Man behind the Mask

Chapter 2.

The sun came up and peeked between the blinds. Whiskers was now pawing at my face since it woke him up. He sleeps through the whole night with me. I find that weird. I love weird!

I crawl out of bed and jump in the shower. "What's on the agenda?" I say thinking out loud."Hmmm..."

I might text Amy to see if she wants to hang out, or I can hang out with Whiskers. Or go to the park and draw. Oh, how I love drawing the park's landscape. It was probably my favorite place besides my bed and the studio.

I got out and I had to open my door since the bathroom filled up with steam and I couldn't see anything with my glasses on. "I should wear my contacts today, huh, Whiskers?" I say looking at him. He just meowed. Of course he did.

I put on clean underclothes and some clean shorts with my favorite hoodie. I had it since highschool. It has all my friends names on it from when people liked me. I had cut holes for my thumbs and it was more dull than before. But cozy as hell, I thought shrugging.

I went in the kitchen and fixed myself some milk and some waffles. In the toaster, that is. After I chowed on that, I let it settle as I watched TV. There isn't much on, I'll just watch these dorky cartoons. For a moment I checked the weather. "It's gonna be a b-e-a-utiful day!" I said getting off my couch. I now wanted to watch Bruce Almighty, but I also needed to do a morning run around the apartment complex. I put on my arm wrap and got my headphones.

I'm determined. I'm strong. I'm ready.

I put on my running shoes and started on the sidewalk downstairs. I put on a playlist and hummed along. It sounds weird while I was jogging, like I have the hiccups.

On a corner turn by the mailboxes, I saw Ryan. I looked a hot mess. Oh God, don't see me!

"Hey, Hannah!"

GODDANGIT.

I skidded to a halt.

"Haha, Hey, Ryan!"

"Enjoying a run? It's super hot outside. But then again I wouldn't run if it was cold, either."

"Haha, yeah! How's everything coming along with the uh, apartment?" I say pausing my playlist finally.

"Pretty good, I had some problems with my dog. He does NOT like change. At all."

"Aww, poor baby! But he'll warm up."

"Yeah, well don't let me keep you!"

"It's okay, see ya around." I spit out hastily as I begin running again.

Yeah.. He's pretty nice.

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I got back to the apartment. Why did I shower if I just ran? "Ugh.. I don't want to stink. Just a quick rinse." I open the door and lock it behind me. I made my way to my room and straight to the bathroom. I jumped almost right in and out. I don't wanna waste too much water since I showered just this morning.

Whiskers sat by the balcony door, meowing to go out and watch the birds.

"If you aren't careful, you silly cat, you'll slip between the bars one day."

I let him out and when I did he jumped back hissing. "What, What?! What's wrong, baby?"

I look straight ahead. To the balcony across from us, sat Ryan with his dog. It was a beautiful husky. How did I not notice him before?!

"H-Heyyyy!" I yelled across.

He looked up from his phone and saw me.

"Woah! Hey!"

"How funny, right?!" I say putting Whiskers inside.

"Yeah! But I gotta make a call. Talk to ya later!" He stood up tall and walked into his apartment with the husky trailing behind him.

I got the weird feelings again.

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At a little past noon, I put on some clothes that won't make me too hot. I go down to the park and sit in the gazebo area where there is a round table and an all-around bench. I sat down my drawing pad and starting sketching. I soon realized who I was sketching. It was Ryan! "W-What the.." I whispered to myself. "I'm so weird! Ugh."

I took the paper and crumbled it up.

I then focused and worked on a field that had flowers as tall and taller than the grass. They bloomed like roses and daisies at the same time. The sun shone on to a group of birds in the sky. A girl, sat alone in the middle of the field. Only one flower sat on top of her long locks and her head was in her knees.

When I finished I wrote down some lyrics to the song we did yesterday. I'm pretty proud of our turnout. I had a lot of fun and like Melani suggested, it sounded better upbeat and faster.

I got up and started walking back. I didn't have anything else to do, so I'm just gonna go home and watch movies while eating lots of junk food.

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When I got home I flipped on the TV and scrolled around for movies. While doing this, I positioned myself most likely 50 times getting comfortable. Only to get up again for food.

After hours upon hours of this.. I was near passing out. I practically threw myself off the couch. "I can't believe I just watched Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty, had a Best Ink marathon, and watched Smiley. The only scary thing on TV, sadly. I love scary movies. I slipped under my sheets and only one thought tugged in the back of my mind: Ryan.

Why do you always come to mind? I don't even know you that well...

I slept uneasy that night with him in my mind. I fought myself through it and finally got some good sleep. Not for very long though.