The Boy with Bad Habits

Chapter 51

When we left, Willow declared I was a poet. After how I responded to her in the diner she was speechless and we carried on as if it didn't happen.

I hadn't meant to dive in so heartfelt. It had come out all at once and it took a lot to figure out if I was being honest or not. Willow made me feel different in an exhilarating way, yet I refrained from getting too close. Waiting for it all to collapse and backfire. I was waiting for something to go wrong. That way I would just learn my lesson and remind myself shit like that didn't exist.

Although, she was making me question my original assumptions.

"Do you think today was productive for you?" She asked peering up at me as we began to walk toward the apartments. Luckily, the location of the diner was convenient.

I sighed, "Yeah, it just sucked we couldn't eat any icecream."

We walked along the crosswalk, which told me we were about twenty minutes away from Meadow Hills on foot.

"Where would you like me to tutor you next time," she said without looking at me, while trying not to brush her hand against mine.

There was a light breeze blowing and her long, pretty, dark hair moved in the wind at her waist. All I ever found myself wanting do when I saw it was run my fingers through every strand.

Further up ahead, I saw a bench and a thought came to mind. "If the weather's nice, how about the park."

"What if it's not?" A light smile graced her lips and I realized how content Willow was just walking with me. Easy to please it seemed.

I scratched the back of my neck bashfully, "My place?"

"Sure," she was looking around as if seeing the world for the second time around her. I couldn't help but question it.

"Do you not get out a lot or....?" The question hung in the air briefly before she answered.

Her head leaned up slightly to look at me, "Yeah, but it's not just that. Sometimes I forget to appreciate my surroundings sometimes and wish I did more often."

Both chocolate-colored eyes swirled and I tried not to get lost in them. Not expecting such a well thought out response, "I'm getting tree-hugger vibes from you," I joked.

A giggle left her parted lips and I couldn't help but awe at the sound.

"I'm not a tree-hugger. Think about it, have you ever really looked around and thought, wow."

When I started thinking about it, the only being I really marveled at since arriving in Virginia was her. "In terms of nature, no. But I see your point. Not many people really pay attention to it."

"Why do you think that is?" A frown formed in between her eyebrows with curiosity.

My answer took some time, "There could be many reasons. Trees don't scream, hey it's me!" I flailed my arms.

It earned a laugh from Willow and she pushed me playfully, "I'm being serious," she said while still laughing and tried to recover.

We had stopped when I did that yet continued walking. "Well, if you think about it; trees, grass, etcetera, it's all apart of everyday life. We don't notice it because it's always there. That's why there's so many organizations putting up fights to save it all. That and they're essential to life."

The apartments came to view and I noticed a taxi leave. Two people left and they were headed straight toward the entrance of Meadow Hills.

"Who are they?" I heard beside me.