From His Eyes

From his eyes (Chapter 14)

Chapter 14

Autumn

Looking at my mum, she lets me leave the table with a nod. "Don't come home late baby. It's already dark." She says while picking up a piece of chicken. Tonight, I have decided that I'm going to explore... even if my body is weak. Earlier I had thrown on a pair of leggings and a warm jumper. I slide open the sliding door and walk into the garden. It's late already, but I prefer not being able to be seen. I make my way through the pathway of colourful daisies and reach the small wooden gate that leads to the forest behind my house. Once I've closed the gate behind me, I walk straight into the dark woods. The long, lush branches send shivers up my spine. The wind whispers past me and for the first time in weeks... I feel alive. I let my heart lead the way... and in a matter of time, the city lights are nowhere to be found. I tilt my head up to the dark night sky. In the silence of the night, I suddenly hear a soft voice in the distance. My body sends long waves of fear through me, but something makes me walk closer to it. Curiosity maybe? I'm now a few feet from the voice but the closer I'm getting the more I realize it's somebody singing. I eventually get close enough to make out the words drifting through his mouth.

"I've been going through the motions... learning how to pretend... that everything is perfect..."

My whole body freezes. I hear the long sobs coming from his mouth through every few words. He is crying. What do I do? His soft voice cuts through the wind once more.

"And I've been sinking in an ocean... drowning but I'm silent... yet everyone thinks I'm afloat..."

His soft voice comes to a stop, and I hear him whisper something in the wind. "Forever from my eyes." The words linger for a long time before I gather the courage to step out of the shadows and into the moonlight beaming on his soft, curly hair. His eyes are closed, and his arms are tense at his sides. He hasn't heard me yet... and I'm a little scared. I open my mouth to speak but realize he might not hear me. I still try. "Your voice is beautiful," I say as loudly as I can, but it comes out more like a whisper. He must have heard me because he opens his eyes in alarm and stares at me. His eyes are a colour I have NEVER seen before. They are as dark as the deepest blue oceans. "I'm sorry if I startled you. My name is Autumn." He looks at me... confusion in his eyes. "I... I'm Cruz." I walk closer to him and sit down next to his tall silhouette. "I'm sorry if I scared you," I say while looking at the stars. I feel his body shift towards mine. His eyes stare into the darkness, and I see the redness caused by crying. "You weren't supposed to hear me sing. I thought I was alone." Waves of guilt take hold of me, and I slowly start getting up. I shouldn't be here. "But you're welcome to stay... you must be new." My body freezes. I look down at his shadowed face. "Yeah, I'm new. I only got here yesterday. Wait... how do you know?" He stands up, tall body towering over mine. "It's a small town and you don't go to school here." I take a moment to think about this. "You're right. But I should be starting school soon. BrightWave High?" He looks at me, a small grin spreading on his face. "There aren't many schools in this tiny town, and most of the locals go there." So, I'll take that as a yes... he goes there. The air is getting colder, and I feel my hands slowly start to shiver. I look down and see my legs, shaking in the wind. He must have notest it too because he pulls his jumper over his head and passes it to me. "You look cold... I thought this might help." I feel the warmth of the fabric and throw it over my head. It falls to my knees, and I let out a giggle. "Its like a dress... but it works. Thank you." I smell a strong  orange scent and realize it's the jumper I have over my cold body. What? "Not to be rude but why does it smell like oranges?" He lets out an exaggerated sigh. "My shampoo..." he trails off. I feel a flutter of giggles climbing up my throat. "Not a fan?" I say softly. He smiles at this. "You can tell hey?" and we both start laughing. "See you around then? Hopefully when you start school..."

"Yeah totally." He turns and starts walking back into the woods. I watch his body fade into a shadow and I just stand where I am, not moving a muscle.