𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 ⋆ d. hoffman

𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 ⋆

subchapter IV.

UPCOMING...

I copy his motions and he clapped it?
"You don't know what you're doing, do you?" He asks me with some amusement tone in him.
"Will you laugh if I say I don't," I sigh.
"Yes. Yes I will," he holds in his laugh and composes his posture.
"Then, I know what I'm doing," I say with fake confidence.

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— AGAIN

The tomatoes weren't pleasant to be around, but I have to harvest them. I did not enjoy tomatoes and will never. However, the taste of tomatoes in food is pretty good. Like tomato soup or lasagna or even spaghetti is good. Basically in sauces.
It's been a week since the incident with Dylan and Judd. I don't know the feeling, but kind of missed their presence. It was much different than being around the same three people all my life. They haven't messaged or anything, so I'm kind of losing hope. I don't know why I'm so interested in the topic.
"Pris, did you get the fallen tomatoes?" My father shouted from the porch.
I give him a thumbs up as I look at him under my straw hat under the blazing sun.
"Bring them in when you're done. I'm going to check for any illnesses on the animals. You know how it is," he waves me off as he walks over to the horse stables.
When it's winter, many animals get ill and change colors, so we have to check on them sometimes.
I take the tomatoes back to the house and place them on the counter.
"I got those tomatoes you wanted. I also added some of the lettuce. I'm gonna go out," I tell her as I wash my hands.
"Go out where?" She questions me.
"The lake. Maybe fishing while at it," I shrug.
"Yeah, alright. Be safe," she says still warily.
There's another lake across our home that's for fishing, so that's a good cover up. Can't have them knowing where I'm at most of the time.

I make my way to through the green bushes and brown trees. It was just the same as the other day with Harper. I made sure that girl actually stays out, so she doesn't get in trouble and I don't get in trouble for many reasons.
     The birds were quiet here. Not those crow birds that caw caw everyday, but just the soft chirping ones.
I see my usual set up on the ground. I look sound before I decide to sit down. It will be a habit now that I'm paranoid. I just wish to have something for myself. Why do I have to share everything? I'm not greedy or selfish, I wouldn't say that. I don't know how to word it, but it's not that.

     Something feels different.

I look down at my blanket and see that it's been moved. Was it an animal?
     whooooshh
I look back up to see what that was. Just the wind. My eyes avert to the motion in the distance. Was that a person?
     "Harper??" I call out to the unknown person or thing. Should I walk to it?

And that is what I did. However, it didn't take long before whatever it was had emerged from the trees.
I recognize the tall figure with wavy blonde hair.
"Dylan?" I ask out loud.
The person looks at me with a surprise on their face.
"Oh sh*t, hey priscilla. Long time no see," he says calmly.
"What are you doing here," I ask.
"Missed the place. Judd went out to the car to grab the towels," he tells me.
"You can't be here. Remember? Private property," I remind him of the fact.
He shakes his head.
"Loosen up. It's just having fun," he says, "oh by the way, your number is baloney."
I look up at him confused, "Im sorry?"
"We tried to contact you, but your number just never worked," he tells me.
I think for a minute. Hm. Well, that answered something of why I never heard from them.
     "Oh, I thought you guys just didn't care about that, and forgot," I told them the truth. I always told the truth when I could. There's no point in lying at all, what's the fun of that.
"No way! You're pretty cool to be around even with the weird lifestyle," he laughs.

     "Oh! No way!! Priscilla, you're here," a voice chimes in excitedly behind Dylan.
"Hey, Judd," I smile at him.
He is an interesting being. Quite the character.
     Judd tosses a towel to Dylan as he places it on the ground— taking his top off. Judd followed along.
     "Are you guys actually going to swim in that cold lake," I ask them dumbfounded.
"Yes, we are!" Judd laughs as he cannonballs off the wooden deck.
     "You wanna join us, sunshine?" Dylan looks back at me before jumping in the lake.
"Sunshine?" I look down, mumbling to myself confused. Whats that supposed to mean?

Dylan emerges from underwater.
"Come on! It's actually really warm," he shouts.
I shake my head.
"Yeah, I'll pass... thanks," I say cautiously. I don't trust that water. It may look blue and clear, but germs still linger.
"Don't be a party pooper," Judd exclaims.
"You guys crashed my quiet time here," I remark.
Dylan swims over to the shoreland— where I was.
I cross my arms, waiting for what he has to say next.
"You want to come hang out with me and Judd later today? And our other friends," he asks me.
When he asked me that it felt strange. Different and alive.
"I don't think so... my parents would never agree to that," I tell him saddened.
"Then don't ask. Just come. We'll bring you back before they suspect a thing. Or I will," he tells me quietly.
Would that be a good idea? I would love to actually hang in the city and explore it. Instead of grabbing groceries and leaving immediately.
"What time is it?" I ask him.
"4:36," he responds.
"Bring me back at 8, and you have a deal," I smile.
"Attagirl! Thats the excitement you need," he exclaims as he raises his hand. For a handshake? Also, why is he acting like I'm a dog. What?

I copy his motions and he clapped it?
"You don't know what you're doing, do you?" He asks me with some amusement tone in him.
"Will you laugh if I say I don't," I sigh.
"Yes. Yes I will," he holds in his laugh and composes his posture.
"Then, I know what I'm doing," I say with fake confidence.

He turns around to face Judd.
"Guess who we're bringing on our adventure!"
Judd's face lightens up as he splashes the water up in the air.
"That's so dope!"

Will I regret this? Probably not. They seem like they know what fun is.
Please God, don't get me in trouble.

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[08.06.24]