The Words

Chapter 2

I look into the fountain that's placed in the middle of the backyard where hundreds of coins have been tossed inside. Each one is a wish, a hope, a dream. My wishes, my hopes, and my dreams.

I pull a small coin out of the back pocket of my jeans and squeeze it tight.

I wish my Words will bring me happiness.

It's the most optimistic thing I can wish for, the only thing realistic enough to actually happen. But part of me knows my Words will be anything but joyful.

The sound of a twig snapping catches my attention. I immediately turn my head towards the gated entrance to see who's trespassing. Well, I guess I'm kinda trespassing too.

Two seconds later a raccoon walks through the crack in the fence, and I sigh. Seriously? A raccoon has to interrupt my thoughts at this hour? But I hear the snap again, and this time I know it's not a raccoon.

"Who's there?" I demand.

Silence.

"I'm not an idiot. I know you're out there."

A figure slowly emerges from the entrance of the gate. I swallow hard when I see the outline of a tall man with sharp muscles.

Crap.

But as he comes slowly into the light, I relax a bit. It's a boy who looks around my age. His hair is curly and brown, forming small whisps around his forehead, and his eyes are a light brown, sparkling in the moonlight.

He looks very familiar.

"Cayden?"

"Hey. I um. I didn't know someone else would be here," he says.

I roll my eyes at that. No one ever comes here. I know that for a fact.

"You know, I'm not stupid. You followed me."

Cayden smiles. I vaguely remember that smile. It's been at least four years since I've actually talked to him, let alone looked at him. I don't even know how I still remember his name.

"Do you mind?" he asks, motioning to the ground next to me.

I shake my head. "I guess I could use the company."

He lets out a snort. "You have no idea."

"What's wrong?" I ask, suddenly curious.

Cayden lays back in the grass, his eyes wandering among the stars. If it wasn't for tomorrow, I probably would've kicked him out by now, but I want to be anything but alone right now, and I think he does too.

"You haven't changed at all, Alaska. Have you? Always nosey."

"No, and I don't plan to."

"Good luck with that. Change is inevitable."

I sigh and lay back in the grass too, looking up at the stars. "I have less than an hour to believe that's still true."

"Your Words?"

I nod.

"I get mine in a couple weeks. After that I'm out of here."

"You wanna leave?" I ask. Though I can't disagree with that at all. It's what I want too.

"Yeah, I just can't take it at home anymore. I don't belong there."

"That's why you're here, isn't it?"

"I'm not stalking you if that's what you mean," he smirks. I punch him in the arm and he feigns hurt. "But seriously though, I saw you riding down the street, so I thought I'd follow you."

"I forgot you live like two houses down from me," I laugh.

We sit in silence for awhile, soaking up the warmth from the summer breeze. Again I smile, letting my bright green eyes shine into the darkness. I look over to Cayden. His eyes are closed and looks at peace, like there's not one thing in this world that has ever gone wrong. I long to feel that way, but I know it will never happen. I take out my phone and look at the time.

11:47

"I should head home," I say, picking myself up from the ground.

He nods, slowly sitting up. I grab my long board and start down the street towards home with Cayden by my side. As we reach our houses he looks at me, looking deep into my eyes.

"I hope you find what you're looking for, Alaska. Good luck tomorrow."

I smile back. "You too, Cayden."