The Rocks- Chapter one

The Rocks.



Sometimes its not about who gets to hang out by The Rocks, or who gets to go buy the snowcones. Sometimes its not about what you're smoking, or what school you will graduate from. Sometimes its only about the freedom, the waves… the music. Sometimes its about friends who you love, and those who love you. SOMETIMES its about the sharks.

But most of the time, its just about growing up.










Chapter 1: June 1st.


At exactly twelve O’clock on the west coast, California schools were released for summer, and the relentless clatter of sneakers on the pavement could have been enough to shake the world, if the world would take the time to feel it.

Makoto knew the importance of this date. Knew the fear that came with every single second reserved for grabbing his things and throwing them over his shoulder and racing past the smaller, less enthusiastic bunch of freshmen that stood in his way. He may have even knocked one over, and that was very unlike him despite his size. He would have stopped to help them up, usually, but found the idea of the beach more important. He let it go. Pushed it to the back of his mind and slammed out the front doors to his high school with a breathless laugh.

The beach was exactly one mile from school, and he could run there in five minutes if he had to. He knew the way like the back of his hand. Knew it so well he was sure he could place every shadow casting down from ever palm tree on the sidewalk. Knew where a tree that was always full of bees would be hanging over a white fence. Knew where a house with a curved driveway and a red poppy garden would have a dog that would lurch at him, yapping but unable to do any harm because it was always on a leash (and that leash only went as far as their lawn).

Makoto knew it so well because he had walked it so many times.

What Makoto also knew, was that this was the last summer he and his friends would spend treading this path to the beach. The last three months where he could get a snowcone every day and not worry about homework or tests or deadlines. The last three months where he could sit beneath the overhang of The Rocks with his guitar in his lap and watch Haru surf and feel the sun freckles forming on his shoulders.

He ran faster. Faster than he thought he could, huffing and getting blared at by cars when he darted out into the intersection and didn't even turn to look at who was coming. Faster when he passed the tree with the bees in it. Faster when he approached the long driveway and a dog came running harmlessly in his direction. He didn't care. He didn't care. He just had to get to the beach. To The Rocks.

Somewhere within the span of this mile his best friend caught up to him, a flash of inky black hair out of the corner of his eye; and he shouted something along the lines of “don’t stop” because really, Haru just wasn't a runner. He knew he wouldn't be the first to touch The Rocks, maybe the last if he was wearing sandals (knowing Haru he was), and so his hopes lay on Makoto’s broad shoulders. It was all he could do, to make it this far and encourage the larger male on.

Nagisa would be running now too, but his last test had been on the opposite end of the school, and he had a bike to get to, which may or may not be of much help. Sure it was faster than running, but there would be many ruthless teenagers trying to get their wheels off the racks, and that kind of crowd could set their smaller blond back.

Makoto ran faster, trying not to think too hard incase it slowed down.

Rei was into sports. He was fast as hell at running. He would have easily beat Makoto and saved their territory… that is… if he would actually step up to protect it. Being the newest addition to their group, Rei found no glory in this special spot. He had said “its just a bunch of rocks” and “I have to take my science project from school too. I can't run while carrying it.”

Makoto ran faster. Willed his legs to stop screaming for a break. Braced himself for the final turn before the stairs down to the beach. Salty wind gushed off the coast and into his face.

His chest was heaving, guitar clamped in his right hand by the neck and he hoped--prayed too-- that he wouldn't accidentally slam it into something and break it. He avoided numerous fire hydrants for this very reason.

Four minutes maybe. Thats how long it took the motivated teenager to reach the sand, gasping and heaving and trying not to trip over his own momentum. The sand provided a new ache in his legs, weight in his shoes, fire in his heart.

The Rocks. The Rocks though, I have to get to The Rocks. I have to beat--

From his place on the beach now he could see them, the familiar shape of grey rising out of the sand, creating small caves big enough for three or four people to fit comfortably. Where once upon a time, back when Makoto was only five or six  years old, the tide would actually reach that high up the shore. Moss grew in patches here because of it, but had dwindled down over the years enough so the flies and other creatures that used to buzz around it had vanished. There was a large metal bowl that was actually the inside of Haru’s grandmother’s old washing machine, and it was cemented badly to bricks hidden beneath the sand. Inside would be the ashes that remained from their campfire two nights ago.

Makoto closed his eyes and ran harder, unable to feel his lungs anymore as the sand tried to suck him down and trip him. He grunted, sweat dripping down the sides of his face. He was so close. So close to claiming The Rocks.

And then Rin appeared on the other side, hauling himself up to the ledge that hung over their favorite shallow cave. He was panting, exhausted from his own commute, and seemed to only have the strength to flop himself down over the top of it. Feet and arms hung off the side, and he closed his eyes at the sky, mouth agape.

Makoto slowed, dropped his guitar safely into the sand, and fell to his knees five feet from their victory.

“Yeeesssss!!!” Rin yelled from the top, his maroon hair splayed out around his face. He fisted the air with as much strength as he could manage, and sat up slowly. “I--It’s ours.” Crimson eyes gleamed.

Makoto’s heart broke. So much effort… His mind flashed memories of this spot, all at once crowding him, tugging at him and threatening to shake him into panic-mode.

“No!” Somewhere behind him Haru’s voice reached, and he sounded even more devastated that Makoto felt. Rin’s face--if at all possible-- grew more cocky at the sound. He raised a hand to push it through his hair, and then fixed the collar of his shirt some. Smug.

“That’s right, Haru!” He cheered. “The Rocks belong to us this summer!”

Makoto bowed his head in unholy defeat, sweat trailing his nose. He was so close… Three summer’s he had claimed The Rocks for him and his friends, and now this. The LAST summer they were going to spend together….

“I--I’m sorry.” Makoto was already mumbling as Haru hit the ground beside him, hand on his shoulder in a gasping flurry of curse words. He must have run his fastest too, for him to have even gotten here quick enough to witness their defeat. The clammy look across his forehead may or may not have been from sweat. He kind of looked like he was going to be sick.

“R--Rin you bastard!” He groaned. “T--This is our s--spot!”

Makoto knew it wouldn't work. The Rocks had always been up for grabs-- every year on June first when the schools would get out, the two groups of friends from seperate schools would race to the beach to claim this spot-- the BEST spot. That was the bet. That was the way it had been since before Haru and Makoto had even entered high school. That was the law students had started generations ago.

“Ha--Haru. I’m sorry.”

“Y--You cheated!” Haru, who very rarely got this fired up, yelled. “Rin you cheated! You left school early didnt you?!”

“Like hell. I’m just faster than you and your friend!” He barked, eyes glinting in the sun. Heat started to swell across Makoto’s cheeks, stretching to his ears and neck in shame.

“Rin!” from behind The Rocks and up towards the street, came the familiar sound of Nitori, who strolled casually, completely pleased to see the leader of his group of friends standing at the top. He waved down to them, silver hair fluttering in the breeze. “We won?!”

“Thats right!” Rin scrambled to his feet--his legs looked a little stiff-- and fistbumped the air again. Nitori made a similar motion back at him.

“Fucking--

“Haru.” Makoto patted his friend on the back to calm him down. “Dont let it get to you… w--we can find a new spot.”

He knew it was a lie. They had grown up on this beach. Their initials were carved inside those Rocks. Haru’s grandmother provided them with the fire pit to sit around at night. Makoto had written and played a decades worth of music underneath that overhang. Nagisa smoked his first joint sitting on top of it. Rei had learned to swim in the ocean forty feet away.

Their whole lives it seemed, revolved around The Rocks. And they had spent three years so far protecting them from Rin’s gang of brats. Three years just to have it snatched away.

“It’s not fair.” Haru hissed, staring down into the sand. From above them, where the street and sidewalk overlooked their misery, Nitori was three seconds from being run over by the shorter blond boy known as Nagisa.

His bike came to screeching halt, his violet eyes enormous and mouth gaping in shock. He wasn't breathing as heavily, as he probably gave up at the bike racks and took his time getting here. His fluffy blond hair was windblown, his shirt a little rumpled, and Makoto felt even more ashamed.

“Too late.” Nitori smiled, almost kindly, shoving his small hands into the pockets on his vest.

“NO!” Nagisa threw a leg over his bike and let it clatter down. Instant rage took over his normally round and happy face. He reached for the collar of the other boys shirt and shook him violently in disbelief. “No way! You can't take The Rocks!”

“Nagisa!” Makoto pleaded, knowing how his heart was breaking too. Nagisa was known to get into fights here and there, usually because his size was so easy to make fun of, but this wasn't even justified. “Stop!”

“Hey!” Rin demanded of the blond. “Fuck off, Hazuki!” It was no secret that Rin spent a fair amount of his own time protecting Nitori from bullies because of his size as well.

Nagisa released Nitori with gritted teeth and turned away.

Haru stared at the ground as if he hadn't seen any of it. As if any more stress would burn the pieces remaining of his shattered heart. “We’ll get them back.”

“Huh?” Makoto whined, frightened by the sound.

“We’ll take them back!” Haru’s head shot up towards Rin, anger burning in his ocean eyes. Like the storm. The storm that came with no warning whatsoever. Not even the calm before the storm could have warned them for this outburst.

“You can try!” Rin sneered, keeping one eye on Nagisa.

“We will!” Haru pushed up to his feet, fists clenched into balls and his backpack hanging onto him by one strap now. His skin was flushed red with anger, his mouth turned down with misery-- hopefully he wouldn't cry. Makoto couldn't take it if Haru cried.

He watched for only a moment as Haru stormed back the way they came, still breathing heavily and still blaming himself for their loss. He dragged himself to his feet, calves and shins achy.  It hurt… Makoto knew it hurt. He could feel it in his chest too. The dragging lull of defeat, sucking in and out of their blood like the ocean waves lapping at the shore. His shoulders slumped.

“What are we doing!?” Nagisa sounded desperate up there, shocked that they weren't planning on fighting too. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Momo appeared with an ice cream cone melting in his hand. Nagisa could fight Nitori no problem, but it wouldn't solve anything. Makoto and Haru could take on Rin together, but it wouldn't solve anything. Makoto figured, if fighting was Nagisa’s answer, then defeat came in only the form of being out numbered. Momo was a crazy bastard anyways-- a spaz that probably carried a knife.

“Come on, Nagisa.” Makoto waved him down sadly, ignoring the comments Rin was shouting at his back. He bent only to pick up his guitar and shake off some of the sand. This wasn't over. Of course it wasn't over.

“We’ll take them back.” Haru was still muttering when he caught up to him. “Makoto… We have to take them back.” desperation dripped from his voice.

“I know.” He sighed. “Don’t worry, Haru..”

He sniffed.

“D--don’t cry.”

………………..




Things had settled down more as the three boys walked the sidewalk away from their beloved Rocks. Haru shed just a couple tears-- to Makoto’s horror-- and then faded back into the serenity of his own mind. He was a quiet guy really, usually unbothered by trivial things. The kind of guy that didn't give a shit what you yourself did, but had a tendency to cold-shoulder anyone affecting his own plans. He was selfish-- that was the best word really-- and Makoto hated knowing just how important this was to him. Just had hard he had been let down.

“I’m sorry.” He said time and time again, and Nagisa insisted it wasn't his fault-- he even went as far as to blame himself for taking so long at the bike racks. It didn't help.

“I hate them.” Haru whispered, slowing near a set of picnic tables. There were shops near here. Some that were family owned and others that came and went with the seasons. A candy store that bloomed for Valentines’ day, a used bookstore that spelt like incense and mold, and many other things that didn't matter much to them. Not nearly as much as The Rocks did.

Makoto could only think of one thing that might make this terrible first day of summer a little better, and that was the idea of snowcones.

Nagisa propped his bike against one of the tables and flopped himself onto the bench. He buried his head into his arms and moaned. “Fucking sharks.” Thats right. Sharks. Thats what those guys from the other school were. Sharks swimming with their teeth bared and ready to strike.

Haru followed a little slower, his raven black hair looking hot and shiny in the sun.

Makoto set his guitar down in between his two friends and sighed. “Why don’t I go get us snowcones?”

Nagisa’s head shot up in agreement.

Haru grunted.

“Kay, you want the usual right?” He tried to smile, but neither of them looked him in the eyes to see it. They were too busy peering back down the shore at the lumpy shapes in the distance. If you squinted, you could still see Rin standing on the top-- like the king of their castle.

“I’ll be right back…” He sighed, leaving his instrument with them and turning away.

It was a short walk to the snowcone shack from the picnic tables, but was mostly uphill and required you to stop twice to press the walk button before crossing the street. Makoto found it more time consuming than it needed to be, but couldn't help but be grateful for the chance to step away from his friends. The atmosphere was hard to swallow when it felt like this was his fault.

Besides, it couldn't be all bad… He took a deep breath and tried to focus on the bright side. That being that today was still the first day of Summer, and they still could get snowcones. The weather was perfect, oh though that was normal for here in California. Not a cloud in the clear blue sky. The water would be warm but Makoto wasn't prepared to do more than stand in the shallows today. That was alright though, he had his guitar to play.

When he neared the snowcone shack he didn't anticipate the line that he would have to wait in, and that dampened his bright side just a little. Of course it would be busy-- two high schools within two miles of here had just gotten out. Everyone had reason to celebrate. Snowcones were the perfect treat for the occasion.

He clicked his tongue, hand in his pocket thumbing a five dollar bill that he had taken from his wallet this morning for this very reason. People buzzed around him, fidgeting in the line and laughing loudly with their friends. Two people he recognised waved at him, and one girl even took the liberty to say hello.

Makoto smiled at her, pleasant as if he hadn't just lost one of the most important places to him. “Hey.”

“Where’s your guitar huh?” She began, but the customers in front of her trotted to the shack window to order. “Oh-- sorry,my turn!” She bounced after them to a second opening and Makoto stepped forward in her place.

She ordered quickly for herself and another friend who was waiting before turning and glancing back. “Your guitar?”

“Left it with Haru.” He said just before a new, third person opened up one of the shack windows. Makoto hurried and waved, not wanting someone else to step in front of him, but not wanting to seem rude either.

The man at the window surprised him by being young-- young and tall. Makoto stared a little, blinking and forgetting all about his classmate who asked about his guitar and The Rocks. He almost forgot the flavors he knew his friends wanted on their snowcones too.

“We’re out of the paper cones.” The man said, his voice velvety and deep and somehow a little scary. He looked mean.

Makoto flinched. “Thats okay, ill take them in cups.”

“Mmn. What flavors?”

“Uhh... “ He blinked steadily. This guy looked rather familiar now that he concentrated… “Blue.”

“Blue?” He scoffed. “That’s not a flavor.”

“Ehh. I--I mean, blue raspberry. Medium.” He explained Haru’s order with much difficulty. His hand in his pocket clutched the five dollar bill too tight. “And I need a medium grape and bubblegum.” For Nagisa.

“Will that be all?” Grumpy didn't look up as he wrote the order on a small slip of paper.

“N--no.. Ah.” Makoto paused. He usually got cherry, but something told him to be different today. “I need one more medium… but i don’t know which flavor i want. C--could you tell me whats good?”

The man behind the registrar sighed heavily, lifting his handsome brow to peer upwards. His teal eyes were a little flat in emotion, but radiant in color. Makoto swallowed, trying to think of a flavor that would fit that color. And really, there wasn't.

“Well my favorite is cherry.” He rumbled, and Makoto thought that might be lie to just get him to hurry up.

He decided not to push it, anyways, it didn't matter. Cherry was his favorite and his usual anyways.

“Okay then. A medium cherry.”

Two girls working with the shaved ice had already began on his order. One of them had set Haru’s with a spoon in it on the counter already, and the other was squirting pink syrup into Nagisa’s.

“Sir.”

Makoto watched intently.

“Excuse me!” The man who took his order said loudly.

Makoto jumped. “S--Sorry. What?”

“I said that will be three dollars.” He repeated, obviously irritated now. And why wouldnt he be? Makoto was being an airhead and he had a whole crowd of anxious high schoolers to tend to.

“Right.” Makoto pulled the bill from his pocket and set it down.

There was a moment of clatter and business that couldn't have been mistaken for silence, but Makoto felt it had the same effect. He watched the man take his money and quickly get his change without saying anything. Nagisa’s snowcone was set next to Haru’s.

“What’s your name?” He blurted as a girl pumped red syrup onto his shaved ice.

“Huh?”

“Y--You just look familiar.” Makoto swallowed as he handed him two dollars back.

“Sousuke.” He said simply, turning to grab the cherry snowcone and stab a spoon into it. Makoto gathered Nagisa’s and Haru’s quickly, tucking one into him with his forearm and holding the other in his hand. He stuffed the money in his pocket before grabbing his own.

“Thank you.” Makoto said simply, turning away and almost bumping into another student.

Sousuke...Sousuke…

He shook his head and made his way back towards the sidewalk and away from the crowd. He didn’t know anyone named Sousuke, so maybe the guy just went to his school. That would explain the familiar face.

Makoto pushed the thought aside and hurried back to his friends as quickly as he could so that the snowcones wouldn't melt. The juice was already sinking to the bottom of the cup and he was determined not to let this ruin their first day of summer anymore than it already was..

And while he didn't know it, behind him at the shack window Sousuke took a peek down at his phone, sighing at Rin’s name and swiping the screen to unlock it.

[ WE GOT THE ROCKS ]  it read, and a wild grin spread across the teenagers handsome face.