Finding Serenity

The Boy Next Door

When the sun had finally set, it was time for the kids to go home. The boy stood up and reached his hand to help her up. She took it and was suppressed at its warmth and how it flowed through her whole body. She didn't want to let go but he already had and put his hands in his pockets. She was sad but he offered to walk her home so she felt a little better.

Once they got to Rena's door, he smiled and told her that his grandparents lived in the house across the street. She felt herself start to smile but it wasn't very big. The boy said goodnight and waved as he crossed the street. She turned to head inside, not ready to be alone again, but then she heard him say something that gave her hope.

"Hey! Let's play tomorrow, OK Rena?!"

She quickly turned around to see him with a smile on his face. One that she couldn't help but return.

"Y-yes! Let's play tomorrow!" she stuttered out and quickly ran inside and shut the door. She suddenly felt really warm and a strange feeling was forming in her tummy. Maybe I'm just hungry. I did skip dinner.

The next day Rena was sitting in the windowsill that faced the boys house. She was reading her book so she didn't notice when he walked over. He saw her sitting in the window and couldn't help but smile. He quickly knocked on the door, eager to see her again. There was something about her that made him feel warm.

She jumped when she heard him knock but quickly ran to the door to open it. However, once it was opened she didn't know what to do. How do you play with friends?

He saw her hesitation so he smiled and grabbed her hand.

"Come on!" he said as he pulled her along.

He took her back down to the lake, to the spot she was sitting when they met.

"You like it here right?" he asked as they sat down.

She just nodded her head.

"Back to not talking? You're funny." He laughed, but quickly stopped when he saw her confused face. Then her face from yesterday flashed in his mind. He grew curious.

"Why... Why were you crying yesterday?"

She looked down as he asked that. She didn't want to talk about it but then again she didn't have anyone to talk to about it. If he wanted to be her friend then she wouldn't be alone anymore, right? So maybe it was OK.

"Ah, sorry if you–" he started to apologize but she finally spoke up.

"It.. Its the day my mom died. 2 years ago." She said quietly, tears threatening to spill. She brought her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around them, then rested her head on top.

"Oh. I'm.. sorry. Are.. You ok?"

Are you ok? Had anyone actually asked her that? She couldn't remember, but even if they had the words coming from this boy felt different.

She looked up at him, into his emerald green eyes. "N-no. B-but I want t-to b-be." She stuttered as the tears fell.

The next thing she knew was this boy had wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for a hug.

When was the last time she had been hugged? When was the last time she felt someone else's warmth? When was the last time someone cared?

She cried for a while and he just continued to hold her. When she finally stopped, he released her and they both sat back.

"T-Thank you. I feel better." she said, smiling at him.

"Good. I'm glad." He smiled back. "So, Do you want to be friends?" he asked.