A Little Bit Stronger

Chapter Seven

     I woke up that morning with a smile on my face for once. This is the first time for quite awhile that I am looking forward to going to school. Last night, I actually had a good night's sleep and I woke refreshed and ready to face whatever lay ahead of me.

     On my way to school my thoughts began to wander to Parker. The more I walked the more I started to worry about him. Not that I fully believed he sad cruel intentions and that is why he was attempting to befriend me, but because I was expecting so much. I haven't actually talked to the boy and I'm already in the mindset that there will be something between us. I don't know which will hurt more, rejection or not trying.

     I stopped at the park as I do everyday and climbed into my tree. I gazed up at the sky and watched it slowly change from the pinks and oranges of sunrise to the bright blue of early morning. This was my favorite part of the day. Feeling the warm air, still crisp with the last bits of dawn on my face. The faint sounds of the animals awakening or returning to their homes for the night. The sky wrapping me in comfort as I sit alone with my thoughts. In this tree in the park was the one place that I didn't feel afraid and I could let my thoughts wander to sweet nothings I would never let myself otherwise imagine.

     After some time passed I heard footsteps approaching the base of the tree. Assuming no one would notice me up here I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the rough bark of the branch. I was calm and stable until the loud voice startled me.

     "Lacey? What are you doing up there?" Taken by surprise, I jumped and lost my balance on the branch. I could feel myself falling and to no avail, tried to catch myself. I braced myself for the impact that never came. I cold feel strong arms around me and opened my eyes to see that Parker had caught me.

     "Guess you literally fell for me huh?" he said with a laugh, please at his terrible joke.

     "That sounds like a line off a really bad chick flick" I said in response. H laughed slightly and set me down.

     "So do you always fall out of trees or is this a new thing?" he asked jokingly.

     "Its a real adrenaline rush" I laughed. He laughed at my response and started walking in the direction of school. I stayed put and he waved for me to follow him.

     I couldn't believe what was happening. I was actually having a conversation with someone that wasn't yelling at me. He seems like a nice enough guy. If we get to be friends I'll have to put up with his terrible jokes though, I laughed to myself.

     "What are you laughing at?" Parker asked. OK apparently I wasn't laughing to myself.

     "Oh, sorry, nothing" I could feel the anxiety coming back. I wanted to shut down again, but I knew I couldn't. I needed this.

     "Oh, whatever, spill" he told me with raised eyebrows.

     "Its just that no one has ever had a conversation with me before. I can't remember the last time someone actually took the time to talk to, or even notice me" I said looking at the ground, becoming suddenly shy.

     "Well I can't imagine why. You seem really cool. Super clumsy, but cool" he joked, giving me a light punch in the arm.

     "I may be clumsy but at least I don't make terrible jokes" I countered with more sass in my tone than I intended.

     "Oh shut up my jokes are amazing" he said, putting a hand over his heart dramatically.

     "You're a goofball," I said laughing at his cheesiness. I smiled to myself thinking about how I was about to change everything.