Page 4 of Forever Cursed

Rome

Ineed a break.

Wait, let me fix that.

I’veneededa break since the end of last football season. While keeping up with my workout routine is easy, I need a break from the drills, memorizing plays, and all the hits on the field. My brain is exhausted, too; classes last semester were rough. I don’t have any concerns about not being drafted into the NFL before I graduate. Still, any smart player has a backup plan, and mine is history.

I’ve always been fascinated by history, particularly the American Revolution. My fifth-grade teacher, Mr. P, made learning interactive and fun. We ran missions like the colonials and pretended to sneak past the English army. I love football, so I’ll play until my body demands I quit. After that, I’ll teach history and aim to be a great teacher like Mr. P.

When Ash asked if I wanted to join the crew at the beach for Gwen’s birthday, I was all in. I adore Gwen Roman. She carried Ash out of the darkness of his mind. She showed him what love is and cared for him even when he lost faith in himself. If I could find someone like her, my life would be complete.

With a sigh, I drop all my dark thoughts and focus on the sign straight ahead.

Finding parking is easy. The beach that Ash praised up and down is supposedly always deserted, and I’m thankful he was right. I park next to him and pick up my phone to call him.

“Hey, are you here?” Ash asks, answering the phone within the first ring.

“Yeah, but I’m gonna need you to find me. I see your car, but not you,” I say while gathering my things.

“We walked a bit farther down. Walk past the ice cream stand, and I’ll be right there.”

“Sounds good.”

We hang up at the same time. Ash and I were close in high school. We’ve gotten close again since Zack brought him to the pavilion last September. Zack and I have always been friends. Our friendship is effortless. He’s the kind of guy who will defend you until his dying breath.

Zack and I bonded in high school. We were partnered up during a science experiment. Mistake number one: We were complete goofballs and failed not only that project but the class. Ever since then, we’ve been best friends. He knows what happened with my mom, but I don’t think he sees how it affects me to this day.

I was happy when I found out we were attending the same university, but over the years, we drifted apart. We didn’t see much of one another until last year, and we snapped back together.

After locking up my car, I step onto the pier and walk down the withered planks. I hear her before I see her. Chrissy has a signature giggle—high-pitched and always filled with excitement. She’s a literal ray of sunshine, a bubble of explosive energy. Her smile could light up a room that’s only ever known darkness.

She’s always been beautiful, but I didn’t notice until last November. She was hunched over a psychology textbook, her nose wrinkled in deep thought. Her pen flickered away as she pondered over whatever thought ran wild in her head. I sat across from her in the library, but she didn’t notice me until I spoke up.

“What’s up, bubbles?” Since I met her, she’s reminded me of Bubbles fromThe Powerpuff Girls. Always so kind, energetic, and sweet.

“What do you think of Piaget’s theory?” she asked.

“I can’t handle big words,” I said with a small chuckle.

She grinned back, blushing, and she giggled.

I was done for. We exchanged numbers shortly after, and I’ve walked around with Chrissy in my heart for months, but nothing can happen.

So, when she appears in my line of sight, I push down any butterflies that attempt to emerge from the depths of my stomach. I put on my game face and meet Ash a few more feet down the beach. When he loses his footing, I can’t help but laugh.

“I think Gwen’s clumsiness is rubbing off on you.” I smirk as I slip my sandals off and step into the hot sand.

“It could be worse,” he says with a shrug. “Look at your hair!” He messes my hair with his hand, wearing the widest smile I’ve ever seen from him.

“Had to look morepro,” I say with air quotes. That, and I was tired of combing through the tangles and sweat after every game.

“Remember me when you make it big. I kept and still keep you fed.”

“I also get the feeling Max may sue me for eating his fancy yogurt.”

Shrill laughter and squeals pierce the air as we near Gwen and Chrissy. I can’t help but grin when we find Chrissy and Gwen swatting at one another.

“I was only gone for five minutes,” Ash sighs while running his hand through his hair.

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