The tale of two scales

two people and a long plank of wood

Aspen didn't know what to do, he stood there for a couple of seconds before running back to the stall and continuing his work, all the while a sick feeling settled at the bottom of his stomach. 

Laying in his bed that night, he was torn, should he go and meet Toni? or should he just sleep and get rest, ignore her until she goes away? All throughout the night aspen tossed and turned trying to find a comfortable position to block out the thoughts, But his mind thought otherwise. The sheets were too tight, it was too warm, too cold. The waves were crashing outside, he felt a strong pulling towards them, putting his hands over his ears and blocking out the noise, he let himself relax. Finally as he let his mind drift off into the abyss he made a final decision. 

The strips of sunlight woke aspen up, early and tired, the sky still had a pink blanket covering the bright blue. His breath hitched as he realised he woke up at dawn, and he already made his decision last night. 

Swallowing the tight lump in his throat he got up and dressed, putting on his favourite red jacket, and his lucky pink socks. Aspen climbed out the window getting ready to face whatever the day threw at him. Just in case his mother worried a little more than usual, he left a not of his bed saying that he will be going out for a swim. Hopefully that might ease the tension between the two and prevent another outburst from his mother. 

Walking along the grassy area towards the front harbour he noticed someone sitting there. They were big and tall, yet slouched, as though they were afraid of their own height. It didn't take over a second to notice the thick curly hair running down the persons back for aspen to know that it was Toni. Her legs swaying gently in the water, aspen wondered why she didn't take her socks off, it must be uncomfortable. The glowing of the sun reflected round her body, giving off the impression that she was noting but a dream, an imagination that aspen made up himself. 

Maybe that's what it is, maybe all of this is just an illusion, and his dad knocked him out so hard that he's died and gone to heaven...or hell. Just thinking about his dad made shivers run through his spine, trying to distract the thoughts in his head and hopefully not leading to another panic attack of the week aspen walked towards the girl sitting on the edge of the dock. 

"Isn't that uncomfortable?" 

Toni jumped at the sight of the small male. Her hands in a fighting stance. When she realised it was just aspen, she relaxed, looking around suspiciously for any others. Aspen seemed to read her mind when he explained:

"Don't worry its just me, nobody wakes up at this hour in Potorosso, especially on a Sunday" 

"Right" Toni looked back at aspen before a tight feeling in her chest grew a little bit tighter, meeting aspen this early in the morning wasn't a good idea but she'd said it in a hurry and didn't want to be caught. The morning sunlight reflected round his body, his eyes glowed like fireflies, it was beautiful, he was beautiful. 

"So um w-why did you want to m-meet me?" Aspen turned Toni's attention back to him and not around him. 

"Oh, oh uh i-" Toni didn't actually now why she told him to meet her. She just wanted to meet him again, so it wasn't very nice to be untruthful. 

"I just wanted to see you again" 

"Oh" 

They sat in silence for a few minutes Not know what to say and waiting for the other to speak. 

"Um, well i guess we should start with introductions" Aspen looked up at her, his wide eyes melting her heart. 

"Im Toni. Toni Mooreland" She stuck out her hand, it was large compared to aspens.