He wasn't suppose to be there. At least, not until May. They figured he knew that by now but, according to the local news station, he didn't quite get it yet.
"This heat wave just came out of no where," the reporter with a soaked dress shirt explained.
Heat always followed David. He didn't mind, of course. The only time it bugged him was moments like these. Moments when it announced his presence.
"The local community center has opened its' doors to anyone without an AC in this heat," the reporter continued. "It looks like it's here to stay. Back to you, Martin."
David winced and flipped off the TV. He didn't mean for this to happen. It was mid-December and higher than ninety degrees. They would be coming for him soon. This time they wouldn't be as forgiving.
He tried to push these thoughts away from his mind as he stuffed his few possessions into his backpack. His phone buzzed on the old, wood hotel desk. He eyed it without any intention of answering. Once it stopped ringing he slipped it into his front pocket and walked out of the door. She had promised to meet him today. Time was running up.
"You need to calm down, David," his voicemail advised. After leaving the hotel and stepping onto the busy streets, he pressed the phone to his ear to listen to what his dad had left on the recording. "Did you not understand what I told you? This is unavoidable. You will hurt her. You can't be together; it's not possible. Son, please - "
The recording has been cut short and the automated voice asked if he wanted to delete the message. He flipped the phone shut without choosing to save or delete and held his arm up when he saw a taxi.
"Where to?" the driver with a thick beard questioned.
David fingered his backpack strap nervously. It came to his realization he didn't know how to find her.
The taxi driver turned as much as he could in his seat and asked, "Are you alright?"
David nodded and manged to say, "Yes. I'm fine."
"Care to explain why you're dressed in a wool coat while it's ninety degrees outside?"
David looked down his coat with a confused expression. He had forgotten it was on. On his way there he had come up with the idea of fitting in with all the other Chicago residents. Since it was in the dead of winter he had needed a coat. When shopping for one he had forgot to realize the Chicago's winter would cease the second he stepped off the plane.
"Forgot to take it off," he mumbled and started to unbutton the coat. "You wouldn't happen to know where it's the coldest, would you?"
The man gave him a strange look before replying, "Do I look like a weather vane?"
David shrugged and freed himself from the coat.
"Look, kid, you either tell me where you need to go or get out of my cab. I've got a job to do."
"Right, of course. Um, I guess the nearest park?"
The man snorted. "You sure?"
"Yes, of course."
The man sighed before putting the car in gear and pressing the gas. They both were silent the rest of the ride. David looked out the window with interest. He'd spent his whole life in Florida. Nothing but flat earth, palm trees and sand. Coming here revealed a whole new world.
"Here we are," the driver announced, glancing at David through the review mirror. "Fifteen sixty."
David dug out crumbled bills and handed over to him with an order to, "Keep the change."
The second he stepped out the cab - whether those outside noticed it or not - the temperature went up about eight degrees. He bowed his head down in shame when a few people walked by complaining about the weather. He aimlessly started down the sidewalk, avoiding anyone who passed by him. Nothing but his presence could be felt so, he tried to concentrate like his dad had taught him and focus on feeling something else.
"You can't be here," her voice whispered. A small chill filled the air.
He spun around, coming face to face with her. Everything about her appearance last summer was different, but the smile she wore when she saw his face was the same. He made a move to touch her, but she shook head.
"It'll hurt," she explained gently, trying to rid of his hurt look.
"What do you mean?" He laughed and tried to reach for her again.
"Haven't you listened to anything our fathers told us? We can't be together." She looked over her shoulder as though someone were watching. David eyes flickered over too. The only thing he saw were people slowly moving, fanning themselves and sipping from water bottles. Her face looked pained when she turned back to him.
"You can't tell me you believe them?" he asked.
"And you don't?"
"Of course not." The lie escaped his lips so easily because he wanted to believe it. "We're not - "
"Don't," she hissed and made a move to cover his lips. The second her skin touched his it burned the both of them. They pulled away and groaned at the pain.
"I told you." She rubbed her burned fingers against her bare thigh. "It's not summer anymore, David. We can't cover our tracks. Wherever we go people will know. I-I can't even touch you without hurting you."
"It's not your fault," he assured. His lips had definitely taking the worst part of the touch. The coldness of her hands were unbearable. He licked his lips carefully in an attempt to warm them up faster.
"You're stronger than I am," she admitted and gestured around them. "It hurts that you're here."
His eyebrows furrowed with worry. It was hurting her? That hadn't been something his dad explained.
"The voicemail," David whispered and mentally kicked himself. His dad had warned him.
"What?"
"My dad said I would... hurt you." He sighed in despair. "I never meant to. I'm so sorry. I didn't think he was serious. They just want me home."
She nodded. "You have to go."
"I just wanted to see you. They never talk about what happened. I had to see you."
She gave him a wobbly smile. "I know. I wanted to see you too but I'm not as brave."
He took his had to resist the urge to reach out and pull her against him. He wanted to touch her skin without feeling pain. He wanted to hold her and not be the one putting them both in danger. He wanted to be selfish and have her to himself.
"It's not summer anymore," she reminded him gently. "We have to grow up."
The two teens smiled a bit at each other. Those words had been constantly thrown at them last summer by their parents or anyone that felt they needed the reminder.
"I want you gone by the time I turn around," she ordered with a teasing smile.
He nodded, remembering the game. She would count to ten and if he was completely out of sight he'd win.
"Only if you promise to not forget," he challenged.
She gave him one last smile as a 'yes' and spun on her heel. Her voice was low as she counted. David backed away slowly, wondering if this was the right decision. Would he be able to just abandon her? He almost stopped moving when he heard the quivering of her voice when she reached the halfway point. The phone in his pocket started to buzz and brought him back to reality. With one last look at her back he took a detour onto one of the park's many trails, completely out of her view.
"Yes," he answered the phone in a defeated tone.
"Do you know what you're doing?" his dad hissed.
"I'm sorry."
"You could have gotten both of you killed. I thought you were smarter than that."
David paused for a second to catch his breath. "I love her."
"Loved, David. She's different now."
He shook his head. "No. She may look different, but she's still the same."
"Listen," his dad replied. His voice was more gentle now that he knew his son close to breaking. "I know how you feel. Nothing makes sense right now. You're changing and everyone around you is changing. It's not going to get easier; I won't lie. I'm also not lying when I say the faster you let her go, the faster you'll feel like yourself again."
David reached his hand up to to cover his eyes. His chest heaved up and down in the attempt to keep his emotions under control.
"You have to stay calm, David." His dad sensed the confusion and rage David felt. "The more emotional you get the more the heat turns up. You have a job now."
"I don't want it." He clenched the phone tightly.
"You don't have a choice. Neither of you have a choice."
A pair of joggers sped by David. He turned his back so they couldn't see the expression on his face. His breathing slowed after a few silent minutes. His father chuckled on the other end. The sound made David frown in confusion.
"You're just like me," his dad explained.
David ignored the statement and instead asked, "Will I ever see her?"
"It's not possible, David. You saw what happened today, didn't you?"
"There has to be another way. It wasn't suppose to be like this."
"No, it wasn't, but it is. Come home, David." His dad paused with a desperate sigh and added, "Please."
"Okay," he whispered into the phone. "I'll catch the next flight out."
"That's my boy."
David shut the phone and glanced over his shoulder. If he retraced his steps he could probably catch up to her. He could convince her that there was another way. They didn't have to do what their parents wanted. They didn't have to be who everyone wanted them to be. She would probably listen. She loved him as much as he did her.
His heart urged him to go back, but his mind told him there was nothing left for him. She had been right. They wouldn't be able to cover their tracks when they were together. It was time for him to wake up. David walked forward and promised himself he wouldn't look back. He would have to grow up. He would do what he was told because they needed him. Time was up and summer was over.
"This heat wave just came out of no where," the reporter with a soaked dress shirt explained.
Heat always followed David. He didn't mind, of course. The only time it bugged him was moments like these. Moments when it announced his presence.
"The local community center has opened its' doors to anyone without an AC in this heat," the reporter continued. "It looks like it's here to stay. Back to you, Martin."
David winced and flipped off the TV. He didn't mean for this to happen. It was mid-December and higher than ninety degrees. They would be coming for him soon. This time they wouldn't be as forgiving.
He tried to push these thoughts away from his mind as he stuffed his few possessions into his backpack. His phone buzzed on the old, wood hotel desk. He eyed it without any intention of answering. Once it stopped ringing he slipped it into his front pocket and walked out of the door. She had promised to meet him today. Time was running up.
"You need to calm down, David," his voicemail advised. After leaving the hotel and stepping onto the busy streets, he pressed the phone to his ear to listen to what his dad had left on the recording. "Did you not understand what I told you? This is unavoidable. You will hurt her. You can't be together; it's not possible. Son, please - "
The recording has been cut short and the automated voice asked if he wanted to delete the message. He flipped the phone shut without choosing to save or delete and held his arm up when he saw a taxi.
"Where to?" the driver with a thick beard questioned.
David fingered his backpack strap nervously. It came to his realization he didn't know how to find her.
The taxi driver turned as much as he could in his seat and asked, "Are you alright?"
David nodded and manged to say, "Yes. I'm fine."
"Care to explain why you're dressed in a wool coat while it's ninety degrees outside?"
David looked down his coat with a confused expression. He had forgotten it was on. On his way there he had come up with the idea of fitting in with all the other Chicago residents. Since it was in the dead of winter he had needed a coat. When shopping for one he had forgot to realize the Chicago's winter would cease the second he stepped off the plane.
"Forgot to take it off," he mumbled and started to unbutton the coat. "You wouldn't happen to know where it's the coldest, would you?"
The man gave him a strange look before replying, "Do I look like a weather vane?"
David shrugged and freed himself from the coat.
"Look, kid, you either tell me where you need to go or get out of my cab. I've got a job to do."
"Right, of course. Um, I guess the nearest park?"
The man snorted. "You sure?"
"Yes, of course."
The man sighed before putting the car in gear and pressing the gas. They both were silent the rest of the ride. David looked out the window with interest. He'd spent his whole life in Florida. Nothing but flat earth, palm trees and sand. Coming here revealed a whole new world.
"Here we are," the driver announced, glancing at David through the review mirror. "Fifteen sixty."
David dug out crumbled bills and handed over to him with an order to, "Keep the change."
The second he stepped out the cab - whether those outside noticed it or not - the temperature went up about eight degrees. He bowed his head down in shame when a few people walked by complaining about the weather. He aimlessly started down the sidewalk, avoiding anyone who passed by him. Nothing but his presence could be felt so, he tried to concentrate like his dad had taught him and focus on feeling something else.
"You can't be here," her voice whispered. A small chill filled the air.
He spun around, coming face to face with her. Everything about her appearance last summer was different, but the smile she wore when she saw his face was the same. He made a move to touch her, but she shook head.
"It'll hurt," she explained gently, trying to rid of his hurt look.
"What do you mean?" He laughed and tried to reach for her again.
"Haven't you listened to anything our fathers told us? We can't be together." She looked over her shoulder as though someone were watching. David eyes flickered over too. The only thing he saw were people slowly moving, fanning themselves and sipping from water bottles. Her face looked pained when she turned back to him.
"You can't tell me you believe them?" he asked.
"And you don't?"
"Of course not." The lie escaped his lips so easily because he wanted to believe it. "We're not - "
"Don't," she hissed and made a move to cover his lips. The second her skin touched his it burned the both of them. They pulled away and groaned at the pain.
"I told you." She rubbed her burned fingers against her bare thigh. "It's not summer anymore, David. We can't cover our tracks. Wherever we go people will know. I-I can't even touch you without hurting you."
"It's not your fault," he assured. His lips had definitely taking the worst part of the touch. The coldness of her hands were unbearable. He licked his lips carefully in an attempt to warm them up faster.
"You're stronger than I am," she admitted and gestured around them. "It hurts that you're here."
His eyebrows furrowed with worry. It was hurting her? That hadn't been something his dad explained.
"The voicemail," David whispered and mentally kicked himself. His dad had warned him.
"What?"
"My dad said I would... hurt you." He sighed in despair. "I never meant to. I'm so sorry. I didn't think he was serious. They just want me home."
She nodded. "You have to go."
"I just wanted to see you. They never talk about what happened. I had to see you."
She gave him a wobbly smile. "I know. I wanted to see you too but I'm not as brave."
He took his had to resist the urge to reach out and pull her against him. He wanted to touch her skin without feeling pain. He wanted to hold her and not be the one putting them both in danger. He wanted to be selfish and have her to himself.
"It's not summer anymore," she reminded him gently. "We have to grow up."
The two teens smiled a bit at each other. Those words had been constantly thrown at them last summer by their parents or anyone that felt they needed the reminder.
"I want you gone by the time I turn around," she ordered with a teasing smile.
He nodded, remembering the game. She would count to ten and if he was completely out of sight he'd win.
"Only if you promise to not forget," he challenged.
She gave him one last smile as a 'yes' and spun on her heel. Her voice was low as she counted. David backed away slowly, wondering if this was the right decision. Would he be able to just abandon her? He almost stopped moving when he heard the quivering of her voice when she reached the halfway point. The phone in his pocket started to buzz and brought him back to reality. With one last look at her back he took a detour onto one of the park's many trails, completely out of her view.
"Yes," he answered the phone in a defeated tone.
"Do you know what you're doing?" his dad hissed.
"I'm sorry."
"You could have gotten both of you killed. I thought you were smarter than that."
David paused for a second to catch his breath. "I love her."
"Loved, David. She's different now."
He shook his head. "No. She may look different, but she's still the same."
"Listen," his dad replied. His voice was more gentle now that he knew his son close to breaking. "I know how you feel. Nothing makes sense right now. You're changing and everyone around you is changing. It's not going to get easier; I won't lie. I'm also not lying when I say the faster you let her go, the faster you'll feel like yourself again."
David reached his hand up to to cover his eyes. His chest heaved up and down in the attempt to keep his emotions under control.
"You have to stay calm, David." His dad sensed the confusion and rage David felt. "The more emotional you get the more the heat turns up. You have a job now."
"I don't want it." He clenched the phone tightly.
"You don't have a choice. Neither of you have a choice."
A pair of joggers sped by David. He turned his back so they couldn't see the expression on his face. His breathing slowed after a few silent minutes. His father chuckled on the other end. The sound made David frown in confusion.
"You're just like me," his dad explained.
David ignored the statement and instead asked, "Will I ever see her?"
"It's not possible, David. You saw what happened today, didn't you?"
"There has to be another way. It wasn't suppose to be like this."
"No, it wasn't, but it is. Come home, David." His dad paused with a desperate sigh and added, "Please."
"Okay," he whispered into the phone. "I'll catch the next flight out."
"That's my boy."
David shut the phone and glanced over his shoulder. If he retraced his steps he could probably catch up to her. He could convince her that there was another way. They didn't have to do what their parents wanted. They didn't have to be who everyone wanted them to be. She would probably listen. She loved him as much as he did her.
His heart urged him to go back, but his mind told him there was nothing left for him. She had been right. They wouldn't be able to cover their tracks when they were together. It was time for him to wake up. David walked forward and promised himself he wouldn't look back. He would have to grow up. He would do what he was told because they needed him. Time was up and summer was over.
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