Not Yet Alone

Chapter 16

Last December, I went to a museum that had a bunch of Christmas trees set up for an exhibit. Basically all the big businesses in town had a tree there.

What caught my eye was the dark green one in the back corner. It was the Good Will tree.

That tree had no lights; there was nothing that made it stand out. Its only decorations were these little round paper cutouts that hung on the branches.

On each paper cut out was written one wish.

~I wish that I could get a job ~ I wish my parents weren't divorced ~ I wish that my dad would get out of jail ~ I wish I could see my daughter again ~ ~ ~ ~

I didn't get the opportunity to read every wish, but the ones that I did read tore at my heart.

All of the wishes that those peole made had absolutely nothing to do with me. In my life, it is just too easy for me to forget that problems like that really do exist. While it might not be reality for me, it is for someone else.

I didn't just want to live; I wanted to impact.

****

I am very thankful that it is a Saturday. I don't think I can stand to face Austin today.

My mind has so much to think about. Is it possible that I have really affected people's lives as much as Austin believes?

After dragging myself out of bed, I dressed myself in pink sweatpants, a white t-shirt, and blue socks. I know my clothing doesn't match which is why I call it my everyday, nothing special outfit.

Downstairs, I had just poured myself a bowl of marshmallow matey's to eat when my sister, Abby, entered to kitchen. I knew my sister had just woken up, though it was a bit obvious due to the fact that she was still wearing her pajamas.

"Hey Taylor." Abby grabbed the box of marshmallow matey's and began picking out the marshmallows. "So, what's this I hear about you having a hot boyfriend?"

I sighed. How in the world did mom possibly change Austin from a friend coming over for studying to my boyfriend?

"I don't have a boyfriend." I stated to my sister.

"That isn't what I heard." Abby wagged her eyebrows at me.

"Whatever you heard is wrong. Austin is just an annoying kid in my chemistry class who likes to copy my answers because he is too lazy to figure it out himself." I replied.

"Not true. I legitimately need help." I turned my head to see Austin leaning his shoulder against the doorway.

I noticed Austin had gotten a haircut. It just made him look hotter. I helplessly watched him run his fingers through his short blonde hair then give me an attractive smile. It didn't help that he was wearing a black columbia jacket and blue jeans which just added to his appealing look.

Abby was also checking Austin out. "Oh my, that is Taylor's guy? He is so hot. I want him." I can be thankful that Abby only thought that and didn't say it out loud.

"What are you doing here?" I may not be immune to Austin's attractiveness, but I do know how to act around him. There is no way that I'm going to throw myself at him.

"You forgot your phone in my car. I was just kindly returning it." Austin replied.

"That's what you were doing last night?" Abby asked as I accepted my phone from him. I knew what she was thinking, and the very thought that I would do something like that insulted me.

"Absolutely not." I blurted out. "Austin and I are not even dating."

In the corner of my eye, I saw Austin raise his eyebrows, but I was more focused on Abby's thoughts. "Soo, if he isn't Taylor's then that means he's single and free?"