Free Falling by Tonya Shepard

Allie and Connor jog over to me and tell me they are heading over to the Rocko-Planes, a ride like the Ferris wheel but the compartments turn upside down. Allie loves it, while it makes me sick just looking at it. 
    “You guys go on and have a good time, my stomach is still a little unsettled.  I think I will just sit here and wait on you." I say as I hold my stomach to prove the lie.
    “Abby, you sure you are okay to stay? I would be happy to take you guys home,” Connor offers. Allie looks worried that I am going to make her leave.
    “No, I will be fine sitting here. You two go on and ride." Connor still looks unsure but leaves with Allie . While they are gone, I watch people to take my mind off what happened earlier. I see couples walking by holding hands and kissing. I want that with someone, and now I have no options at all. Blake was never really an option because of Connor. My thoughts are interrupted when someone collapses onto the bench beside me and bumps into my shoulder.
    “Allie went to get some cotton candy. Abby, what is going on? You look so sad,” Connor asks in such a sweet voice. I can’t possible tell him the truth so I continue to glance anywhere but at him.
    “Nothing at all, I am just not feeling so well. Look, I really appreciate you helping me out with Allie. I know it ruined your evening,” I reply. 
    “Are you kidding? You saved me. I was just going to Charlie’s with friends. Samantha was especially annoying tonight. You saved me from that,” He says as he bumps my shoulder again.
    “Well, it is getting late, so I think I am going to go find Allie and take off. Thanks again,” I say as I push off the bench.  Before I can take two steps, Connor has me by the arm turning me towards him.
    “Something is wrong with you, and I want to know what it is. You might not be feeling well, but there is something else wrong. You won’t even look me in the eye. Did I do something to make you upset?”
    I look at Connor and at that moment the pain is just too much. “I overheard you talking to Samantha. I guess I didn’t realize just how repulsive you found me, but now I know, so I will stay out of your way." I turn to leave but Connor is still holding on to my arm. He tightens his hand around my arm when I start to pull away.
    “Repulsive? Abby, what are you talking about? I find you about as far from repulsive as possible. “
    “I heard what you said to Samantha about me.” I say as I try to pull my arm out of his grasp. He pulls me towards him and grabs me around the waist. I have to get out of here or I am going to humiliate myself further by sobbing in front of him. I push against his chest as I continue to struggle to escape his hold.
    “Abby, please listen to me. I didn’t mean it. Let me explain,” he begs. He catches my hands against his chest.
    “Connor, please let go of me. I need to find Allie. I want you to leave me alone,” I say in such a cold voice that he releases his hold on me. As I walk away from him, I know my heart is completed trampled.
     
    **********
     
    I haven’t left the house since Allie and I returned from the fall festival. When my mom and dad got home Friday, my mom checked on me.  She knew I had been crying because of my puffy eyes. She wanted me to talk to her, but I couldn’t, the pain was still too close to the surface. She hovered the whole weekend, which under normal circumstances, I would have loved.
    I talked to Leah several times and she knew something is wrong, too. I just don’t know how much to tell her. I might have to break down and tell her, just to get it off my chest. Connor has also called several times, but I have avoided those calls like the plague.
    On Sunday night, I am sitting on my bed reading, hoping that Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot would take my mind off of things. I hear a knock on my door.
    “Abby, can I come in,” my mom asks as she peeks her head in the door. I nod and she comes and sits on my bed beside me.