Saving Brownie

Chapter Twelve : The Sad Story

The rays of the mighty sun burned my skin, the sweltering heat draining my energy. However, I was given the chance to bat and I was pretty excited. Ian was bowling while Clark was fielding. I wasn't the best in bowling and when I was given the chance to bowl by sweet Ian, Clark made fun of my efforts. I had to prove to him that I was good and also that I wanted revenge for letting his dog after me. I rolled up my sleeves, cracked my knuckles dramatically and glanced at Clark. He was at a distance and I could imagine him rolling his pretty eyes.

I still wanted to know what was the matter about earlier when Clark looked disturbed because I pushed him away and said that he would be alone while Ian and I would be on one team.

"Ready?" Ian asked and I nodded. I chewed my upper lip as sweat trickled down my forehead. My eyes were focused on Ian's movements of throwing the ball skilfully. I raised my bat and swung it with so much force in an attempt to hit the ball that strangely I felt the weight dissipating from my hands. Instead of the ball, the bat flew from my grip. I looked up, squinting my eyes and saw the bat high up in the sky. It made it's way straight towards Clark.

Honestly, it was not on purpose. My intentions were clearly to hit the ball, but now as the bat flew towards Clark, I realized that I didn't mind. I didn't mind at all. I grinned, but my happiness faded as soon as I saw Clark duck right in time. He dodged the heavy bat with ease. I stomped my foot and looked down in dismay. My eyes landed on the ball which Ian had thrown and I realized that I hadn't even managed to hit the ball. I was so perturbed that I picked up the ball and launched it fiercely towards Clark.

He didn't seem to notice the ball coming right at him since he was still recovering from the shock of a bat being hurled at him. Ian alerted Clark, but it was too late. As Clark looked up, the ball hit his chin and he fell down. Ian rushed to him and was worriedly nursing Clark as I approached them. I stifled my laughter. I smiled sheepishly at Ian, but he shook his head. I looked at Clark who rubbed his chin furiously and glared at me.

"Serves you right for troubling me with that dog of yours," I said tartly, but I did feel intimidated by his cold look so I averted my eyes at Ian.

"I think we should go, we played enough for today," Ian suggested and I flashed him a grateful look. I didn't want to be in the presence of Clark since I was sure he would skim me alive.

"Come Georgia, I'll leave you," Clark offered very, very, very sweetly while getting up from the ground.

I got suspicious as I shook my head vigorously.

"First, I'm called George. And second, I'm going with Ian," I said staunchly and wrapped my arm around Ian.

"Wouldn't it be the opposite way for Ian to leave you. You and I live on the same street, so it would make sense if I drop you," Clark insisted and I noticed his faint smirk. His eyes looked dark and I shuddered noticing the evil glint. I knew that he would do something on the way, probably push me off the bridge or---

"Ian wouldn't mind dropping me, would you Ian?" I batted my eyelashes at Ian who simply nodded, unaware of the clash between Clark and me.

"Fine by me then," Clark muttered in defeat and Ian walked ahead, but I caught his arm.

"Brownie, you wouldn't mind if Ian and I spend some more time here?" I asked and Clark shrugged. Ian raised his eyebrow at me and I grinned as we quietly watched Clark made his way towards his car. I waved enthusiastically at him when he drove away with a stoic face.

"What happened, beautiful?" Ian asked and I felt myself blush like a sick girl. I smacked my head mentally for getting affected by the word 'beautiful,' but it wasn't that everyone called me that. In fact, I didn't recall even one person till now who had called me beautiful. That word had some sentimental value over naive girls.

"I just wanted to know if you can tell me more about Clark," I said dubiously.

"I'm sorry, but I can't---"

"Look, I really want to know. Please . . . I want to help him. I want to see him smile, I want to see him happy. As much as I trouble and irritate him, my intentions are purely to keep him occupied. I want to know the source due to which he is sad. I'll try my best to eliminate and destroy whatever is troubling him. I just want to see him happy, please," I elucidated and noticed that Ian was still reluctant.

I took Ian's warm hand and held it firmly. I wanted to assure him that I was serious at least this time. It was no joke for me regarding Clark's issues and I would do anything to make him happy and I meant it.

"Please tell me and I swear I wouldn't utter a word to a single soul. I just want to help. Please, I know you know. I want to help him really," I implored and he sighed audibly.

"I can't tell you the entire story, but enough to help you help him."

* * *

"Clark has gone through a lot. He was an orphan when this kind, old man took him in. The old man's wife didn't agree to keep Clark so she left just like Clark's parents or this is what Clark thinks. It might not be the truth though," Ian said flatly and my eyes widened. "That's not it. Clark never really had any true friends who stuck to him except me. Clark fell in love with this girl who was our good friend. They were going to get married and Clark was waiting for her down the aisle, but she never came. She ran off with the grandson of the old man who was also living with them."

"Let me find that cheating b***h and I'm going to throw her off the cliff not before whooping her ass," I cursed, suddenly turning hostile. Ian's features softened. "Then what happened?"

"We tried to convince him that she's gone. She ran away, but he still believes that it was not her choice. He thinks that somebody manipulated her and that she's forced into it. He's still finding her," he continued and I lowered my head in deep thought. Clark's life was totally screwed up, but I had a feeling that there was more to the story.

"Ian, I just have this weird feeling that there is more to the story, way more and you're hiding that from me."

"You're right, but as I said earlier, I cannot reveal much. This story is just a fragment of his entire life."