He's That Summer Breeze

Standing in the streetlight

My first week at Nowhere in Particular started out quite eventful, if I must say so myself. It was full of laughs, punches, drawings, milkshakes, redheads that talk a-lot, soccer, a treehouse, and to put the cherry on top... The guitar. But, the rest of the week wasn't anything more than Zach and I hanging out with Charlie in the treehouse just talking, me playing the guitar and all of us going outside to play soccer. It was fun and memorable even though those moments weren't anything big, they were just things to remember. Charlie became quick friends with me and Zach. He liked to play soccer, read, listen to music, and the annual Country Festival.

I looked up from my book and and asked,"Charlie?"

Zach and Charlie were kicking a soccer ball around Uncle Clarion's yard and I was reclined against a tree. Charlie stopped the ball with his foot and turned towards me,"Yeah."

"What's the annual Country Festival?" The annual made the country festival part sound important.

"It's a festival that the town has every summer." Hint the annual is kinda obvious,"You get to eat food, play games, and a lot of dancing." He smiled when he named the list.

How exciting! "Ooh that sounds fun! When is it?"

"In about two weeks." Charlie casually stated.

"I can't wait! Is it really as exciting as it sounds?" I had to know, because sometimes things that seem exciting turn out to be just another dull moment.

He looked kind of shocked? "Yeah definitely. Everybody in the town comes, and it's a time when everybody comes together and can just be themselves. No one comes up and sticks a label on your forehead. You know what I mean?"

I contemplated what he said. That would be nice. Never to be judged or have as much insecurities as usual. I closed my eyes and just thought about it. It was almost too good to be true.

Later that evening it was just me, Zach, and Uncle Clarion. We ate at Sam's Got Grub again and to a nice walk back home in the warm evening breeze. We talked about our first few nights at Nowhere in Particular and the new friends we have made. Uncle Clarion felt around in his pocket and was searching for something,"Aww shucks, I can't find my wallet! You two go ahead I'm gonna head back to the resturaunt, maybe Rachael's seen it." He walked off back to the resturaunt leaving Zach and I by ourselves walking back to the house.

The sun was disappearing and the moon was already in the sky. We stood under a streetlamp that lit up a short distance around us. This has been the first time in what seemed like forever that Zach and I have been alone,"So, how are you liking Charlie?" I broke the silence hoping that I didn't make it too awkward.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and slowly started walking,"He's really cool. We have a lot in common, and soccer."

"Same with me, except- you know... The soccer part." I had to make this awkward. Note to self: quit your awkward habits! It was weird not having a conversation. Usually they came so quickly and easily, but right now it seemed so... Quiet.

Suddenly an urge hit me, I don't know what rushed through me, but it did. I leaped on my tip-toes, flung my arms around Zach's neck and just hugged him. He seemed surprised because he stumbled backward a bit from the 'impact' . I didn't feel obliged to hug him because it was just awkward, I just missed him a lot, and yet we've been together this whole time. He hesitated but slowly wrapped his arms around me and hugged me back. His arms were strong around me, and his squeeze was a little tighter,"I'm sorry..." I quietly into his shoulder.

"Don't apologize," he said back to me.

"I'm acting stupid it's just- it's just, I've missed you..." I trailed off silently.

"I know what you mean. Even though we've been together this whole time... I've missed you too." He loosened his arms around me and pulled back to look at me. I looked up at him and got lost in his hazel eyes. They looked like shimmering gold in the streetlight. It seemed like we had been straring at each other for a while and I gave him one last squeeze. I let my arms go, but he hesitated before he decided to let go of me. We continued to walk back down the road and back to the house. We talked little, but it was just recalling what we experienced this week. We finally came to the front door and when I reached to open it Zach stood in front of me and look down at his feet,"Uh Callia... Can I ask you something?"

I looked at him curiously, but he didn't look up,"Yeah, anything. What is it?"

He looked nervous, and well really nervous,"Do you... Do you- Uh- like- um... Charlie?"

What kind of question is that? Wait... What does he mean do I like Charlie? Does he think I have feelings for Charlie? "Well yeah, but only as a good friend."

Zach let out a quick breath of what seemed to be relief,"Oh."

"Why?" I wondered.

"I don't know, I was just curious." he casually stated as if it was just another conversation back in our field.

"Ok. Well I'm getting kind of sleepy, I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight." I was there waiting to see if he would say anything more, but we just stood there and then in the silence he whispered,"Goodnight Callia."