Many Mini-Adventures

Breathe

She saved the world twice. Well, at least the world I lived in. And as we stand outside of our usual utopia of utter joy, I'm helpless to keep her world from exploding.

"Wha...What!? Who's responsible for this!?" Nessa says on the verge of screeching. Her usual light skin slowy burning to a blood red tone.

"This was bound to happen. And you know who's responsible," I reply calmly.

"I know, but we signed petitions, formed rallies. And for what? To have our childhood ripped from under us! It's not fair, Crew, it's not fair!"

I have to admit, she has a valid point. This place; this amusement park was around for many decades.

I fondly remember taking my younger cousins here just years ago. The rollercoasters, the games, the atmosphere were all encompassed into a reality that resurrected even the bleakest faces. Now, looking at the chained gates and vacant pathways, I can't imagine what children will do since their source of adventure is gone.

I look at Nessa as her dark brown eyes stare at me for more answers. Answers that we both want but won't grasp. Her short blue hair waves under the soft breeze as I lightly place my hand on her head.

"Just breathe, girl. I know." I gently say. Smiling ever so slightly, I rustle my hand in her hair. And just as I expected, she grins in response: a grin expressing a pinch of annoyance and cupful of tenderness.

"You know that I don't like that." She says as she brushes my hand away.

"And yet you smile every time I do it." I reply with a light chuckle. She playfully pushes me as a result.

"I'm an upbeat person. Smiling at anything is how I roll, you idiot." She says. It was mere glimpse of her usual self. I missed this side of her actually. Not to mention, I'll miss her entirely when she goes away. She then reverts to the serious demeanor for a moment.

"Crew, what are we going to do?" She says, staring with longing and tired of avoiding the current issue.

"We're going to keep living."

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said."

Nessa then sits on the ground, still facing the chained gates. A smile slowly appears on her face. "You were never great with words. But, I will admit you are worth keeping around."

Tired of standing myself, I sit right beside her. "Hey, at least I try."

"Heh, I've noticed." She replies. "Anyway, Crew, do you remember when I saved your world twice?"

Of course I remember what she means by this. However, I'm a bit surprised she brings it up. "You mean 3 years ago, right?" I ask.

"Yeah, both on the same day in this very park." She says.

"Why did you though? You were banned from this park because of it."

"True, but I'll always cherish that day."

Thinking on it, banned isn't the only word to tell the story. She was really fired and never allowed back. All because of my little cousins. That fateful day, I lost them, the 2 of them in the park and thoughtful me didn't realize it until I was several feet from my car. It was then I panicked; it was then I dialed to reach Nessa.

She knew the park, inside and out, and found the 2 children in a matter of minutes. However, she didn't tell me she was fired the moment she tried to look for them. They have a strict "No booth unattended" policy, but it didn't matter to her. She wanted my cousins to be safe.

She met me at the front gates of the park with that bright smile of hers and both children hand in hand with her. That smile back then carried so much more detail than I realized. She kissed them good bye and hugged me before turning around to head back to her booth, but before she could take her first step, I grabbed her wrist.

She looked at me and I told her, "Thank you, Nessa. These children mean the world to me."

She grinned and replied, "Well, since I saved your world, don't forget me anytime soon so you can save mine okay?" As my reflexes would have it, I rustled her hair with my hand for the first time.

"A 'Your welcome' would be nice too." I told her.

So much has changed since then but she stayed the same caring but crazy girl. As I sit beside her, I can only marvel at her bravery up to this point. She's going to England to study abroad and I'll still be here. She'll have adventures outside these borders when I only have the remains of this park. I can't go anywhere. My cousins are the only family left and I can't abandon them. I can't take them to this beloved place and that leaves a deep cutting, gut wrenching memory.

"It hurts to see your cousins will never see this place again." Nessa says as she turns to me. "And forget about my world. I just want the children that mean the world to you to have real happiness."

"They will. I'll do what I can." I reply. "They'll miss you much more though. They call you Super Nessy!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, they don't want to see you go." I reply and pause. It feels like hours before I tell her, "I.....don't want to see you go."

She looks me square in the eyes. Her hand caresses my cheek as a small tear runs down her face. Her face is pulsating with kindness, her tears reflecting the sorrow that embodies my own emotions. She's about to respond when I stop her. My finger pressed softly against her lip. In this moment, I'm not trying for romance. I'm not wanting farewell speeches. I'm simply holding on to this. Right here. I hug her and keep her close. I know she has much to say; much to express. She leaves in several days but for now she will be right beside me.

She then speaks through the tears saying, "You idiot, why can't you let me say I love you?" I can hear the laughter in her voice and I see she really does smile at anything.

At last, I simply tell her, "Just breathe, girl. I know." 

~~~~

This is a story I've written several years ago. I love it even to this day.

If you like or don't like what you've read so far, let me know. I appreciate the read and God bless.