𝕋ℝ𝔸ℕ𝕊𝔸

𝙺𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙸: 𝙶𝚒𝚛𝚕 𝙸𝚗 𝚊 𝙳𝚘𝚕𝚕'𝚜 𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚎

I don't usually wake up energetic. I don't think I could pinpoint the last time I did. Today, however, was different. I woke up happy, ready for the day, ready to see you.

I peeked out my bedroom window and into yours in the house over. You were already awake and dressed, an early riser as always. You didn't notice me waving; you seemed so focused. Your attention was pulled by invisible chains to a paper on your desk, and you were scribbling away. I wasn't sure if you were drawing or writing, but it was something intense.

You jumped out of your seat, tossed the paper onto your bed, crumpled it in the process, then grabbed your bag and ran out of your room. I imagined multiple scenarios as to why you left in a hurry, my daydreaming interrupted by the sound of a stone hitting my window.

I flinched and looked out to see you, Bruno, standing there happily. The orange hue of your red hair was vibrant in the golden hour of sunrise. It's almost cliché, but I love it nonetheless.

I waved you inside as you turned down the music in your earbuds from the loud drums of an indie rock band to the slow guitar of a folk band, lowering the volume along with it.

You let out a soft "Hey" and threw your earbuds into your front pocket.

"Hey, Bruno, how are you?"

You waited a moment to answer. "I'm doing well, only just woke up, so not much to say on that."

I nodded. "Well, I'm glad you're doing well, Bruno."

You waited again before asking me how I was, and I replied similarly. You stood there, then sat down on the couch.

"Is your mom not home?" you asked.

"No, she's got work earlier than usual. She swapped to the morning shift so she could be home in time to cook dinner."

You nodded, then opened your bag, pulled out a small notebook, and scribbled away.

"What are you writing?" I asked.

You replied slowly, "I'm not honestly sure, just whatever comes to mind." Your face then lit up as you remembered something and quickly went for your bag again, pulling out a Ziploc bag. "I know you like those breakfast sandwiches my mom used to make. She decided to give it another go today, so I snuck one for you."

I took it hesitantly. "That's quite kind of you, Bruno. Are you sure?"

You nodded. "Kat, of course, it's just a sandwich."

I laughed and dismissed my previous comment.

I grabbed my bag and slipped on a pair of shoes. "Are you ready to leave, Bruno?"

You nodded and stood up, seeming dismissive as you waited for me to walk so you could follow. I started walking.

"Is something wrong today, Bruno? You seem quiet," I asked as we approached a little cobblestone bridge over the creek on Florence.

You paused before answering, all your hesitancy and nervousness from earlier becoming apparent. You'd think I'd notice it sooner; you'd think I'd know what it looks like from the outside.

You nodded. "Yeah, I'm just thinking."

"What about?" I asked.

Your eyes drifted around as if looking for an explanation in the surrounding foliage. "I don't know, to be honest with you, Kat. It's just thoughts, words, nothing to worry about."

You changed the topic so quickly, so easily, to something so stupid and random I shouldn't have let you do it, but I believed your reassurances. Pulling something out of your pocket, you said, "Sucker? They're birthday cake flavored."

I took one. "Sure, thank you."

We kept walking.