The air around you is cool and crisp. Fall was in the air and you just loved the feel of walking through the changing trees, absorbing the calming feel of being one with the earth. You find a bench and sit finding warmth from the apple cider in your to-go cup. The smell of cinnamon easing your senses as you take a sip of the hot liquid feeling as it warms you inside and out.
Soft music plays in your ears as you place your cup next to you on the bench to pull your knees up to your chest. Swaying side to side to the melodic acoustic music, eyes closed painting pictures in your head as you listen. You sat like this for what seemed hours. You, yourself and your thoughts dancing around in your head as you release all the stress and pain from days past.
You inhale a deep soothing breath and open your eyes to see a stranger looking down at you from where you sat. Hands in their pockets, head tilted to the side as if wanting to speak but hesitating seeing your peaceful state. You nod your head toward them with a small smile and go to grab your cup to leave. They hold their hand up and motion for you to sit again in an apologetic gesture.
"It's ok, I was just getting ready to finish my walk" You state and make to walk away.
"Don't leave, I apologize for staring. This is usually where I sit and collect my thoughts and seeing that I'm not the only one that uses this bench for that purpose made me pause. You looked peaceful, I didn't want to disturb you to ask if I may sit here as well". You smile and assure them it's ok and begin to walk down the path hearing the leaves crunch beneath your shoes.
"Hey! Is it ok if I join you" the stranger asks. You turn around and give them a questioning look. "I kinda don't want to be alone at the moment. Just could use someone to sit or walk with. I'll keep my distance." they say putting their hands back in their pocket. You look them in the eyes and can see the slight pain hidden behind the hopefulness. They seem to be feeling the same as me.
"Sure, I'm going to message my friend that's meeting me further down that I'll be accompanied."
You turn around and start to walk down the path again and you can hear them walk a little closer to you, keeping their distance, to walk beside you. You look over and they still have their hands in their pockets looking down at the ground as they kept pace with your slow strides.
"Would you like to listen to some music while we walk?" you ask genuinely as they look up to look in your eyes. They nod and you hand them one of your earbuds. The soft music envelopes you both in a calming blanket as you walk in silence. You gaze occasionally at the stranger next to you and at one point notice that their nose is slightly red and their eyes seem to glisten with unshed tears.
You quickly look away and finally see your friend a distance down waiting for you on the swings. You slow your strides until you come to a complete stop and turn to the individual next to you. They seemed to be in a daze staring ahead but were still able to stop when you did.
"My friends' waiting for me by the swings. It was nice walking with you." you say smiling as you hold your hand out to take the ear bud they place in your hand.
"No thank you for allowing me to have your company" they smiled as they curled your hand to close over the bud and gave your hand a warm squeeze. They let go and turned to walk back the way we'd come.
You watch as they fade into the distance and wonder what demons they were fighting that they needed a complete stranger's presence to be able to overcome some of the pain. You turn and place your earbuds in its case and put them in your pocket as you closed the distance to your friend.
