Dream Boy

Ch4. Alive Yet Not Living

Nia Williams - P.O.V.

I love window shopping, it always helped me forget the real-world problems I had to face. It always brings me back to the time my dad and I were hanging out, I can't remember what we were talking about but he told me that it was better to wish for something than to never wish for anything at all.

It sounds like hope.

Looking at the beautiful jewelry on the display I ask him. "How have your first couple of days been here?"

"I like the people I've met so far." I feel his eyes on me piercing into my back. "How are you enjoying that jewelry?"

"Sorry, I just—for some reason feel—I don't know." I give an anxious laugh at myself being caught drifting away from the conversation, not that it wasn't obvious enough.

I continue to watch what is within the display, now looking at a blue pendant that seemed to draw me in for some reason but I don't take another look at it and continue to walk on but David only stands there looking back at himself. He looked sad for a moment as his eyes met the pendant but I didn't say a word.

I smiled up at him, making him chuckle. As we continued walking down Kian Street, I watched the cars pass by.

As the cool air blows the leaves off the ground, it's evident that winter is right around the corner. These thoughts bring up memories of my dad once again, and I realize I have one more place to show David, or I need to think. Taking his hand, I lead him across the empty street, and we continue walking until we arrive at the park. I sat on the swing. "This was one of the many places I used to go after my dad's death," I say as I look off into the distance and watch as a couple walks down the street, huddled close together for warmth. I was unwilling to meet David's gaze as he stood next to me. "It seems like a good place to think," I nod before he starts to push the swing.

"It really is. My dad and I used to hang out. Before Alex, he was my best friend and now, I have..."

"You're friends. Me."

"Yeah."

"This is nice." He sat down next to me in the other swing and for thirty minutes we sat there, in silence watching the street.

This... felt... right somehow.

He asked, "Where do you feel like eating tonight?"

"I hadn't thought about it," I said, letting my feet drop trying to stop myself which didn't do much, David went behind me and held onto the chains bringing me to a stop.

I could feel his chest on my back and his breath on my ear, my face became red as he asked. "What about the place we saw a few blocks back?"

"Fine by me. You're paying anyway!" I yell over my shoulder as I hurry in the other direction trying to get away from the emotion that just overtook me.

~ ꨄ ~

Walking into the diner I hook my arm in his and almost drag him down with me. "Seating for two." He said as we walked over to the front.

"Would you like a booth?"

"Anything the lady wants."

"Yeah, why not?"

"Here you are." The waiter, Lisa, said handing us our menus. "Right this way." After she guided us to our table, she left us to chat for a bit and decide on drinks.

"What are you gonna drink?" I ask, barely looking up at him over the menu.

"I'm just getting some water. How about you?"