Miss, Do I Know You?

13 - Saturday, November 28

The sun had barely begun its descent into the dreary sky as I bolted upright on the couch, my eyes darting toward the clock on the wall. My heart lurched in my chest as the digits glaring back at me mercilessly displayed a time far later than I had anticipated, and my nap had turned out longer than intended. Frustration mingled with anxiety, fueling a curse that escaped my lips in a hushed breath.

Wasting no more time, I flung off the blankets that were so reluctant to release me and hastily dressed. The streets, as ever, were silent and oblivious to my feverish strides as they propelled me toward the park. And it seemed that I had arrived with surprising punctuality, for the people I sought were nowhere to be found. 

But a gasp escaped my lips when something almost swept me off my feet. Laughter followed behind me. "You said soon!" Benji's voice exclaimed. "This isn't soon!"

Regret intertwined with relief as I mustered the warmest smile I could, looking down at him. "I'm sorry, kiddo. I think I caught a cold last week. I didn't want to get you sick too."

He took my hand, confidently smirking. "I don't get sick."

Before he could whisk me away, I halted his eager stride. And as soon as I focused on the uncannily similar faces of Alex and Gabi, I remembered something I had, in my absentminded rush, forgotten at home.

"Hey," Alex greeted with an amused smile. "Why are you so red?"

"I might have been running," I said with a lingering hint of breathlessness. "I was late."

She laughed, sweetly yet tinged with a sugar-coated edge of sarcasm. "That's a phrase I never thought to hear from you."

I put on a pout and redirected my gaze back to Benji. "Please save me from the mean lady, bird boy."

Benji laughed heartily, tugging me away at last. "Come. I brought my photos that I've taken since then."

Within his firm grip on my hand, we were off into a world of our own where time stealthily slipped away, carrying us far from the clutches of rigid expectations and any constraints of age. We laughed and chased each other around, weaved through the jungle gym and conquered the monkey bars I had not touched in many, many years. The coldness in my fingertips was forgotten because of the warmth that radiated from within. The chill of the wind was even more insignificant.

Time had worn away those years since I had last surrendered to such blissful abandon, and I basked in the sheer liberation it brought. The company of children had remained an uncharted territory throughout my life, with the exception of my many dolls of course, but Benji's presence was addicting, like a lungful of invigorating, sun-kissed air that filled my lungs with warmth and joy. His genuine enthusiasm for the simplest of things was a reminder to appreciate the small wonders that often went unnoticed. With every shared moment and every shared laugh, I fell deeper into his world's magic.

However, as the evening sun began to wane, so did my energy, and I had to step aside to catch my breath. With a beaming smile, I made my way to the sidelines, where Alex and Gabi sat talking amongst themselves and watching our antics.

"Have you ever broken a bone?" Alex questioned, making me raise an eyebrow and shake my head in denial. "Surprising."

"We might have a bet," Gabi said. "On whether you will break a bone or the playground first."

I laughed. "So, which of you wishes me to get hurt? I think I already know."

Benji's voice pierced through the air and captured our attention. "Mom?" he called out. "What's this one?"

All three of us leaned forth, straining our eyes to catch a glimpse of what he was holding. "We can't see anything," Alex said with a laugh. "Come closer."