The Difference - Christian Leave

Thirteen

I spent the day doing laundry and cleaning. I also did the dishes. When I was done, I leaned on the counter and thought about Christian. I had always thought I was mature for my age. I focused on school and taking care of my mother. I never had time to think about boys or drama. I had never been to a party.

But now I couldn't go two minutes without thinking about how he was, or something he said. It made me think of a quote I had read somewhere, "My thoughts cannot move an inch without bumping into some piece of you." Ugh, I need to pull my head out of the clouds. He is going different places, with his music career and all. He wants to perform, go on tours, and travel. Don't get me wrong, traveling is definitely on my list of things to do. But he wants big things. I couldn't handle the pressure of traveling on a schedule, with the performances, and all the things that come with fame. I hope he can. The people that have that lifestyle end up with five ex-wives, past drug abuse, and a lot of emotional baggage. He is so sweet and lighthearted.

I shouldn't be thinking about this. We are not even in a relationship. I don't have to worry about his lifestyle. I just don't want him to lose who he is. To become like everybody else.

Wow. This is too much heavy thinking. I need to do something.

I walked up the stairs to my room and changed my clothes. I pulled on a blue dress with knit leggings and boots. I grabbed my purse downstairs and slipped on a jacket. There was a path a few blocks away from my house that was a shortcut to the library. It went through the woods and then opened into a big field, which the library was on the other side of. I checked it out, and it's not owned by anyone. I walk on it all the time, but I have only seen a few other people on it. It feels like my secret little place. I'm very fond of it.

The air was cool but the sun still felt warm on my skin. The woods always looked so welcoming. I love walking through trees. The leaves crunched under my feet. The path was not overly worn. I heard a little girl's laugh echo in the distance. That usually only happens in the summer. I kept walking.

Then I saw the person the laugh belonged to. She looked about age nine, with shiny blonde hair. She was very small and thin. She smiled at me. I smiled back.

"Hi," I said, as I walked closer.

"Hi," she said, looking at me thoughtfully. "You look like this girl my brother is always talking about." She was spinning around in circles, but staying close to me. "My name is Libbey," she continued. I squinted, still smiling.

"Who's your brother?" I asked. She stopped spinning and looked at something. I followed her gaze.

"Christian!" she yelled, running towards him. Christian looked up at me as she hugged him tightly.

"Hi, Josie," he said laughingly. Sunlight danced across his neck and shoulder.

"Hello, Christian," I moved towards them. Libbey kept her arms wrapped around him but turned towards me.

"You guys come here often?" I asked (WINK WINK THE VINE). Christian nodded, playfully ruffling Libbey's hair.

"Yeah, usually right after school though," he said.

"Oh, ok. Usually I come in the evenings and on weekends," I said.

"Alone?" he asked, suddenly frowning. Libbey let go of Christian and started to spin in circles again. I was within two feet of him now.

"Uh, yeah," I said, raising my eyebrows. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, that's kind of not safe, Josie. I mean, there are bad people out there. And you're you know...you wouldn't be able to like, protect yourself," he finished awkwardly. He kept shifting his balance from one foot to the other. He squinted and smirked, thinking over his words.

"That's very sweet, Christian. But I think I'm fine," I said. His eyes never left mine. "I mean, it's a pretty safe neighborhood." He started to swing his arms around.

"Well, how 'bout from now on," he paused, pointing at me, "you tell me when you're goin for a walk and I'll come with you." He smiled at himself. He is so cute. And he cares enough about me to want to protect me? I figured I would be fleeting entertainment for someone who had spent a lot of time with a lot of different girls. I can't imagine the amount of girls he has hugged at one of those Pressplay events.

"Well, I don't know if you want to sign yourself up for that.  I walk like everyday," I shrugged.

"I could use the fresh air, being online so much gets to ya.  And I won't mind the company, so," he smiled at me cheekily.  I laughed and pushed his shoulder.  Then I didn't know what to say.

"I love these woods so much, I could never give them up," I said, looking up at the trees and breathing deeply. I looked back at him, and he snapped his head to the side to watch Libbey.

"Well, I guess my mom is expecting us back soon," he said, turning back to me.

"Ok," I said starting to walk past them. "Bye, Libbey," I gave her a little hug.

"Hey, next time you go walking don't "forget" to tell me," he yelled as I walked away.

"Will do!" I gave him a smile to let him know he wasn't annoying me and then I was out of their sight.

He talked about me with his family? What does that mean?

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Hey guys :D so I have 60 reads now and I know that isn't a lot but I'm so happy. But no one has commented or voted so I don't know if anyone likes it at all? I mean, I want you guys to have fun reading it. I'm worried my first chapter isn't good enough so people stop reading. Ok, anyways I hope you have a ggggreeaaat day