, the numbing effect of his hangover meant he hadn’t had to feel the consequences of it all yet.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“So guys what have we all learnt from this end scene?” Miles asked, gazing around the classroom.

“Axel?” He directed, signalling to Axel’s outstretched arm.

“That old King Lear was a perv who had a thing for his daughter?” a few boys around Axel stifled a laugh. Axel looked to Aden to join in, a sign of solidarity, but he ignored him, continuing to stare at the clock.

Miles sighed “That is one, very twisted interpretation Axel, for which I urge you to seek counselling immediately” Mile’s quick-witted response received a greater laugh from the rest of the class, and Axel sank down in his chair to avoid it, unimpressed.

“No guys” Miles continued “The scene teaches us that King Lear died of a broken heart, because he had become a broken man, the consequences of his own greed and paranoia. It is a…” Miles clicked his fingers, what’s the word I’m looking for…?” He gazed around again. Geoff raised his hand to respond. “Yes Geoff?”

“A moral sir?”

Miles slapped his knee from where he sat perched on the end of his desk “exactly the ticket” At these words the bell rang out, followed immediately by a scraping of chairs and a wave of chatter rising up to fill the room. “Ok guys, same time on Monday!” He yelled, ignored by the masses. As Aden went to walk past he blocked his way “Aden? A word please?” All lesson he had battled with himself as to whether he should interfere. In the end he decided the matter had been raised as a class discussion, so it was his responsibility

“Nope” replied Aden casually, avoiding eye contact he swerved round Miles and strode down the corridor towards the exit. Miles sighed. Even Aden Jeffries didn’t deserve this. He threw the book on his desk.

“Miles?” he turned his head round

“Jai, hey. How was your first morning?” He asked cheerily.

The brown eyed boy loitered nervously in the hallway “Alright I guess” he replied unconvincingly, shifting his bag

“Good” Miles added instinctively “Make any new friends?”

Jai’s body dragged itself further into the classroom “Not really”

Miles reflected for a second, before adding brightly “Well, most teenagers aren’t that approachable first thing in the morning, there’s still plenty of time”

Jai leant on one of the desks, he hated that Miles sussed out what Jai really meant, that he didn’t fit in. He wanted to prove him wrong “Well, I did sort of meet someone”

Miles studied the boy, and saw his cheeks blush “Oh Yeah?” Miles grinned “who?”

“Annie?” Jai said waiting for a reaction.

Miles eyes bulged. Jai fancied Annie? But Annie was such a… child. He did a mental shake of the head, trying to remember that Jai was only 14 himself, despite how old he acted sometimes. “Ah, Annie, she’s a nice girl”

“Really?” Jai asked, genuinely surprised. That isn’t what he’d been hearing all around school, on the walls and out of mouths

“Yeah” Miles reassured, suspecting he knew what jai was getting at. “Look mate, can I give you some advice?”

Jai decided he needed all the help he could get “yeah sure”

“Try not to pay too much attention to school gossip” he directed, his face serious “Annie, she’s been through a lot recently and high school rumours, they tend to get exaggerated”

Jai was wary “So, she didn’t almost send an innocent guy to prison?” scared he knew the answer

Mile’s face was torn, there was only so many ways you can dress it up “Well, yes. She did, but” he added quickly.

Jai’s face fell “Great” he said, turning to leave

Miles stood up to stop him “No, Jai, wait!” He struggled to rectify things “You’re new here OK, I think it’s a bit early to start ruling people out as friends. Annie, she’s not as nasty as people are making her out, she made a mistake. If she wants to be your friend, I think it would be foolish to turn her away”

Jai’s face became edgy, Miles was pretty much saying he was desperate. “Forget it; I don’t want to be friends with some silly little kid. I don’t need friends here.” He hated that Miles could see how out of place he was. He hated that Miles already thought he wouldn’t fit in. It gave him little hope himself. He hated high school and all its stupid games. He turned and walked away.

“Wait a minute Jai” Miles called after him. He placed a hand to his head. He was beginning to doubt himself. He’d already abandoned the kid once. He hadn’t managed to help Annie or Aden with their problems, and that was, what he considered to be, a big part of his job. How could he possibly help Jai? He rubbed his temple, wondering how Sally and Irene did it. How they managed to reach out not just to one kid, but to a multitude, without appearing to lift a finger? It was such hard work.

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 18

This chapter was supposed to be longer but when I finally got in from work and sat down to type I was knackered! So sorry if this bits a little crap. Hopefully will work on more and get the rest up soon! Thanks for all the comments! xx

Chapter 18

“It’s good news, your HIV negative”

Aden felt the tense fear that had invaded his body leave him as he sighed deeply with relief. It was like being let off a death sentence, he was free. However, the absence of the fear playing on his mind lifted the lid on all these other problems that had been crushed under it. Tears sprang to his eyes as he thought about Cassie, about how awful it truly must feel for her to be that way, to have to tell everyone something so revealing, so personal. He thought about his dad and felt cold. Why didn’t he just keep his mouth shut? If he had he wouldn’t have to face the harrowing truth about his father. Maybe Cassie didn’t hate him, he reasoned, but his father certainly did. How could he go back to that house knowing what he knew?

“Hey” a voice interrupted “this is the part where you celebrate. You’re OK” she reassured him.

Aden rose from the chair, desperate to avoid the nurse’s eyes, “No, it’s not” he corrected her honestly before swiftly removing himself from the room.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“Sorry darl, I wasn’t supposed to be gone for so long” Irene rambled, rushing into the diner kitchen, where Roman and Belle were busy preparing food. “So, how is your first day going love?” she asked Belle as she tied an apron round herself.

“Yeah it’s been good” Belle replied happily. She and Roman had been getting along, and he seemed to be impressed with her work. On top of which she had actually enjoyed it, the simple task of interacting with the public had brought her back into the forefront of the bay. All day people had chatted to her, about their problems, the weather, the sea. For the first time she didn’t feel like some failed photographer.

“Yeah she’s been fantastic Irene” Roman added sincerely.

Irene beamed with pride “Well, that’s fantastic girly! Right well, Roman, you’ve held up fort all day, I think it’s about time you took a break” Roman smiled

“Irene that’s really nice of you but you don’t have to feel like you need to make it up to, we’re partners”

“Exactly my point love, were partners, half the business, half the work, now go on”

Roman uncrossed his arms and held his hands up “Alright, you don’t have to tell me again” He said, secretly relieved. All day he’d desperately wanted to catch up with Aden.

“Same goes for you girly!” Irene turned to Belle

“But Irene, whose going to help you?” Belle asked, genuinely concerned. Irene would never let on that she was in over her head.

“Belle, Leah is on the counter, and there’s only an hour to go till we shut up. I’m sure we’ll manage” her tone bordered on patronising, but Belle didn’t mind. Irene had done it to be friendly.

“Come on Belle, I’m gonna head over to the surf club if you want to join me. After the way you worked today you deserve it” Roman added, not revealing his true intention was to search for Aden there. At least this way it wasn’t as obvious.

Belle caved at that. She had not wanted Roman to think she was slacking off either, and his approval swayed her. “Alright” She agreed brightly. “Just let me finish this order and grab my things” Belle said, speeding up the work process.

“OK, I’ll wait for you outside the front” he added, pointing a thumb behind him, towards the door.

“So….” Irene began “Was everything alright? Y’know with Roman?”

Belle grinned at her “Don’t worry Irene, I overheard you guys this morning and, we sorted it out. He’s alright with me being here” She said casually, placing the salad she had just chopped onto the plate

A range of emotions crossed Irene’s face before she settled into a smile “Well, that’s great!”

”Yeah it is” Belle smiled, knowing that Roman had a surprise of his own up his sleeve. She hoped that she might wheedle more information out of him at the surf club. She grabbed the plate she just filled and took it through the front.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Aden walked into the surf club and strolled up to the counter he fought with himself as he waited to get Alf’s attention. A drink would block it all out again, and then he wouldn’t remember what he knew now, and he wouldn’t have to think about where he was going tonight, because time would bypass him again.

“Aden” Alf muttered disapprovingly “What can I get you?”

“Nice to see you too Alf” He said with mock sincerity “I’ll take a mango smoothie without the venom please” He leant on the counter, smirking across to Alf, looking to aggravate him, because he knew it would. Taking a dig at Alf was all he could do to stop himself from going back there again. He might choose to remain sober, to face time and what it brought him, but he didn’t have to be happy about it.

“One of these days lad, you’ll have to learn some manners” Alf replied gruffly as he began to mix the smoothie.

“Yeah well it doesn’t look like it’s today does it?” He retorted nastily, scanning the room. As he did his eyes fixed on Cassie, who had just entered the surf club.

She saw him immediately, glanced about nervously, and then breathed in and walked directly over to him. She would have to face him sooner or later. “Aden, how are you?” She asked nervously, the real question etched into every word.

Aden looked at her through angry eyes, but inside he felt his stomach sinking. He saw how small she was, her frightened eyes told him she had never meant for any of this. This had always been way out of her control. He knew how insane the fear was that gripped you, and that was just at the possibility. She had already been sentenced. How could he have expected her to think about other people, of him, with what she was going through? Alf slid the drink over the counter “There you are”

“Can I get you a drink?” He asked her sincerely, unable to answer her question. He owed her the truth, but he couldn’t talk about it. He felt like if he opened up to her all this other stuff would bubble over and spill out onto her. She already had enough troubles of her own.

She was shocked, but understood what he meant. She smiled “Strawberry smoothie please” she said, her tone still nervous. She had forgotten that Aden had the ability to be nice, and this small act had shocked her. She remembered that when they had gone out, ages ago, he had been nice, and caring and sweet, but after he lied for his brother, and wouldn’t explain why she had been so angry with him. In hindsight she realised it was because a small part of her was still in love with Rick, the guy who had suffered at the hands of Sean’s anger. She couldn’t figure the guy out, he could be SO cruel. Yet now, when it really mattered, he was there, calling a truce.

Alf had been confused by the interaction, and decided it was best to leave them to it. So he made the smoothie abruptly.

“Aden” Cassie said, trying to get him to look at her, instead of the other direction. He obeyed, turning to meet her gaze, acting nonchalant. “I’m glad you’re OK.”

He sipped his drink turning his eyes away again, trying desperately to subdue the lump in his throat. “I’ll never forgive myself for not telling you straight away you know that right?” She asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. Alf came back with the drink, handing it to Cassie. Aden handed Alf some money, before turning to leave.

“Aden” Cassie persisted, confused by his sudden change of manner

Aden snatched his arm away from her; unable to cope with the conversation any longer “Stop acting so fake Cassie” he said harshly, turning to her “I already knew you hated me. So now the whole world knows what you’re really like, you can stop acting like such a saint.” He waited for her response, watching her eyes fill with tears before she suddenly ran out. He felt a stab of guilt as he watched her go, the anger he had just felt leaving him as quickly as it had come. He shook his head, unable to understand why he’d just done that.

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 19 This scene may be continued. Haven't decided which way to take it yet. Thanks for all the comments! xx

Chapter 19

Roman spotted him the moment he and Belle walked through the door. He was leant over the pool table, about to pot a red ball. Belle saw Roman’s eyes divert to Aden and decided to make herself scarce.

“Right well, I think I owe you a drink! Beer?” She asked, clasping her hands together.

“Sure, thanks Belle” Roman replied distractedly. “I’ll be over in a minute” he added, before moving towards Aden, whose back was turned to them.

Belle walked up to the counter where Alf was drying a pint glass, looking over to Aden. “I don’t know what Roman sees in that boy” He said, it seemed, to himself. He snapped out of himself and looked at Belle “Sorry love, what can I get you?”

She had followed his gaze to the pool table, but turned back to answer him “two beers please Alf”

Roman walked to the ledge of the pool table, ensuring he entered Aden’s vision. He watched him as he potted the ball, crossing his arms “Nice shot”

Aden finally acknowledged him, briefly, before circling the table to line up his shot.

Roman waited for a response that never came, before deciding to change track “You know mate I wish you hadn’t rushed off this morning, I was hoping to talk to you” He said, trying to assess Aden’s mental state, but he wasn’t giving anything away. He seemed calm, which was good, but he was also deadly silent, which wasn’t so great. Maybe he hadn’t even got his results back yet.

“Yeah well” Aden finally replied, leaning over the pool table again, “I had to get to school, Bartlett already wants my head so…”

Roman nodded, moving around the table so he was standing next to Aden. “Aden,” he whispered seriously “Did you get your results back yet?” he had leant into the boy’s ear to ask the question, knowing how important privacy was to him.

Aden missed the shot and glanced up at Roman, before raising himself off the pool table “Yeah, I’m clean” He said tonelessly. He liked Roman, and after last night knew he probably owed him one. He owed him the answer at any rate, but he couldn’t be nice right now.

Roman relaxed, allowing a small laugh to escape “well, that’s great” he said genuinely.

Aden eyed him cautiously. The guy was truly pleased, relieved even. “You try telling that to Cassie” He muttered. He hadn’t meant it as he knew it sounded. He knew she wished him no harm, which was what made it so horrible. Her being good didn’t save her from her fate. She couldn’t have helped what his results were, and he couldn’t change hers.

“Mate Cassie, of all people, would never wish that on you, or anybody else for that matter. If anything she’ll be relieved.” Roman reasoned.

“It doesn’t stop her from having it though does it?” Aden replied bitterly, throwing the cue down on the table.

Roman reflected on the words sadly. “No” he replied honestly, defeated. “No it doesn’t” At least now, he thought, he knew why Aden was still in a mood.

Belle watched curiously from the counter as Aden and Roman chatted. She could read the relief coming from Roman that told her Aden was OK. So why couldn’t she read it on Aden himself? Surely just finding out you don’t have HIV is some of the best news you can receive? She held back at the counter sipping beer, trying to figure it out, and failing miserably. She finally saw his body soften as the chat became more casual. She saw the subtle ways that Roman unwound him, and soon the pair were smiling. She decided to walk over whilst the going was good

“Here you go Roman” she handed him the beer as she approached them, smiling weakly at Aden before averting her gaze. She still felt awkward about yesterday.

“Thanks Belle” Roman said, before averting back to the question he had just asked Aden. “So, what do you say?”

Aden’s brow furrowed. “But won’t Irene freak?” he asked confused

Roman smiled “When have you ever cared about that? Besides she promised this was my decision”

Belle interjected; worried she knew what this was about “Won’t Irene freak about what?”

“I was just telling Aden that we need a new pair of hands in the kitchen at the diner. Irene chose you, so I wanted to choose Aden.” Roman explained, he turned to Aden “You said you wanted some extra cash, so I thought this would help us both out”

Belle panicked, Irene really would freak. “Whoa Roman, are you sure this is a good idea?” she questioned seriously.

“Why Belle?” Aden butted in “Scared you won’t be able to keep your hands off of me?”

Belle scrunched up her face in disgust. How could he switch between the frightened perceptive boy she’d seen by the rocks and the smarmy idiot who stood before her? She knew the question had sounded mean and it wasn’t that she hated him, not anymore anyway. But Irene certainly didn’t like him, and wasn’t very good at hiding it. “Oh grow up Aden as if.” She turned back to Roman “I know it’s not my business, but you do realise he is mentally deficient don’t you?” She had said it to Roman, but had looked at Aden the whole time.

Aden smiled, surprised by her response. She cold dish it out as good as the next person. “Oh, and tell me, Belle, how mentally deficient do you have to be to take back a boyfriend who cheats on you with your own mother?”

Anger rose up in her, fuelled by the smirk that plastered his face. She swallowed it; she didn’t want him to win this one. She smiled at him sarcastically, “Ha ha” She turned to Roman “Are you sure it’s not breaking health and safety regulations having that in the diner when people are trying to eat food?” She said pointing to Aden.

Roman rolled his eyes, so it wasn’t just Irene it would annoy, but it was too late now “Hey, Hey, that’s enough now guys. They’ll be plenty of time for fun and games when you’re at work. If you both want to work there that is?” It was a question, he stared at them both.

“Oh I’m definitely in Roman” Aden grinned over at Belle’s stern face and crossed his arms. Glad to finally find someone with a bit of a backbone.

She knew she would scream at herself for it later, but she just found it impossible to back down. She mimicked his posture before replying “Yeah, count me in”

Roman smiled. “Well, that’s great” he said, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. He stood between them, but he might as well have not been there. He knew this was probably the worst business move he’d ever made. But at least his heart felt right.

“So start tomorrow?” he asked Aden casually

The grin left and Aden pulled a face “Um, actually, I have detention on Saturday” he said to Roman seriously.

“Well that’s a great start” Belle muttered sarcastically

Aden turned back to her “Oh I’m sorry, tell me, how is the newspaper going?” He asked deliberately, stealing the grin from her face.

She stepped back, unimpressed. It was a good point.

“Well, how about you tag along afterwards and help me lock up?” Roman persisted, beginning to realise what he had gotten himself into.

“Alright” Aden agreed readily, any excuse to be away from home would be good enough for him.

[monkeysmoke]

Chapter 20 Once again, please don't be offended by any talk about religion or anything. It's part of the plot etc etc

Chapter 20

Roman watched the pair play pool as he downed the last dregs of his beer. Despite the bickering between them, they were all relaxing and, he felt, having a relatively good time. He had always assumed Belle hated Aden as much as everyone else in Summer Bay, especially considering she lived with Irene, Annie and Geoff. He watched them, they weren’t exactly being sickly sweet to each other, nowhere even close, but their was a vibe coming off of them that Roman recognised, and it baffled him. His thoughts were interrupted by a yellow ball that flew past him.

Aden held a hand to his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter at Belle’s mistake, before responding, “I didn’t realise when you said you were gonna wipe the floor with me at pool you meant you wanted to play on the floor”

Belle’s face flushed slightly as she tried to suppress her embarrassment. She went to pick up the ball she had pinged into the air with the pool cue “You distracted me” She told him plainly as she walked back to the table.

“Oh right” He said, nodding “and all those other shots you missed, that was all me too was it?” He asked her, a slight laugh still evident in his voice.

She glared at him “Fine” she said honestly “So I can’t play pool.”

“You got that right” he quipped, folding his arms at her

“Well, some of us have better things to do then spend all our time in the surf club” she added defensively

He grinned at her relentless pride “Let me guess, helping to host bible meetings in your little house of God?” He leant on the pool cue he held in front of him, staring in to her face. “Why don’t you just admit that you’re a sore loser?”

She stared at him silently for a long time, her hands on her hips. She tried to stop herself from retaliating, from letting him get one over on her, but she was too angry to think of a witty response “God, you’re such a jerk sometimes” She blurted out, kicking herself immediately afterwards. She knew he would be thrilled to know he was getting to her.

“He sure is sweetheart” He replied placing the pool cue on the table. The sarcasm had left his voice, but his smile remained. She opened her mouth to ask what he meant, confused. Then she realised his little play on words. God, you’re a jerk. God you’re a jerk. He was unbelievable.

“You know” she began, placing her pool cue by his “Just because you don’t believe in something, doesn’t mean you have to attack people who do” She stated indignantly, stepping towards him confrontationally.

“In case you’re forgetting, I’m not the one who did the attacking” He corrected her casually, moving away and taking a seat near where Roman stood.

Belle’s face changed then, as though she wanted to say something, but had decided against it. Roman sensed the turn in the conversation “Look guys, I’ve got to be heading off now” he said, grabbing his jacket.

“Yeah I should probably be off too” Belle added, looking at her watch, although clearly she was glad of an excuse to leave the conversation.

Aden’s stomach sank and he tried to compress his disappointment. He hadn’t been too thrilled at the prospect of facing either of them again after what they had witnessed since yesterday, but after the initial interrogation by Roman, things had mellowed, and the events of before had been ignored. He didn’t really know Belle and she clearly didn’t like him much, but she had a spark to her that he respected. He had made some pretty harsh jibes at her about some pretty personal stuff and she had bounced back every time, giving as good as she got. She might not like him, but she didn’t crumple into tears at his words, nor did she try to avoid him or control him. It was refreshing, and lively enough to keep the events of yesterday to the back of his mind. He had really enjoyed their company, and if they left it meant he would have to accept that time was moving forward and dragging him closer towards the things he wasn’t ready to face.

“Right well, what are you up to now mate?” Roman asked, unsure how things were for Aden after yesterday.

Aden shifted in the chair before replying “Oh I’m just gonna hang around here for a bit longer” He tried to sound casual, but his insides were tense.

“Right, well, see you tomorrow then?” Roman asked cautiously, he was reluctant to leave it there, but didn’t want to pry further, especially with other people around.

“Yeah see you then” Aden replied. He had to restrain himself from turning to watch Roman as he walked out the door. He knew if he saw him leave he’d need a beer to stop himself from running out after him.

Belle gathered her bag from the chair next to Aden. He watched her and couldn’t stop his mouth from forming the words “Don’t have too many dreams about me will you sweetheart?” He said cockily.

She stood up, raising her bag over her head “I think you’re confusing dreams with nightmares” She replied sharply, before turning to leave.

Aden sat there staring at the few stragglers who remained at the surf club, wandering what was keeping them away from their homes. He made up stories for each of them to pass the time. It was a game he and his brothers had always played as children on the few occasions that their dad had taken them with him on his drinking escapades. Most bars didn’t allow children, so they would sit and wait in the games room, passing time. A small voice startled him back into the world

“Aden?”

He turned round to see an anxious looking Annie staring down at him from behind with frightened eyes. He turned back to the front, angered by her presence here. This innocent little Christian girl had almost had him thrown in prison, and yet even he felt like he’d already forgiven her for it, which instead of calming him, only infuriated him further.

“What do you want?” he asked gruffly, feeling her presence still lingering behind him awkwardly. She moved round to face him. He looked at her and saw everything that he could never be; A bundle of morality, belief and most notably, innocence. It shone off of her, and the light that reflected onto him only made him feel dirtier than he already did. Just being near her made him feel worthless and he hated it.

“I just wanted to, um, I need to say some...” She was rambling, shaking with fear. It wasn’t that she was scared Aden would do something to her, which was what everyone else feared. It was the way Aden was that scared her. He didn’t seem to care, about anything. He was forthright, he didn’t follow the rules, and he only believed in things that could be proven. He was as convinced that this was all there was to life as strongly as Geoff was convinced there was more to it. Geoff’s unyielding faith had always reassured her own doubts. When she saw Aden all her own doubts were highlighted, and she couldn’t hide from them. In a way she wished he had taken advantage of her. At least then she could believe he was evil and restore her faith in bad and good as separate entities. But ever since she the memories had come back her world had become unbalanced. She wasn’t so certain and assured as she had been.

“Look spit it out will you I haven’t got all day” He sniped at her.

“I just needed to apologise for lying, for what I did to you” the words were staggered. She breathed in, trying to steady herself, before continuing “I was angry, about my granddad dying, and at God, and I got drunk to forget. But when I woke up, and found out you’d helped me, it was easier to blame you then admit what I’d done. I just wanted it all to go away, and I thought it would punish you for what you did to Geoff. But, just because I’m unsure about God, doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s right and wrong. And well, what I did to you was wrong. You were only trying to help me, and I am so sorry Aden” She finished, tears brewing up in her eyes.

Aden had softened slightly as she had rambled on. It wasn’t the apology that got to him, he was affected by how human she had become as she spoke to him. The light dimmed slightly and he could finally see her.

“Forget about it” he said softly, staring down at the table

“Sorry?” Annie asked, shocked at his response

“I said forget it Annie, it’s done alright?” he said, looking up at her for a split second before returning his gaze to the table.

Annie’s mouth gaped open “You forgive me?” She felt surreal

He was starting to get angry again. Why couldn’t she just accept it and leave. What did she want from him? She saw the mood change within him and tried to stop it

“I’m sorry; I just didn’t think you would.” She replied honestly, adding “Nobody else has” trying to rationalise her response.

He stood up, the anger was back and he couldn’t stop it “we both know that’s a lie” He responded bitterly, turning to leave

Annie became agitated again, hugging herself for comfort “I didn’t mean…”

“I know what you meant Annie” He jumped in “You know, for a moment there I thought you’d finally come down off that pedestal of yours, but you haven’t have you? That apology, it wasn’t for me at all. It was for you! So you can be a good little Christian girl again. You wanted me to yell at you so you could paint me as an evil unbelieving monster again! Restore the balance in your perfect little universe, well here you go! Congratulations, you’re redeemed of your sins! So you can run back home and cry to Geoff now!” His voice had slowly risen till he was yelling at her, his arms flying about in front of him.

Annie stood there motionless, trying desperately to hold back the tears. She looked at his face, and wished she could say it wasn’t true. But she couldn’t, because suddenly everything she felt made so much sense. She felt translucent, like everyone except her could see through her. She couldn’t stand his eyes on her anymore as she felt the tears spill down her face, she turned and fled.