Sally & Jackson

Chapter 8

I closed the door as I walked back in and almost jumped at the sight of my mother.

"Mom!" I yelled. "You scared me."

She wore a huge grin on her face, and it made me suddenly aware of my surroundings. Did something happen?

"Mom. What wrong?"

"With what?" She replied nonchalantly. I gestured at the smile on her face, and she chuckled.

"Was that your friend?"

Of course. How did I not notice it? I groaned as I headed for the kitchen and opened the fridge.

"All I'm going to say is that I like her. She has somehow brought you back to life."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I arched an eyebrow at her.

"You just seem more yourself these days, and I love it," she said before walking into the living room, leaving her words to sink deep into my mind. I mean, she wasn't wrong; ever since I met Sally, I've seen the world more differently than before.

That night, I laid in bed and thought back to skipping class, riding the bike to the park, and everything that came with it. I picked up my phone to take a look at the pictures I took of her. And once again, I was mesmerized. I opened the notes app on my phone and wrote:

She is sunlight, she is rain, she is everything all at once, and I want nothing but to dive deep into her, even if it is my undoing.

Eventually, I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I went to the garage and took out the bike that has been sitting there for ages. I had made up my mind to secretly learn how to ride a bike. Fast-forward to the next couple of days; I'd fallen off over and over again, yet here I was still trying over again. Whatever luck I had back at the park, it seemed to have run out. I rode for a couple of seconds and fell.

"You okay?" A dark figure loomed over me.

"Uhh... yeah," I managed to get back on my feet. It was a boy.

"I believe this is yours." He handed me my glasses, and I put them on to get a clearer view of his face. He looked very familiar.

"I'm sorry. Have we met before?"

He frowned at me. "We take English together. You helped me ace my test one-time."

That last part does sound like something I'd do.

"I'm sorry, I don't remember," I chuckled nervously. I'd have to give it more thought, but right now, my elbow hurts.

"Asher." He smiled.

"Jackson," I replied.

"See you around Jackson." He continued jogging.

That was very interesting. I'll definitely keep an eye out for him next time because I do remember this one time where I saw someone basically give up during the test and I just couldn't sit still and not do anything, so I helped them. It was him. I chuckled at the memory as I picked up the bike and decided to walk the rest of the journey. I dumped the bicycle back in the garage and made a decision to not pick it up again. I had a cut on my elbow, and I had to treat it myself. I was disinfecting it when my phone buzzed.

"You're picking where we're going." The message read, and I couldn't help but smile at it. It took a few moments for the anxiety to set in, and when it did, I was a mess. I didn't know where to take her; what if she doesn't like it? What if they're closed? What if she doesn't even show up?

I gave it some thought for a little while until an idea came to mind.

"How do you feel about going to the fair?"