11.Bailey
California Dreaming



I have been woken up so many fucking times that by 6 - fuck it. I hobbled myself down for some coffee and then went to sit out on the porch so I didn't stir anyone.

Especially Zacky who was asleep on the couch under a PowerPuff girl blanket.

"Hey kid." Aunt Jan said popping her head out the door. "Found her."

She came and sat beside me, not saying another word - but I knew why she was there.

"I'm fine."

"Okay." She shrugged.

"Really."

"Okay." She laughed nudging me. "Hey, why don't you come inside. Lena is using Zacky as a pillow- it's hilarious. And you know, it makes Jenny and Mike mad."

"Why?"

"Because Zack has piercings and shit." She shrugged. "You know, not a "Christian looking boy." He’s bad news.”

“Yeah and all we’re going to hear about is how we ruined thanksgiving with my “stunt”, I can hear it now.” I sighed. “And he’s not that bad..”

“You shouldn’t let them get to you, they just do it so they can feel like they are better than all of us.” She move my hair behind my ear and was looking at the bruises on my shoulder, neck and arm.

“They are better than me. Look at me.” I said looking down at myself. I had severe bruising all over my body, I was much stiffer today than I was yesterday… I felt like a good gust of wind could knock me on my ass. On a good note my ankle actually only hurt when I put pressure on it, maybe it wasn’t broken after all?

I finished my cup of coffee and looked down at the horses, I was happy to see Spirit out grazing but I knew Pa would make me get rid of him. He had always said taming a wild horse was a stupid idea, he promised that as soon as the horse hurt me – which he said he always knew it would – that it would be gone the next day.

So atleast the last part was wrong, because the horse was still here. Aunt Jan had left so I thought I would get some peace and quiet, I was wrong.

“Hey.” Zack said quietly. He offered me a fresh cup of coffee which I did accept, then awkwardly sat next to me. “I talked to Johnny.”

“Oh.” I said, not really caring if he went on. This was how Johnny was, like I said he’s a good guy but when he drank he was the most hurtful self-centered person you’ll ever meet.
He didn’t continue, instead we drank our coffee in silence for the next few minutes. He checked his phone for a moment before shoving it into his pocket, he looked around and then sighed.

Then I felt him take my hand.

Nothing else, we just sat there holding hands. It was stupid but at the same time it was like all my stress had went away, like my pain went down just a little.

“It’ll be okay, Bailey.” He said quietly. Once we finished our coffee he finally talked me into going back inside, everyone was awake but they were all watching Lena who was showing them some dance moves. She was in a pink tutu and had a small barbie radio that was playing some music, as soon as Zack walked in she motioned for him to join her. She handed him a tiara and told him to follow her lead.

“I have two left feet Lena.” He said jokingly. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Obviously.” She snorted. “Follow me.”

She twirled and did some simple dance moves and ballet tricks, Zack being silly did a twirl and some other ballet moves before falling to the ground – mostly so he could just stop dancing. His eyes caught mine and he smiled before giving the tiara back to Lena and coming to sit by me again.

I didn’t know what was happening between us, what we were… but I wasn’t afraid to find out. I could do anything if Zack was here, I don’t know why he gave me that confidence… but he did.

He knudged me with his leg gently and winked at me as he held a conversation with my uncle for a few minutes, I couldn’t tell what they were saying I was basically just staring at Zack.

I hit my head hard if I think I’m seeing him in an all new light or something… there could never be anything between us, he’s a California boy… and I’m just a small town girl.

His week will be over soon, and he’ll forget about me.

Notes