One and Only

The Beach

I'm sorry that this was kind of a late update but I didn't have the time with the new year and all. But I hope you had a great new year!! Please vote and comment!

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One and Only

Chapter 2 - The Beach

I finally got home around ten or so. Unfortunately, the whole way back had not been a walk in the park. Stepping through the wooden door, I instantly realized that I needed to call my mom before she got worried. Being a construction worker had taken her out of town for a week. Sometimes, she would be gone for weeks. Though always out more than in, I still love her, and I don't blame her for constantly being out of sight. My dad had left us when I was six for another woman. Ever since, I'd resented him for ruining our small family. In a way, I was glad that I don't have to hear them fight practically everyday anymore.

I shook my head, pushing myself out of the past. Heaving a sigh, I was relieved she wasn't home right now. She wouldn't ever know what happened this treacherous night.

I picked the phone up to call her and dialed her number, which was ingrained in my memory from the countless times I had asked her how to make a specific food.

When the phone stopped ringing, her unnaturally small, scared voice answered, "Hello? Jade? Sweetie, I'm so glad you finally called back! I was getting worried. I thought something happened to you! Do you know how many times I tried calling you? Why didn't you pick up?"

"I'm really sorry mom. I was...I was just...reading and got carried away. And my phone was on silent, so I didn't notice." I knew I was a terrible liar, so I clenched my teeth together to stop myself from babbling anything else. She didn't need to know what happened to me. She already had a lot to concern herself over.

"But I also called the home phone. Didn't you hear the phone ring?" She sounded suspicious, the onslaught of questions was enough evidence.

I rubbed my sweaty palms against my dirty, tattered jeans and gulped, "I was at the grocery store. I wanted to make spaghetti, but we didn't have the sauce for it. I also got some other things we might need." This part was actually true; it was how I even ended up in the dark alley. Of course, I didn't have any of it anymore, but I could just get it again before she came back.

"Oh. Okay."

"How's work?" I tried to change the subject.

"Oh, the usual. We have most of the building done, but since most workers don't live here, we divided it into parts. The part we're supposed to be doing this week is halfway done. Everyone's been putting in extra hours so it gets done faster. Don't worry, sweetie, I'll be home before school starts."

"I hope it gets done quickly. It's really...different being here." I detected a minuscule amount of fear that leaked into my voice.

My heart thudded and I hoped she was too busy to notice. Her next words made me relax instantly. She probably just thought I thought the place was a bit creepy. "It's okay. Explore the place while I'm not there. Have some fun. Don't lock yourself up in your room and just read. Go to the beach! We're just ten minutes away from it! Well...it depends on the traffic."

"I guess I'll go tomorrow..." I wasn't so sure if I wanted to.

"Good. Well I'll talk to you tomorrow, maybe."

"Wait! Mom?"

"Yeah?"

"How do you get rid of cuts and bruises quickly?" I hesitated, not wanting to give too much away.