First Time Around: Chapter 01

(Doug)

In which we meet our hero and get some background.

That day two years ago
Tears rolled out of my eyes, streaking my face. How could I have been so stupid?

The pain became too much to bear. I stifled my keening and reached for the cold metal by my bedside.

Five hours on the river, in the sun, and I had forgotten my sunscreen. I grabbed the can of Solarcaine and applied another coating to my lobster-red arms and legs. Oh, that felt good.

I replayed those moments of rafting down the river again in my head and sighed. It was worth it.

The day before that day
I was one of the new kids. I wasn't comfortable grabbing a raft with people I didn't know, so I was relegated to one with two teachers in it, neither of whom paddled more than a few strokes the entire time. Well, at least it meant I got more exercise.

Keeping my eyes peeled for a figure in red, I thought about the girl I had met yesterday.

The day before the day before that day
A man was on the stage in the gym. It was a multi-purpose stage, used for plays, assemblies, guest visitors, and graduations. The man up there now, the school head, was addressing us regarding the School Adventure rafting expedition tomorrow.

I was sitting a little way away from everyone. I was never comfortable forcing my presence on anybody.

A couple of feet away a girl was sitting, with cropped brown hair and bangs that have had songs written about them. Much to my disbelief she turned and beckoned to me during a lull in the man's diatribe.

"What's your name?" she half-whispered after I had scooted closer.

"Doug. What's yours?"

"Mary."

Pause. I was never good at talking to people.

"So, uh... You going to this Adventure Day thing?"

"Oh yeah, I love rafting."

"Oh! Uh, yeah, me too." I had never gone rafting in my life.

Silence.

That day
I sighed again. It was going to be hell putting on the uniform over my sunburn. But... Maybe it would be worth it.

This is my first shot at writing something like this. Be gentle. Names have been and will continue to be changed; all except my own, obviously.