Red Sunsets, Sunny Winters

Turn Right

He was strange. James noticed him the first time he walked past the park. Sitting alone on a bench, staring into the sky.

The next day, he was there again. And the next day, too. Even though it was out of his way, James made sure to walk past the park every day on his way home. Every day he'd wonder about him. He looked to be the same age as James, but he didn't recognize him.

After a few days of walking past the park on his way home from school, James decided to walk past on his way to school also. All he had to do was turn right at the first intersection. He was there. Just watching the sky. James came back every morning and afternoon.

The next week, it was supposed to rain. James still walked to school, and made sure to turn right. Made sure to pass the park. He was there. Sitting in the rain. The school isn't too far away, thought James. He ran across the park to the bench and gave the boy his umbrella. Their eyes met. His were blue. They reminded James of winter, with sun streaming through the trees, hitting the snow at a perfect angle.

The last thing he saw before he turned to run to school was the boy's surprised expression as he held the umbrella.

When he ran home, the boy was there. James grabbed another umbrella from his home before running back out. The boy didn't notice as he walked up. He finally turned his head when he sat next to him on the bench. He stared blankly at him with his blue eyes.

"Hey... uh... It's probably not good for you to sit out here in the rain," said James.

The boy continued to stare blankly. "Are you talking to me?" he said, bewildered.

"Who else would I be talking to?"

He looked around before turning back. "Thanks," he said, smiling.

"You're welcome?" He continued smiling. "Say, why are you out here every day?"

His expression went blank again. "Uh..." He went back to staring at the sky. James watched him curiously. They were both surprised when James' phone went off.

"Hello? Oh, right. I'll be home in a minute. Yeah. See you soon." James turned to meet the boy's icy eyes. "I have to go," he said. "My name's James, what's yours?"

"Michael."

"Okay then, Michael," said James, standing up. "I'll come back later for my umbrella." Michael nodded.

James turned and began walking. His already soaked sneakers splashed in rain puddles as he approached his house. Michael was strange. James definitely wanted to talk to him again.

The next morning, it was still raining. When James walked past the park, he saw Michael with his umbrella, staring into the grey skies. On his way home, James stopped to talk to Michael again. His mother still expected him home soon, so he could only stay for a few minutes.

"So, Michael, I only have a minute to talk so I'll get straight to the point. How old are you?"

"Oh, hi, James. I'm 15, why?"

"Oh, okay. Bye!"

"Bye," said Michael as he watched James run across the muddy park.

The next day, James looked for Michael at school. No luck. He couldn't get very far with only a first name. On his way home, he stopped again. Today, it had finally stopped raining.

"Hey, Michael."

"Hi."

"Do you go to my school?"

"Yeah," he said softly.

"I couldn't find you today."

"I don't really have time to socialize during the day, sorry."