tattoos and photos

four.

4.

"Let's go deeper into the park," he suggested as she stomped out the last of the cancer stick.

She was hesitant with his invitation. People at school loved to trick her into following them away from crowds in order to pull nasty trick on her.

Like the time that pretty girl had convinced her to follow her into the bathroom at school, only to rip off her grandmothers necklace and throw it in the toilet. She still cringed when she thought about sticking her hand into that contaminated water to dig it out. She could still hear the girls cruel words and laughter that followed.

She studied his face and found no malicious intent in his eyes. She felt herself nod.

As they walked she pulled out her camera and took some pictures.

He wondered why she did it, but didn't bother asking. He didn't want to let himself wonder about her.

He didn't want to think about the way her ponytail moved when she walked, or how her hands shook when she tried to talk to him.

But he couldn't stop wondering.