As You Are // H.S

Two.

Alexis Cooper.

I was never one to be scared of the woods, even late at night when the only sounds is the wind flowing freely through the trees, and the ground crunching beneath your shoes. It brought me peace, made me feel at ease, like I could finally take a full breath with no stress on my shoulders.

I took a seat in the middle of the bridge along the small creek that flowed through the woods, I cross my legs and let my journal sit on my lap, the small lamp posts illuminating the small bridge helping to see my drawings and writing properly.

After about 45 minutes I could hear footsteps behind me, I froze, shocked, I never see anybody out here after dark. I could faintly see somebody in the distance running towards the bridge. I could see him clearly now, clad in Nike joggers and a sweater zipped up, hood on, headphones in. Once he got to the bridge he came to an abrupt stop, leaning down resting his hands on his knees taking a few loud breaths before standing up straight, looking me straight in the eye with a confused look. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Woah, I didn't think anyone else came out here." He says, more to himself. I just smile, not feeling threatened by the stranger, he doesn't look much older than myself. He gestures to the bridge, silently asking permission to take a seat, I smile and nod. He sits next to me, putting his legs through the dividers of the bridge, letting them dangle down freely.

He pulled his hood down from his head, and I looked at him, dark curls framing his face, coming down to the back of his neck, pulled out of his face with a green head wrap, forest green eyes, and a sharp jawline, I'd be lying straight through my teeth if I said he wasn't attractive.

He cleared his throat, taking his eyes away from the creek and looking back at me. "M'names Harry" it suits him. "- And no, I'm not a murderer, I'm just taking a late night run, clears the head, you know?" Before he even introduced himself, I knew he wasn't looking to hurt me, you could tell a lot about a person by their posture, and their eyes, he had an innocent look to his eyes, and he had a relaxed, calm posture. He looked, peaceful.

"I'm Alexis, I know exactly what you mean, I'm here all the time, I'm surprised I've never seen you here." I extended my arm to him, he took it and gave me a quick informal hand shake.

"I never run this side of the woods, but I kind of got lost in my thoughts and must have took a different path to usual." He says, looking down, letting go of my hand to scratch the back of his neck, before continuing "So, uh - what are you doing out here so late?"

I nod my head at my journal, "writing and drawing" I shrug. He just nods. I smile, as I was expecting him to be intrusive and would want to see, like my friends always do, but he doesn't and I like that. I clear my throat and check my watch, seeing that its just past midnight. "I'm sorry, but should probably head off, I have to work tomorrow."

"That's okay, whereabouts do you work?" He asks quietly.

"I work at the Vet Clinic, just as an assistant, but also work at the second-hand book store down town on the weekends." He smiles, "that's really cool, anyway I'll let you head off, I- uh h-hope to see you around." he lets out shyly, I smile and breathe out a short "me too" before standing up. "It was nice meeting you, Harry."

"You too Alexis." with that I stand up and head back home, with a smile on my face.

Harry was so nice and calm, he made me feel even more relaxed because he was one of the only people around me in a long time that hadn't been stressing or yelling. I wasn't a really shy person, or scared to share my opinion, but I'm a closed off person. I can tell Harry is shy and calm, I like that.