Magnetism

21 - disagree

"So we are doing Christmas presents this year" Alex asked

Noah nodded, and following suit as did I. We were all sat in Noah's house, in his converted garage. As kids me and him would play in there for hours, it was filled with toys, and paint. Time would only rush by in that room, before we knew it two hours would disappear and we'd be hastily shoving toys in box's. The room had evolved with Noah, him being the youngest of his siblings. He had redesigned it, making a fun 'hangout area'. It was dark, a lack of natural light probably being the cause, but it had always been our space.

Originally, it wasn't the three of us that hung out. Noah and I lived the closest together, and as kids had always been inseparable. I think both our parents always thought something more would happen between me and Noah, but him and I always new it wouldn't. Noah and asked never even spoke together until I introduced properly; the small school just never made their paths overlap. But they fit together, bouncing off one another almost perfectly.

After a month I could tell the two of them would eventually come together, but I kept my mouth shut. I made no comments no matter how subtle, it wasn't my place. Still, I watched and saw how Over weeks and months they became closer stand closer. Until they were together, just not ready to label it. At school they still kept it quiet, a small kiss on the cheek when no one was looking. Except I had noticed, and still not said a word to either of them.

For the last couple of Christmas's the three of us hadn't done presents, last year the two of them secretly exchanged gifts but u hasn't been involved. Gift giving was stressful and cost all too much money, however laid in bed one night in January I decided that i wanted to live life, and this was one of the ways I decided to do it.

"Yep" I replied "nothing too expensive though"

"So budget of £15?" Noah asked

I nodded, knowing that the two of them would end up getting each other a second gift. Content enough, I smiled.
*
*
Ivy was perfect. Okay maybe she wasn't perfect, no human was. But on the 3rd of December she most certainly looked it. Her and I had found time and opportunity in the chilling weather to be around each other once again. Our hands were intertwined the conversation jumping between us both. We were content with what we had. Nothing more nothing less.

Frost had established its place everywhere that it could in the village. Every step taken was echoed by the soft crunch of it, days were are short as they could be but it was all worth it. At the top of the hill, in the band stand where we were both as free as we could be, it was magical.

Ice, cold and the slivers of blue sky between cloud made for a breath taking view. Fields of icy grass lay ahead listening in the dulled sun. Still though, I did not let go of Ivy's hand, I kept it in mine allowing the warmth between our hands to contrast the cold everywhere else.

"I've never seen that look in your face anywhere else" ivy commented.

Her eyes were on me, I felt them. I felt them as stringy as you'd feel fire burning your skin

"Hmm? What are you on about now" I whined

She stopped for a second and continued staring, "that look right there"

"It's just as you look out at everything beyond" she added

Instantly I knew the look. I might not have been an easy person to read, nor did I have an expressive face in general. But I knew the look.

It was a particular brand of hope.

It was a hope for what was out there, what more there was for me. A hope that my future was there.