Fall Into Me

6 | Corrupting Innocent Minds

Theodore Elias Woods

True to her word, Theia showed up on Sunday for our morning walk.

She showed up wearing grey sweatpants and a large black t-shirt with the words, "I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested," printed on it. Weird girl.

But what's even weirder is how all my senses jumped up with joy when I saw her this morning. I've been trying to come up with a reason for it and guess what? I've been failing miserably.

So instead I've resorted to thinking about why we've been walking in complete silence for the past few minutes. I'm pretty sure it's about the text I sent her the other day. In my defence, I may not have been particularly lucid when I sent it.

Holding onto her arm, I wait for her to ask me about it but when she doesn't, I start.

"Sorry if you got weirded out by my message the other day."

She pauses for a beat and looks at me.

The morning light hits her in the perfect angle, creating a golden halo around her. What I believed to be honey brown eyes look as dark as a clear night sky, the tiny specs of yellow resembling the stars. I can feel them beckoning me to get lost in them for an eternity.

Her voice brings me back to ground. "Oh, yeah. I was a bit. Wasn't really sure if that's how people normally text." She lets out a little laugh. "But don't worry, it's not a big deal."

"Hm, I was kinda drugged up when I sent it. So, yeah, sorry if it came out creepy." Theia stops abruptly.

"Drugged up?"

"Oh, no. Not like drugs drugs!" I clear up quickly. "I accidentally bumped my knee that evening and I took a few painkillers and they kinda messed with my head for a little while." Letting out a nervous laugh, I tug Theia along to continue our walk.

"Oh." She thinks for a moment before speaking up again. "Is it alright now? We can rest for a bit if you want."

Eh, I'd rather walk around holding onto the pretty girl next to me. "No, it's fine. I really want to walk, it feels better." She hums in response.

After a few more seconds of silence with only the sounds of birds chirping, Theia speaks, "so, are you done with all your packing?"

It's my turn to be confused. "Packing for what, Theia-girl?"

"University. I heard you got into UBC?" Oh.

I scratch the back of my neck with my free hand. "Yeah, no. I deferred." I take in a sharp breath, "you know, taking a year off to get beck in shape."

"Oh," she drags out. So I continue.

"Yep, that means you and I are gonna be bumping into each other a whole lot more this year," I say cheerily, giving her a little wink and Theia mutters a teasing, "Oh, that's just... awesome." With a little blush on her cheek.

O/--(

It's been a couple weeks now, and Theia and I have made it our little routine to go for a walk almost every morning. I'd be lying if I said that our walks are not, more or less, the best part of my day.

There's something so peaceful and serene about walking among the trees, feeling the morning sun cradle your skin, and listening to the birds sing all around you.

Well, I used to listen to the birds sing. I discovered on my fourth walk with Theia that she blasts music on her earbuds tucked under her hair.

But, my favourite part? After a couple days, she lent me one to listen with her. We now listen to everything from Hozier to Cigarettes After Sex to Adele.