Love Guardians Part 4: Love Bird

Perfect Bait

Eight years had passed since I saw her. It felt very strange, but I wanted to see her again. All those years of not seeing her made me want to see her more. My friends told me I should date girls, and I did. However, every night, when I was about to fall asleep, I would remember her. Chelsea, Miranda, and Danni were all cute, but I couldn't stop thinking about HER. Her cute smile, the way she called me adorable. I mean, other girls did the same, but there was something about the way she did those things.

I kept the last quarter she gave me because it was a reminder of why I had dreams of that night. I read things about her and how to find her. The bad news was I lost my last baby tooth the night I saw her, and that is the only way to attract her, the tooth fairy. There was no chance of finding her again. After some time, I slowly gave up.

I threw myself onto my bed and closed my eyes.

"Oh! Look at him!"

I practically jolted up. "Tooth Fairy!"

She gasped and stared at me. "Damian, this is just a dream."

"What?" I blinked and woke up. I sat up and looked around my moonlit room. I rolled my eyes and threw myself back, looking at my clock. My dreams would wake me up at 2:23 A.M., the same time I saw her when I was younger. I sigh as I turn in my bed.

There was never any sign of her. I closed my eyes, pressing my face against my pillow like if it was her cheek. I took very deep breaths and hoped to hear her voice. A whisper, a gasp, a greeting. Anything! I heard the distant chirps of crickets outside my window, but there was silence among those chirps. I didn't want to hear anything. I didn't even want to fall asleep anymore. 

I closed my eyes, hoping to hear her.

I just wanted to see her again.

                                                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Damian!" My mom pulled out my earbuds.

"Ow." My brows furrowed. "Yes, mom?" I blinked at my mom.

"Good, you're listening."

I forced a smile and nodded.

She studied my face and crossed her arms. "Please don't pout like that. Now, listen and just do what I tell you. I don't want to hear it. Just do it. Pack your things. You're going to Katy's house for the week."

"The neighbor?" I sighed. "Why? Is it because of grandma's call?"

"Yes." She rolled her eyes. "She wants to see your father and me. Apparently, it's another emergency. She's probably just afraid to pass gas again."

I paused, slowly thinking about what she said. I spoke slowly to her so I wouldn't repeat myself. "Wait, so I don't even get to see dad? Even though I haven't seen him in 3 months because of his business trip?"

"Those headphones didn't buy themselves." She placed a hand on my shoulder. "You understand though, don't you? Grandma asked for us, and I don't want to waste your time. I know that your spring break would be better spent here. I don't want you to be bored." Her brown hair swayed over her eye. She sent it back with a huff.

I sighed. "Yeah. I understand. Thanks for the consideration." I got off of the couch and walked upstairs to my room. My mom called me to go back downstairs, but I started packing. I looked out of my window and saw Katy playing with her daughter, Ella.

Ella's smile was bright and powerful; it made me smile. She reminded me of myself when I would play catch with my dad. But those days ended when he was promoted at work, and he had to travel a lot. He and I gradually stopped playing catch. I was the only one who noticed our time together began to vanish.