Abandonment

1: the park

Michael

I put on a black sweater and some skinny jeans. To anyone else I'd look like a freak, but honestly I'm addicted to the wooly creations that are sweaters. I walked out to the car and waited for my parents.

"Michael. Aren't you excited to go to the park?"

I shrugged and looked out the window as they started the car and drove to the place I was dreading to go to. What if I saw someone from school? What if hey beat me?

I didn't like to talk, as everything sounded fine in my head but it never comes out right.

I was pulled out of my thoughts and the car as I was plopped on the grassy ground of the park. I looked around, going to the swing set. It was worn down and looked almost abandoned. I sat on one of the swings quietly, slightly swinging from time to time. I readjusted my beanie and put up the hood of my hoodie.

Luke

I was walking around the park, heading home. The skies were turning grey and I knew it was about to rain. I was running to my car but stopped when I heard a soft voice mumbling to itself. I stopped running, looking for the source of the soft voice.

"Brr." I heard it say again. I saw an abandoned set of swings and on it sat someone facing the other way. I slowly walked up to the person, hiding behind a tree when I heard him start to sing softly.

"I never c-conquered, rarely came 16 j-just held such better d-days," he sang, starting to shake. "D-days when I still f-felt alive We could-"

I walked up to the boy with the beautiful voice, sitting on the swing next to him. "Isn't it a little cold to be out here alone?" I asked.

The boy shrugged, his eyes becoming glued to his feet.

"You have a very nice voice," I said.

The boy smiled slightly before shaking his head, denying my compliment.

"What's your name? Mine's Luke."

The boy remained silent. I sat waiting for his response.

"M-Michael," He said softly.

"And why are you out here all alone?"

"They no like Michael," he said, wincing.

"I like you," I said.

"Luke no know Michael though. Luke leave Michael like others."

"No I won't."

"Everyone leaves, its normal," he said, struggling for it to come out perfect.

"No it's not!"

"Then why is Michael alone in park?" he looked up at me with wide green eyes as he shivered.

"Come on," I said, getting up and stretching out my hand.

"What?"

"I can't let you freeze out here, come on," I said. I felt a cold finger in my hand. I gasped, looking at his finger in my hand, his other fingers were swaddled by the sleeve of his black sweater. I gently helped him up. He was ice cold. "Are you cold Michael?"

"Michael very cold," He said shakily.

"Here," I said, giving him my jacket. He snuggled into the already warm jacket.

"Thank Luke."

I don't know why but the way he talked was cute to me. I led him to my car, opening the door for him.

He got in and snuggled further into my parka, the fur lined hood over his head.

I hurried to get in and start the car.

Michael yawned and curled up slightly in the passenger seat.

"Are you tired?" I asked calmly as I started to drive away.

"Michael v-very sleep," he yawned.