Paper Houses **N.H**

Chapter 14

Evelyn's POV-

The next day after I knew the grass was dry, I went outside to the tire swing. I'd never swung on it before. It almost seemed like a sin to mess with it, but if no one else was going to, I would. It didn't deserve to hang there by itself any longer. It'd been over 21 years since anyone had given it the attention and love it so desperately desired.

Sounded familiar.

I just I guess wanted to be alone with something else that was alone, even if it was inanimate.

I trudged through the grass and stood, gazing up at the rope. It was slightly frayed with wear and tear, but yet still it remained sturdy. The rubber of the tire was worn out and bald. I assumed whoever had originally put it up had used an old tire off the side of the road, because the tread was nearly gone. Perhaps they'd found it at a junkyard, or something.

I breathed out a long stream of air and placed my hands around the rough grain of the rope. Steadying myself, I set one of my feet inside the hole of the tire and pulled myself up. Under the weight of my body, the tire tilted forward and the rope creaked on the branch. Lifting myself up, I placed my other foot inside the rim. The tire leaned more, awaiting the balance of my figure.

I didn't expect it to be as shaky as it was, but I was determined to swing nonetheless. Gripping onto the rope harder, I could feel it cutting a little deeper into the palms of my hands as I jumped a little, taking a seat on top of the tire with the rope between my thighs.

Slowly, the tire moved back and forth. I didn't think it through that I wouldn't be able to push myself on it...

Outstretching one of my legs, I pointed my toe at the trunk of the tree and kicked off. A little faster, I swung back and forth, but it wasn't the rush I expected. The tubular shape of the tire didn't allow any room for my legs to sway to catch a momentum.

Again, I kicked off the tree, and everytime I got closer, I'd kick off once again, building up the momentum.

After a few kicks off, the tire began to spin. 

Laughing, I leaned back and let the cool breeze swallow my face. It was therapeutic to be outside, the fresh air soothing my soul.

The swing slowed down from its spin, then began to unwind the opposite way, twisting me around with it. Behind me, my light brown hair fluttered in the movements. I let go of the rope with one of my hands, catching the wind with my open palm. The breeze sent cool spirals between my fingers and I could feel the rippling affect, similar to putting your arm out the car window. The yellow house and my own house kept coming and disappearing with each spin, creating a hypnotic blur.

Finally, the swing once again slowed down, finishing its final twist. Smiling at the diminutive adrenaline rush, I pushed back my hair and sat back up straight from leaning back. My hand clasped once again on the rough, thick rope, and my eyes refocused from the blurry vision.

My smile immediately fell from my face as I got the feeling I was being watched. At the moment, I was facing my house, still, but the tire slowly spun me around.

And there he was.

My face flushed. I technically was in their yard, but Mr. Horan said I could come by the swing whenever I wanted. But now my eyes were meeting the crystal clear irises of the boy who had caused sleep deprivation for a couple days and triggered an anxiety I hadn't felt in a long time.

Embarrassed, I stared at him, contemplating whether or not to hop down and run home, or to stay where I was. Would he say anything? 

He's just staring at me, why is he doing that?