O P A L

My French braided hair whips violently at my face as the cool gusts of wind pass by me. I close my eyes and inhale the woodsy pine scent, the aroma around me reminds me off all my childhood memories. I wander up to my mom at a rustic old wooden table, stirring a giant pot of hot chocolate.

"Do you need any help?" I inquire, leaning against the table.

"You could start the apple cider, the kiddos will be here any minute."

"Nothing like our fall festival. Did dad finish cutting the corn maze?"

She nods, her dark baby hairs swaying in her eyes as the breeze picks up. "He sure did, now he's putting the hay on the truck."

"Oh fun! I think Polli and Marci are setting up the booth for the pumpkin patch."

"I believe they are."

"I finished the candy apples, the popcorn is popping, I also set up the sunflower booth."

"You got it going, Oppie. You're always quick to set up. So," she combs her hair back in her tight bun, "Do you have any friends coming?"

"Umm, Briar said he's coming, I'm not sure if Iris will be able to make it, fingers crossed that she does.

"What's that?" My mom inquires, her dark brow raised.

"What's what?" I ask.

She points the bamboo spoon at me, "On your cheek."

I raise my hand to my cheek, knowing full well that she's talking about the red hand print that Mark gave me. "I don't know what your talking about."

She grabs my face with her hand, looking closely, "That red mark."

"I probably hit myself or something, I'm a clumsy one ya know?" I fake laugh, my throat feels like it's swelling, like I'm unable to breathe.

She giggles, "Yeah probably, you have so many bruises it's hard to keep track of where you get them all."

"Hah, yeah." I dust my hands on my skirt; I grab the cinnamon off the table and hide it behind my back. "I just realized you didn't bring the cinnamon out."

She glances around the table, searching behind each spice. "Huh, I could have sworn I brought some out."

"Don't worry mom, I'll go get some." I jog up to the house, hiding along the side where nobody can see me. Marks beat up and bloodied face flashes in my head. My skin crawls, feeling as if he's still touching me. My back slides alongside the wall, my body falling to the dirt. I hold my head in my hands and bawl.

"Opal?"

"K-k-Koa?"

He grabs my hand, pulling me off the ground. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying."

"Then what else would you call it?"

"My eyes are just sweating."

He leans his back against the house, scooting his way down until he's sitting next to me. He lifts his hand hesitantly before scooping mine up. "I've used that line before." With his free hand he takes it through his dark hair, his blue eyes flick towards me. "Is it about Mark?"

K O A

She nods her head up and down, her red hair swaying with her movement. She wipes away the fresh tears from her flushed cheeks. "Yes."

My hand tightens around hers, causing her to wince in pain as I crush her small hand. I drop her hand in her lap, "I..I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"It's okay Koa." She rubs her hand, my finger prints painted red on her freckled skin. She flashes her kind smile that's routinely on her face.

"I've hurt you-"

"On accident." She cuts me off.

"But-"

"Koa." She places her hand on my knee, giving it a light squeeze. "It's fine, really." She tells me, pulling her hand back to her lap.

I pry my eyes off of her, turning my attention to the deciduous trees swaying in the distance. I curl my hands in my hoodie pocket, listening to her sniffle beside me. A shiver crawls down my spine, writhing in my spot, the sound of her crying beside me makes my heartache. I feel powerless, like I can't help her. "Stop crying." I grumble out, my voice coming out more harsher than I intended.

"Sorry." She whimpers, drying her tears.

"I didn't mean that. Its just... I don't like seeing you cry."

She lets out a soft chuckle, "I don't like seeing anyone cry either."

I nudge her arm, exchanging a smile. "Then you understand me." My eyes trail down to her dirty green shoes. "Those look like they're taking their last breath."

She grins, "I've had these ones for three years."

"What about the last ones?"

Her forest colored eyes wander to her old shoes, "Um.." she pauses, "The last pair I had for four years."

"It's time you get new ones."

She bobs her head up and down, "Yeah, but who can find the money?"

"Some people." I mumble out, pushing myself off the ground, extending my hand out. She grabs my hand as I help pull her up. "What do ya got going on?"

"Thank you." She dusts the backside of her dress off. "Um, we are just setting up for the pumpkin patch and stuff." She fiddles with her braided pigtails. "I need to give this back to my mom." She flashes a glass jar full of brown powder. "You haven't met any of my family besides my siblings. Do you want to meet them?"

"Uh," I rub the back of my neck, glance around the side of the house, seeing her mom at a giant booth. "I guess so."

"Don't worry, they don't bite. They're sweet people."

I adjust my shoulders uncomfortably and nod. She gives me a reassuring smile, gripping my hand and leading the way. "Here's the cinnamon!" She chirps, tossing it to her mom.

"Thanks sweetheart." Her head lifts and her monolidded umber eyes stare up at me. Her plum red lips curve into a smile, she combs her fingers through straight inky hair. "Hi there," she reaches her arm above the pot, "You must be-"

"Koa." I wipe my clammy palms on my jeans before shaking her hand.

"Wow, it's nice to finally meet the Koa Whiley. Opal talks about you all the time."

I chew on the inside of my lip, glancing at Opal who's cheeks are bright red. "Oh?"

She grins, "She's quite the talker."

"Yeah she sure is. It's nice to meet you Mrs.Clemens."

"Call me Olive."

"It smells pretty good over here."

She chuckles behind her hand, "Oh thank you."

"My mom makes a pretty mean hot chocolate." Opal nudges.

"Oh no, your father is the chef in the family."

"Well you make amazing Korean food."

"Oh thanks Oppie."

"We're gonna head to the barn. Come on Koa." She yanks my arm.

"He's a hunk Opal!" Olive shouts from behind us.

"Oh my goodness." She mumbles, smacking herself.

I grin and watch her face turn the same color as her hair. "Ignore her."

"You don't think I'm a hunk?" I chuckle lightly.

"Hunk? What is this word that you speak of?" She slides the rusted barn door open, revealing the inside. Hay is scattered throughout the dirt ground, giant stalls line one side of the wall while the opposite end holds storage. "Hey papa."

"Hey Opal." He waves, not turning his attention in our direction. He stacks the last few hay bells on the end of the trail.

"Would you like some help Mr.Clemens?" I offer.

He turns his head to look at me, his red shaggy hair holds hay and straw. "Well I'll be darned if this isn't Koa Whiley."

"In the flesh."

He belly laughs before limping up to me, his prosthetic leg clanking as he walks, I meet him half way to save him the trouble. "It's nice to finally meet you sir."

"Likewise! Please, call me Dutch."

"Would you like some help loading the last few bells?"

"Be my guest." He gestures towards the piles. I pull my jacket off, tossing it over a vacant stall door, lifting the hay bells and loading them onto the end. "Careful, those suckers are heavy."

"It's not too bad."

He chuckles, "You make it look easy."

"What can I say, I'm a man of steel."

He pats my back once I finish up, "I'd say. Thank you for the help."

"Would you like some help with anything else?"

He shakes his head, "Oh no, but thank you for your generosity."

"It's my pleasure."

"How is a young man like yourself so polite?"

"Older brother, he taught me right from wrong. But believe me when I say I'm not that great."

"I'd say otherwise. Everyone has goodness in them somewhere."

"I'm gonna show Koa the pumpkin patch before we get a crowd."

"Sounds good sweetheart. You kids have fun, oh! Try the hot chocolate, it's pretty darn good." Dutch tells me, I open my mouth to respond but Opal yanks me out of the barn before I get the chance.

I watch the sky paint itself pink and purple as the sun sets behind the trees, leaving only a little light to see. String lights over head light up as it turns dark, lighting our path.

Enormous pumpkins and thick vines cover the ground. "God damn, that's a big ass pumpkin!" I exclaim, tapping on the pumpkin. "Think it could hold my weight?"

"Hmm," her green eyes squint playfully, "Depends. How much do you weigh?"

"One forty."

"Yeah, the pumpkin can surely hold you."

I hop onto the pumpkin, "Oh damn!"

Opal giggles into her sweater covered hand. She looks like a little kid with that sweater on, the sleeves are so long. She sits beside me, "Are you comfy?"

"Besides having a lump in my ass, yes."

"Now the crowd rolls in."

Heeps of cars and trucks park at the fence and people start to crowd the area. A dude stands beside me with his arms crossed, he clears his throat and rolls his eyes. "Don't hog the pumpkin, man."

"Whoa," I lift my hands up, "didn't realize so many people would want to catch a ride on a pumpkin."

"Well duh!" He spits.

I wipe the remnants of his spit off my face with my sleeve, "You'd be surprised." Opal whispers. The warmth of her arm around mine feels... right, as if it were made to be there. "Oh hey, you forgot your jacket, are you not cold?"

"No, not really."

"Really? It's pretty chilly out here."

"Maybe that hot chocolate might warm you up."

We wander up to the booth with a few people making a quick order. "Hey there! Nice to see you two again!" Olive chirps with a cheerful smile. "What can I get you?"

"I'd like a cup of peppermint hot chocolate, with extra whipped cream." Opal tells her mom.

"Make that two please."

"Don't forget the extra whipped cream."

Olive cackles at the child like excitement coming from her daughter. "Oh Opal I won't." She scoops up our drinks with a ladle, pouring it into a paper insulated cup. "Here you are." 

"Wait how much is it?"

She leans forward and whispers, "On the house, don't tell anyone."

I try to hold back my smile, "Oh I won't, thank you."

"Now to the corn maze!" She holds her arm out as if she were holding a flag and leading the way. "Onward!"

I laugh out loud at her dorkiness, she turns around and laughs with me, wrapping her arms around my stomach and laughing into my chest. "Stop laughing! I need to peeee!"

"I can't help it, your so weird."

"Weirds good, normals boring. That's why you and I got along so well. We're strange ones." Her big green eyes stare into mine. I hesitantly wrap my arms around her back, I wish she would never let go.

A hand strongly grabs my shoulder, my back straightens and my jaw tightens. It feels like my fathers grip. My hands clench, destroying my cup, the hot liquid spews out, burning my hand. I rip myself from Opals hold, grabbing the culprit and body slamming them to the ground. I shake my head, staring into the guys confused and scared eyes. He groans beneath me, coughing in pain. I jerk my hand away from the collar of their shirt. I gaze around at all the terrified eyes staring at me, people whispering things in each other's ears. Opals green eyes stare back at me, she looks mortified, like she had just seen a monster.

"I... I'm sorry." I storm off in the direction of my car.

"Koa wait!" Opal calls from behind, but I ignore her shouts.

My hands tremble and struggle to find my key. I hiss in pain at the burn, but I deserve all the pain that comes my way. The look in Opals eyes say it all. Koa Whiley is a monster.