Free Trouble by P.L. Jenkins Page B

as I sit there and smoke the cigarette. I need to be okay, because I was going to see him considering we did hang out with same crowd and Ashley is with Gage, who seems to be extra close to him. I head for the beach; I need to clear my head before facing him. I know I’m chicken shit, but I confessed my love for him and shut the door in his face.
                  “Hey Lannie.” I look over to see him. Ugh this was unfair. He held up a plate and sets it on the sand next to me with a drink and walks away. I look down at the food not hungry then look back at the ocean. It’s so pretty. I did live in a pretty state. I yawned, feeling still not rested. I lay back and let the sun beat down on me. It was around three in the afternoon and it wasn’t even hot. 
                  “Lannie, there you are.” I look up to see Ashley staring over me.
                  “Hey, what time is it?” I sit up and Gage was with her. I am not ready to leave.
                  “It’s about six, you fell asleep and we didn’t want to wake up. You’re lucky you don’t burn. Anyways Gage and I are leaving. You ready?” I look down and notice that I wasn’t even red.
                  “No, I want to stay. You go ahead I will text or call if I need anything.” They nod while walking away. I turn my attention back to the ocean. The waves are splashing on my feet.
                  “I am sorry. You don’t have to turn around, just listen. Then I will walk away forever. I know it was stupid to talk to you outside of the party. I know it was even dumber for me to take you to my house. Or showing up there the next day. Or at the airport. I truly want to believe that I am not in love with you after that weekend. I want to so bad, but I can’t. I saw a side of you that weekend that I’ve never seen before. You were sad, hurt, and needing help, but didn’t want to burden anyone with it. I saw the light in the eyes at school start to disappear. I for so long had been in search of answers. My brother dyeing in a car wreck was the most painful thing I have ever been through. I am thankful my parents didn’t have to go through it. They were dead for a few years. He was all I had. I even taught at a different school so it wouldn’t conflict with him. He was the light of my life and now he is gone.  The first day of school when I bumped into you, there was something in your eyes that I saw. I am not sure what it was, but it was there I see it from time to time. Before you speak. Lannie you are a wonderful girl. Please don’t lose insight of that.” He stood there as I had tears streaming down my face.
                  “J, what was your brother’s name?” I know the answer there were too many similarities in the two, not to be him.
                  “Chad. Chad Douglas Jones.” I turn behind me to stare at him as he looks down at me.
                  “I was afraid of that. What happened that night? Of the wreck?” I know some but some pieces are blurred out. He sits down next to me putting his feet in the water.
                  “Well I remember like it was yesterday. He begged me all morning and all during school, through text, that he really wanted to go see this girl. I said no with it being a school night. He begged. Until after school. He came home saying he wanted to break up with her. She wasn’t in it for the long run. I laughed at him because I was like you. You are doing the same thing. Well he left. He texts me saying he loved me, but he had to go. A few hours later the officer called me told me he was involved in a car wreck and was rushed to the hospital, and that there was a girl with him who had no ID asking if I knew her. I didn’t though. I threw on my shoes and rushed to the hospital. By time I reached him he was dead. I cried and cried. The girl that was with him though she was incredible. When I asked