Take Me To The Lakes

THREE

MARJORIE

"As the day advances, the heat of the sun is reflected by the hillsides, and we hear a faint but sweet music, where flows the rill released from its fetters, and the icicles are melting on the trees; and the nuthatch and partridge are heard and seen. The south wind melts the snow at noon, and the bare ground appears with its withered grass and leaves, and we are invigorated by the perfume which exhales from it, as by the scent of strong meats..."

Neil and I are about halfway through 'A Winter Walk' when I hear voices down the hallway beginning to get louder with their footsteps. Neil has his back on the bookshelf while he sits on my mother's yellow pillow. He's stroking the stitching on the side and staring at my hands holding the book. He has this smile on his face and a softness about him that's comforting. His brown eyes are full of chocolate and sweetness that I think I might get a cavity. My legs are crossed and on top of another pillow while I lean against the other side of the shelf, Neil's book sitting snugly in my lap.

The voices are now at their loudest and seem to be right outside the door. Neil furrows his brow before looking at the source. I start to make out the conversation when they turn the knob.

"I'm telling you guys, Neil said he was going to ask Keating a question, maybe they're still in here. Mr. Keating? Neil?"

The voice is energetic, powerful, and full of fun when he speaks. He seems so lively and bursting with love when he's talking to the others that leaves you with this abnormal heartbeat, excited for what is to come. I quickly get up, as if I have something to cover up from being in here with Neil, when the door flies open to reveal 5 boys standing in the frame.

"Mr. Keating, we-" The boy stops when he sees me first. The door had just enough power to keep swinging open and reveal Neil to the group shortly after.

"Neil? What's um- going on? Where's Keating?" A boy from the back asks. The one standing in front with a voice to shake the earth steps in with a small smirk on his face.

"Forget Keating. Who is this lovely girl, Neil?" The boy keeps his gaze on me without looking at Neil to ask the question. I let out a small giggle and turned to Neil to find him blushing and quickly trying to compose himself.

"Guys, this is Marjorie." Neil says quickly and gestures towards me with a small smile. Hearing him say my name again is enough to send this jolt up my spine and leave this warm feeling in my chest. I lift my hand to send a wave to all four of them and they're completely captivated by my small gesture. They all let out some type of response with shyness to each of them, murmuring things like, 'Hey', and 'Nice to meet you'. I put my hand down and there's a small silence before the boy in front speaks again.

"Charlie. Dalton." He extends his hand and I take it while laughing a bit and nodding. The smile he sends back is comforting and snug, like a blanket in the winter by the fire. I feel at home when he touches me and get second-hand high from the joy he has radiating off of him. When I release his grip, he steps back with the others and Neil speaks up.

"Marj was helping with the reading Keating assigned us and we were going over it together. He's been busy." Neil explains. The others light up when they hear Neil bring up the essay by Thoreau and I'm captivated by each response. They are so excited to talk about my father's assignments.

I knew he'd do just fine here. They absolutely love him.

"Oh good! We were coming to ask about it too. You know Thoreau?" Charlie asks. I nod.

"My father read me Thoreau since I was a kid. Know him like the back of my hand, to say the least." I reply. Charlie looks at the others and they smile back as he turns back toward me.