The Rarest Gem

Chapter Three

Tristan

The water in the creek no longer has my attention. I'm too busy trying to pull myself together and possibly have a conversation with this guy who just randomly approached me.

God, this is embarrassing.

Logan, he said his name was Logan.

"Soo... Long day, I'm guessing?"

"Yeah, you know...just family stuff..."

"Sorry man... I get it. Family can be tough sometimes, but don't let it get you down."

"I mean, this is the best time of the year, don't you think?"

I notice his eyes surveying the park and taking everything in.

"Just look at this park. It's beautiful, so colorful, like, look at that tree over there for a second..."

I direct my gaze in the direction his finger is pointing. It's a red maple. I know this because I've always loved these trees in particular, so I've researched them in the past. I used to collect the leaves. The ways the colors blend throughout them have always been so mesmerizing to me.

"It is beautiful," I respond, now getting lost in the enchanting essence of the park.

My problems seem so insignificant at this moment now that I'm drawn in by the beauty of the view surrounding me.

"See, not so bad." He chuckles and I feel a light push on my shoulder.

My attention breaks away from the landscape of the park, and that's when I notice him, but really notice him this time.

I take a second to take him in. He's not like the other guys around here; he's a bit more... edgy, yeah, that's it, he has an edge.

His clothes are loose-fitted and tattered, but I think it's on purpose. I think it's his style.

His black and curly hair has what appears to be a single dread towards the back, and he has decorated it with colorful beads.

His eyes are dark, a unique shade of brown right on the cusp of black, with a wet glow that's unexplainably calling to my soul.

The sweet scent wafting through the air must be emanating from his skin, some type of cologne or body oil that smells entirely magical.

He's wearing eyeliner and a lot of random jewelry, and my eyes dart from piece to piece, taking it all in.

Several necklaces dangle from his neck, and as he adjusts one of his crystal pendants, I can't help but notice the several bracelets and rings he is also sporting, all decorated with some type of unfamiliar symbolism or gemstone.

I can tell he is spiritual, and I find it intriguing, utterly intriguing.

"Uh, Tristan, you, ok?"

I laugh nervously and redirect my eyes quickly to the ground.

"Yeah, sorry, just... uh, your necklaces are pretty cool. I kind of have a crystal collection of my own..."

Ugh, that was stupid. See, this is why you have no friends.

Who wants to talk to a grown man who collects crystals?

"Really? No way! You should come check out my mom's shop sometime. We actually just moved here. Most of the pieces I'm wearing I've gotten from her shop or made myself."

He pulls what looks like a business card from his back pocket, and I feel my face break out into a huge grin as I reach out to take it.

Maybe it's not such a bad day after all...