Howie and I both looked at each other, listening closely. I have no idea what made the high pitched noise. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know. But, once the strange squealing noise turned into two girls cracking up…I knew one of them had made the screech. My money…was on cutie…she seems like the squealing type.
“What did those girls get themselves into?”
“Like I fuckin’ know?” Why does he always ask me stupid ass questions? Am I standing next to the girls? Do I have super human sight? No? No? I didn’t think so. Just as we started heading toward the sounds, of the commotion, Kris came running out of the trees, completely covered in mud and laughing her ass off.
“Eew! Eew..ew..ew! Gross! I’m all nasty now!” By the way she was running, you’d think she was covered in flesh eating fire ants and desperately trying to get them off…wait…do fire ants even eat flesh? You know what…it doesn’t matter…you get the damn point. Her hands were trying to wipe off the mud while her hips wiggled around. The chick was grossed out by mud?
“Don’t go trying to wash off in the damn ocean! There might be those little fuckin’ jelly thing-a-ma-jigs in there.” Well damn…that statement made me sound like a genius, didn’t it? She stopped and turned around to look at me like I had flipped my lid.
“You mean…jellyfish?” One of those perfectly manicured eyebrows arched up. Yep. She was thinking I’m a damn moron for not knowing the name of the fuckin’ things. But I did know…I just…forgot…you know what…forget it…you ain’t in no damn position to judge!
“What the hell ever. You know what I mean, damnit.”
“Look. AJ. We’ve already been in this water…remember? When we came ashore? And furthermore, I am not…I repeat…not going to be walking around…covered in mud. I feel yucky!” Shuddering her shoulders, for effect, she turned her back to me and walked into the water…but she was only up to her knees, so far. “But I’ll tell you what…if I get stung by jellyfish and die…I give you permission to eat me. Kay?”
“Ha! Hate ta break it to ya, darlin’…but the only women I eat…are alive…and trust me…even on this deserted island…with no other choices…there’s no way you’re even gonna make it on that list.” Maybe that was harsh. I’m not really that shallow, ok? But you gotta understand…
*SLAP* “Jerk!” Yeah…I deserved that. I’m not even gonna deny it…it’d be a waste of my breath. But that shit stung like a bitch!
“FUCK!” I rubbed my cheek and watched her bound into the water, squealing that it was cold. Cutie had a good arm…and she got me right below my black eye. I hate getting slapped by women, but I guess all men do. It’s like…degrading and it bruises the ego a fair bit, too.
“You deserved that.” That would be Howie…always the first to point out my fuck ups and rub ‘em in my face. Thanks a lot. Some best friend, huh?
“No shit, captain obvious. Damnit, that hurt!” I sent a glare her way, although it went unnoticed since she was too busy washing off the ‘yucky’ mud. Who, over the age of five, even says ‘yucky’? Whatever. I really need to learn how to just ignore her. She’s one of those chicks that isn’t too bad, to look at…but safer, if you just keep your damn distance. What a psycho.
“Ass hole.” Well, at least Resa didn’t slap me. That was a plus. Honestly, I was kind of expecting her to.
“Yeah. Thank a bunch. You’re a real peach.” I was SO done dealing with them. Screw ‘em…well…not literally, of course.
“Peaches don’t grow in bunches. Technically.” Nice. Cutie is annoying AND likes to get all technical. Kevin does that shit…not that I’ve seen him in like…forever. We always say that we all still keep in touch and whatever…but that’s only sorta true. I mean…the guy hasn’t even met the woman I’m supposed to fuckin’ marry and I haven’t actually spoken to him in…probably…like a year, or so.
“Yeah…how about you ask me if I even fuckin’ care?”
“How about we walk this way, hm?” And now I’m being dragged away by Mr. Stumpy here. Now is one of those moments that I curse myself for letting D get buffer, than me. I gotta hand it to him…shorty has descent muscle. I’m just scrawny…not that Rochelle…or any other woman…has ever complained. You don’t gotta have muscle to…you know what…how about we don’t talk about my skills in bed, hm? It’s not exactly important, right this moment.
“You better not be taking their side, man! I’m supposed to be your best friend! What ever happened to backin’ your brotha up?” I had to give a firm tug, to break my arm from his grip. But, instead of marching right back and continuing the verbal war, with the girls…I figured it was a better use of energy, to wander down the beach and see what I can find. As long as I stay close to shore, I’ll have no issues finding my way back
“First off…I’m not from ‘da hood’…you aren’t my ‘brotha’. And you know I don’t take sides, Alexander. I do my best to remain the…”
“…the neutral party. Yeah, yeah…I know.” My eyes were actually starting to ache from as much as I had been rolling them, so I just started to walk off. I needed a little time out anyways. Yeah…it might sound weird or whatever, but with my temper and all…I have to give myself time out sometimes…like a cool down period, ya know? Otherwise my temper gets a little bit…well…you kinda got the idea when Howie and I got into it.
I really need to get a handle on myself. Admittedly…I’ve been a douche to everyone, the past couple of days. The ship going down…like I had envisioned, mind you…really put me in a really sour mood and I just couldn’t seem to shake it off, for the life of me. Ugh, shit…this is my last smoke, too, damnit.
Taking the lone cigarette, out of the pack, I put it to my lips and lit the end. Mmm…a nice long drag was just what the doctor ordered. Oh and look…a ratty bed sheet. Granted the pink floral print is a little too feminine for my taste, but I can use this to carry whatever else I find. How useful. Maybe I shouldn’t have bitched Kris out earlier…there really was a lot to be found on the shore. On top of that, the sand felt good on the bare feet…nice and relaxing.
Alright…another drag down and a few notches calmer…time to evaluate the situation here. Howie, and I, were already over our dispute, from yesterday. I told you it would be forgotten, in no time, and we’d be back to normal. Although, his bastard comment still stings a tad bit, but we won’t let him know that it got to me. Can you blame me though? Growing up without my dad around sucked and it has had a lasting effect on me. On the other hand, being raised by my mom and grandparents has made me a more sensitive man…not that you can tell by my behavior lately.
Man, those girls must think I’m a complete ass wipe. I’m not, though. In all actuality, I’m the biggest softie you’ll ever meet and I actually do feel really bad for how I’ve acted. Those girls never did anything to me…I really have no reason to act like a douche. I just don’t disperse my anger in a healthy way…at least that’s what they told me in rehab. Generally, I have people I can call, to talk to about my issues and stuff, so I don’t run out and drink. There are two problems with that though…one, I have no line of communication and two, I don’t even have any alcohol TO drink.
Bummer.
Now that I’ve thought about it…I really want a drink. Damnit. I’m done with my last smoke, too. Well ain’t this fuckin’ peachy? My nerves are a lot less frazzled, at this moment…but I know the sate of peacefulness won’t be long lived. And I still don’t care that peaches don’t grow in bunches…just sayin’.
At least I’ve found some crap on the beach that might come in handy. Let’s see…a little bucket, half a pair of scissors, a pair of ladylike yellow sunglasses, a leather wallet with money I can’t use on a deserted island, a couple rubber ponytail holder thingies, a metal nail file, an old 9 volt battery and some coiled up wire. Whoopie, huh? But I’m sure this stuff will come in handy somehow…maybe.
Time to head back to the base camp, I guess. Between the walking, the smoke, talking to myself like a fuckin’ nut case and the whole beach environment has calmed me a fair bit…so I suppose I should apologize, to the girls.
Ooo…what’s that? I see something shiny!
Author's Chapter Notes:
Ready for some more AJ? I hope you guys are enjoying his character as much as I am! Much
