Cold Water

SEVEN

                    ♡BRANDON♡

   Walking back from the park with Athalia felt different from the usual routine. Normally, I'd head home in silence, my mind heavy with thoughts I'd never share.

   But today, it was lighter—like a small part of me had shifted without me even realizing it.

   Athalia walked beside me, her energy still buzzing quietly as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the sidewalk.

  She didn't talk much on the way back, but I could feel her presence beside me, warm and constant.

   Every now and then, she'd glance over, her chestnut brown eyes sparkling in the fading sunlight, and I could tell she was still riding the high of our time at the park.

  When we reached the corner where our paths split, she slowed down.

  "So... I guess this is me," she said, nodding toward her street. "Thanks for coming today, Brandon. I know I kind of dragged you along, but it was fun, right?"

  I stopped and glanced at her, nodding. "Yeah, it was."

  Her smile widened, and for a second, it was like the whole world paused, just to make room for the brightness in her face.

  "Okay, cool. I'll text you about Saturday, then. Don't forget!"

  "I won't," I said quietly, though in the back of my mind, I was still wondering if I'd actually show up.

  But I didn't say that. Instead, I watched as she gave me a little wave and started down her street, her curly hair bouncing with each step.

  As I turned and walked the rest of the way home, I thought about how easy it was for her to smile.

  How effortlessly she made life seem brighter, even for someone like me, who had spent years in the dark. She had a way of making things feel... less overwhelming.

  By the time I reached the house, the smell of dinner hit me before I even opened the door.

  Aunt Dina was in the kitchen, humming softly to herself as she stirred something on the stove.

  I stepped inside, closing the door behind me, and for a moment, just stood there, taking in the scene.

  "Hey there," she called over her shoulder. "You're later than usual, everything okay?"

  I hesitated for a second, the words almost sticking in my throat. "Yeah, just...went to the park."She glanced back at me, her expression softening.

  "Good. I'm glad."I nodded and slipped past her into the hallway, heading straight for my room.

  As soon as I closed the door behind me, I tossed my bag onto the floor and flopped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
 
   My mind wandered back to Athalia and the park. The way she'd talked about photography, how she saw the world in colours and light. She was different from anyone I'd met before.

  I reached for my sketchbook, flipping through the pages until I found the drawing I'd started at the park.The girl by the riverbank bathed in sunlight.

  I ran my fingers over the lines, thinking about how she'd smiled when she saw it.

   She'd said it was personal, that it meant something. And maybe it did more than I'd realized.

  I set the sketchbook aside and looked out the window, noticing how the colours of the sunset were fading into deep oranges and pinks.

  I hadn't really paid attention to sunsets before, but now... now they reminded me of her.

After a while, I heard her call from the kitchen, "Brandon! Dinner's ready!"

I looked at the sky one last time, heading downstairs. The smell of roasted chicken filled the air as I sat at the table.

Aunt Dina set down a plate in front of me and joined me with a soft smile. "So, how was school today?"

"Fine," I mumbled, not really wanting to dive into the details.

"Did you go to the park alone?"

I hesitate. I mean, it's just a simple, harmless question.

"No... I went with a classmate."

"Does this classmate have a name?" She asks, although I think she knows it's her.

  "Athalia." I say quietly. She nods.

  She gave me a knowing look but didn't press.

  We ate in comfortable silence, and then, in the middle of dinner, my phone buzzed.

  I glanced down, seeing unknown flash on the screen. I unlocked my phone and read the message.

  "Hey, it's Athalia. Just wanted to make sure you gave me the right number. ;)"

  I quietly chuckle at that. How could I give her the wrong number?

"Who's that?" Aunt Dina's voice broke through my thoughts.

I looked up, catching the hint of curiosity in her eyes.

She'd noticed."Just... a classmate," I said, trying to play it off.

  But the smile lingered, and I could tell Aunt Dina had picked up on more than I was letting on.

  Dinner passed in a blur of conversation and the warmth of Aunt Dina's home-cooked meal, but my mind kept drifting back to my phone.

  Between bites, I kept glancing at it, waiting for Athalia's replies. Each ping brought a small thrill, and soon, we were caught up in a back-and-forth conversation, which felt surprisingly easy.

  Well, it was hard on my part even though I was giving one word replies or a short sentence.

  I was overthinking each reply. I was a texting someone. That's something I haven't done in a very long time.

She told me she's home alone right now cause her mom is working late.

We exchanged a final goodnight before I set my phone aside, feeling a contented smile still lingering on my face.

  The conversation had been a pleasant distraction, a chance to connect in a way I hadn't expected.

  As I turned off the lights and settled into bed, I found myself looking forward to tomorrow.

♥︎♡♡♡♡♡♡