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~ Day Dreams ~
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~ Chapter Thirty Eight ~
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~ Chasing Red ~
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~ Nineteen-Years-Old ~
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~ Jake's POV ~
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Over the course of Summer break, I have not associated with my mother. It has been freeing to finally breathe knowing that I am not being breathed on the back of my neck by my mother anymore. I did get into contact with my father but I do not desire to know him for what he put me and my mother through. I still care and love my mother and always will but I need distance and space to breathe in peace. Being dependent on myself does have its perks. But there is still someone holding me captive... Chanel.

Today is the last day of Summer break, so just about the whole school is at the beach partying. I, on the other hand, was working a shift with Ash on flag patrol. I am not the party type of guy so working was not so bad for me. But Chanel on the other hand hated the fact that I was not giving her enough attention.

"I hate that you have to work and don't get to spend time with me," Chanel said, eyes glued to her phone and glancing towards me every so often.

"I like working, it clears my head," I said, searching for danger in the waters, noticing a thunderstorm swirling in the distance. Once I tear my eyes away from the ocean, I scope out the beach but my eyes unknowingly wander for Summer. Is she here? The last time I saw her I almost kissed her and then I spilled out feelings for her to my mother. I wonder if Summer feels the same way as I do?

"Jake, why aren't you listening to me," Chanel demands with a grunt, "You have been working all Summer and you haven't bothered to see me. Like at all," she wines in a baby-like voice.

I peel my eyes away from the wild crowd of people and look at my girlfriend who I have never loved. How do I tell Chanel the truth? Just come out and tell her, God damnit. I want to break up! It's easy, just tell her and all your troubles will be gone... right?

"Woo party—" a male stranger calls from amongst the group of people around Chanel and me, bringing me back from my wandering thoughts.

"Whatever," Chanel sighs underneath her breath and spins around, her back facing me. Chanel's dirty, bleached blonde hair whips me in the face and walks away as her voice fades from the distance. "I don't have time for this crap."

Damnit! What is wrong with me? I cannot even tell the girl that I am supposed to be in love with that I am not in love with her. I am so stupid. I am acting like a jerk. Why am I so out of sorts?

"Dude, dude, dude," Ash calls from behind.

"What, what, what," I say, spinning around, back facing the ocean, confronting Ash with flushed cheeks.

"I just asked Brooklyn out again and guess what she said—" Ash said with dark brown eyes.

"What," I said with a smirk.

"She in fact said maybe again," Ash's smile is a ten-mile radius across his still red face. "She's playing hard to get. She digs me for sure."

"That is great, I think..." I trail off still searching for Summer in the distance.

"You good, dude?" Ash rests his elbow on my shoulder.

"Yeah, nah, all good," I lie. I am definitely losing it...

"You sure, because I know that face after Chanel talks to you and it's not a pretty look."

"You saying I'm not pretty? I'm offended..." I pretend and avoid the real reason as to why I am feeling out of sorts. Ash knows me too well so he can see straight through my lies.

"Woah, I mean, you're like the prettiest dude here, for sure," Ash laughs, surrendering his arms to his chest, "Anyway, on a more serious note. You should take your break because mine is over now and by the looks of it, you need it more than me." Ash said with concern in his eyes and dropping his arms to his sides. "You have been working nonstop lately without any breaks so you should go take one, bro."

I breathe a defeated sigh, "Thanks man, but I think we should start evacuating the beach because that storm looks bad and will cause deadly riptides."

"Yeah, alright. As long as you're good?" Ash said with concern still in his eyes.

"Yeah, man. I'm peachy. You take the right end of the beach," I said, still facing the opposite direction of the ocean, and point to the right of me. "I will take the left end of the beach and then we will meet up in the middle," I point to the left of me then drop both of my arms to me sides. Ash nods and both of us wander in opposite directions to inform everyone to leave the premise because of the storm.

"Sorry, I have to get you all to leave the premises because of the oncoming storm. It's not safe," I say to strangers and fellow classmates around me.

"I have to get you all to leave due to the oncoming storm..." I said my voice trailing off as I notice a girl with red hair next to Honey and Jordan, Summer's friends. "It's not safe. You must leave." I said to the strangers and begin my journey towards a willow tree full of many childhood memories. There are too many memories and it hurts and pains me.

I must be dreaming... right? I am seeing things! Maybe Ash was right! I am too exhausted and that is why I am imagining a girl who no longer exists but only in a dark fantasy of mine.

Legs do not give in to exhaustion and eyes never leave the girl with red hair. It cannot be her, so why am I chasing her? Do not say her name...! Hazel, dammit... I miss you so much but I know it cannot be you. You no longer shine in this world but I know you continue to shine in mine in spirit.

Swallowing a lump at the back of my throat, I stand tall and straighten my shoulders and amble towards the mystery girl with red hair. My bare feet sink into the dry sand as they pick up speed and sand scatters behind me.

Out of nowhere, a hand grabs my arm as their long nails dig into the skin. "Jake, where are you going?" Chanel said and narrows her face up at me.

Chanel is tall with long legs and was almost eye level but I am still taller, however, when I am with Summer it feels different. I tower over Summer because of her tiny build but I love the feeling that I can protect her.

"Nell hey, I'm helping everyone to evacuate," I said as casually as I can muster, "I will meet you at your dorm later."

"Whatever. And what the hell has gotten into you lately? You're ditching me for the 'charity case' and her 'charity case' friends aren't you?" Chanel said, rolling her eyes.

"Look, I got to go. We'll talk later," I said and continue my journey towards the willow tree.

"What the hell," Chanel scoffs behind me and stomps her feet in the sand.

"Hey Honey, Jordan wait up," I call over to the gang but realizing the mystery girl with red hair was nowhere to be seen.

"Jake, what a surprise to see you..." Jordan said, trailing off, "Okay, bye," Jordan grabs his belongings and walks away.

"What's up with him?" I ask Honey as she too gathers her belongings and avoids eye contact with me.

"Ah, stomach cramps. Jordan had too much ice-cream," Honey said, still avoiding my gaze. "I got to run too, later dude."

"Wait up, who was that girl before with red hair?" I ask Honey, finally looking me in the eye.

"Um... no one really, they were only looking for directions," Honey said, her eyes dropping towards her leather black boots.

"Okay, thanks. And 'Survival 101' practice begins this weekend," I said as Honey looks up from her shoes and fixes her fallen glasses from the bridge of her nose. "Also tell Summer swimming practice begins this weekend as well."

With that encounter, Honey nods and departs, as do I and with the image of the mystery girl with red hair vividly in my mind. However, I am still wondering how to approach Summer when I see her next? She did not show today which I am okay with that because I am positive it will still be awkward but awkward is a good thing and should be embraced... right? Will Summer show or avoid? Because I scared her away with that almost kiss... Jake, you need to stop thinking about Summer and come up with a plan to break up with Chanel...

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Over the last couple of weeks, Summer never shows up for swim practice and to come I think of it, I have not seen her since our last encounter. Maybe I did chase Summer away from me... did I really?

All the while waiting for Summer not to show, I have been chasing red for weeks. A mystery girl with red hair reminding me of a past life, wandering around the narrow hallways in search of her. I never get close enough to see her face and if I follow her around the corner she is gone the next.

I am starting to feel like a stalker but I only want to talk and get the comfort I need to move on from my past life. Something is tugging me towards this mystery girl and I must find out why...?

In the common room, I study within my lonesome on the old, outdated lounge. Distracting me from my thoughts, Ash rushes through the open doors, panting his ass off.

"What's up, Ash. You good?" I said dropping the textbook onto the coffee table in the middle of the room.

"Yo dude," Ash takes a deep breath, "I need to tell you something," Ash pauses but containing himself and paces around the carpet of the room. "But I don't know how..."

"Ash, you can't leave me hanging," Ocean blue eyes follow Ash with every movement he makes. "It can't be that bad, can it?"

"Well, it's pretty bad," Ash stops in his tracks and glances at me, "Chanel cheated on you, bro. I saw it."

"Really? I guess I'm surprised it took this long. I have been avoiding her lately and considering breaking up with her anyway," I said with a tired expression.

"Bro, I love you like a brother, but there is nothing to consider with that thing," Ash motions with his hands in the air, "You deserve way better than that, dude."

"Thanks for telling me, Ash, but I would like to be alone if that is okay?"

"Yeah, dude. Catch you later, bro," Ash said, leaving the room without another word.

Ash is right, I deserve better. But my feelings for Chanel were long gone before Summer came into the picture. I have to stop thinking about Summer, it is making it harder and harder to breathe without her. No, I should think about her. I love her and nothing, and I mean nothing, is getting in my way... I need answers. The only two people I can get answers from are Honey and Jordan. I need to confront them alone to get the story straight.

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Please, tell me in the comments what you thought about Chapter Thirty Eight? 🙈 I'll be greatly appreciated, thank you, you very kind soul!
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~ Chapter Thirty Eight ~
~ Dedications ~
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HeliiBoh
DebMorey
PeterPetruzzella
CaitlinWoodward9
DaniJones_14
ChloeMayerhofer
savvvy1998
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You guys should totally check out PeterPetruzzella short story! Lighthouse. It's amazing!
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You guys should totally check out ChloeMayerhofer story! Fallen! It's awesome!
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C.Morey 🥕 xoxo
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