Hello Again

Day one

When one leaves behind a phase of their life, they may, of course, think about it on occasion, reminiscing on the good and bad parts of the whole thing but that's really all that happens. Sometimes you might listen to the music you did back then just for old times sake, or try to see what in your closet hasn't changed since then but I am going a different route. As the first silence I've experienced for weeks, graces my ears, I will explore my mind from years ago in order to find out why. Why, what? you may ask. I haven't the slightest clue myself.

Due to my decision to explore to depths of my thoughts while on a walk, it wasn't long in my wandering outside my home until I found myself hopelessly lost. The sun was setting at that point, my phone only on enough percentage to call 911 if I needed to but not enough to call for a ride home. What would I say, anyway? "I'm somewhere. Figure it out and pick me up."? Not particularly helpful. And who was I to call? My mother perhaps but I'd rather she didn't know I was lost. I couldn't call any friends as I had yet to make any. You see, we had just moved to a new area a few months ago and since I graduated early, there was really nowhere for me to meet people. So, I stood on a street corner in an unfamiliar suburb, watching the sunset and wondering how much more lost I was bound to get in the dark. I had no fears of being in danger since that was why we moved here in the first place. To live in a safer environment. Didn't mean I was by any means keen on the journey ahead.

Once I couldn't see the sun anymore behind the tuft of trees from the woods seemingly behind these people's front doors, I spun on my heel, staring at the ground and watching my green converse hit the pavement in slow, steady steps. When the street lights flickered on above me, I opted to keep my head up, being faintly proud of myself as I passed a house I had marked earlier as to avoid the situation I was in. No thoughts played in my head really, my ears and eyes being on high alert as I stuffed my hands further into the pockets of my coat. Subconsciously, I began to hum as I always do and as usual, I had no clue I was even doing it until I heard another voice start humming along with me. It was Fall, so the sun set a bit early which made me less wary of the new voice that had cut into my silent evening and made me make the unusual decision to look where it was coming from. I figured it would be another teenager on their way home from a friend's house due to the slightly youthful nature of the act itself, paired with a slightly higher voice. My suspicions were confirmed as I tilted my head to look across the street to be met with a pair of brown eyes that looked quite similar to my own.

Upon further inspection, I saw that the boy had a fluffy head of brown hair, as well as skin, paled to the point of being a sort of grey tone. Maybe that would concern others but I had previously had quite a few friends that had much worse coloring. As we hummed the tune now as one voice, the street developed an eerie feeling. I gave him another once-over, seeing a shine of orange hiding in the mess on his head and raising an eyebrow at the odd pattern combination of his earth-toned hoodie that looked worn to death. In surprisingly good condition, just definitely thinning at the elbows at the very least. I turned my attention back on the sidewalk in front of me as I saw the stoplight in the corner of my eye just up ahead. I believe I crossed this, then turned... or was it turn at the next one? I shook it off, knowing that confidence was the best option when in doubt. The boy had also come to a stop almost in unison with me at the light, leaning against the post and looking at me more intently. I didn't exactly feel like I was in danger, more amused at his fascination, so I gave him a little wave to which he returned, revealing a pair of black gloves. Odd. It's California. Any native knows it's much too hot to wear gloves and a jacket but of course, he could be new to the area just like me. Once again, I ignored it, crossing the street once I saw the little white man in the walking position indicating it was safe to do so. The boy mirrored my movements but continued to hum despite the fact I had stopped at the crosswalk a few steps behind.