Returning Shadows

(3) I Don't Bite, Love -- Part 1

CHAPTER 3
I Don't Bite, Love. (Part 1/2)

I went out again the following week to my viewpoint. I had decided to call it Mermaid’s Lookout because it was overlooking the sea and I happen to like mermaids.

As I approached the little path leading towards Mermaid’s Lookout, I noticed that there were large footprints imprinted in the soggy dirt. I placed my foot inside one of them. It was a good few sizes bigger than my own tiny size fours. My heart rate accelerated. Somebody’s been here!

Without hesitation, I ran around the path towards the rocks, and stepped right into a deep mucky puddle. I pulled my foot out of the swamp, a look of disgust crossing my face as it made a loud slop noise. Yuk. I shook my leg off and walked around the puddle, still pissed off that I now had a slopping wet foot, and dirty jeans.

My mood quickly changed when I saw that my coffee jar had been moved. It was on the opposite side to where I’d originally left it.

I ran over and picked it up, collapsing onto the couch rocks as I unscrewed the lid. Three empty sweet wrappers blew out and I stomped on them before the wind carried them away, quickly shoving the plastics into my satchel. I let out a squeal of excitement. Half of me wasn’t expecting to get a reply, and I was even more surprised that the sweets had been eaten. Who the hell eats sweets from a stranger?

I carefully lifted out the pieces of paper, savouring the anticipation of wanting to read what my stranger had written.

Alexis,
               Let us get straight to the point. You left this letter hoping I was going to be some dashingly handsome gentleman, who would leave you sweet love letters in this coffee jar and someday meet up with you and fall in love.
Yes, I am dashingly handsome, but I’m no gentleman.  I’ve only recently finished a spell in prison for fighting. What do you think about that? Still interested in chatting?
I’m twenty one and I have more trouble on my side than you could imagine. However, you sound a little simple, so if you’re planning on sticking around, at least tell me something about yourself. What do you look like, Lexi?
Oh, and make yourself useful and bring some more sweets. I like humbugs.

Danny.

“Bloody cheek!” I muttered out loud. “I’ll put some damn laxatives in next time, see how he likes that!”

The letter annoyed me. He sounded arrogant, troublesome, and he judged me even though he didn’t know who I was.

I puffed out my cheeks and slowly exhaled. Maybe this could still work if I was nice back to him. I grabbed a pen and paper and scribbled out my reply.

Dear Danny,
                    Yes, I’m still interested in chatting if you are. What happened before doesn’t matter.
About me, um, I like reading and writing, I’m a pretty good cook when I can be bothered, dogs are my favourite animals, I’m scared of spiders, I like winter better than summer.
I have long blonde hair, blue eyes, and I’m 5’2” tall. Your turn.

Yours,
Alexis.

I rolled the paper up neatly and pushed it inside the jar, rummaging inside my satchel for some more sweets. I didn’t have any humbugs, so I put in three toffees instead. I would have to remember to bring candy-shaped laxatives next time he asks. That would teach him.

Suddenly, a loud beeping sound rang through my ears.

“Crap! I’ve got to get home!”

It was my watch, reminding me of the time.

After mum’s talk the other day, I decided to take part in some kind of local activity to try and get myself used to people, since I’d have to go to college at the end of the year, and I knew that I’d be a complete loser while I’m there unless I snapped out of my shyness. So, I decided to choose possibly the most embarrassing activity—kickboxing. And I was already regretting it.