Fantasy: a collection of short stories

Time Flies: Day Three

   My parents and I had a wonderful dinner last night. People gathered around us to sing Happy Birthday to my mom. Her birthday wasn't until next week but they were nice enough to sing to her anyway.

   Everything was quiet. I start to think about the past two days. That guy ran off with my cereal on Friday, found me and gave it back to me on Saturday. Plus, we had a really long conversation about any stupid topic that we could think about. The only thing I regret is not getting his name. Today was our last day, I don't think I'll see him again.

   As I mentioned before, today (Sunday) was our last day in Utah. My parents took me to the mall so I could buy some souvenirs. They stayed at the food court because they wanted to spend more time with each other and they didn't feel like walking too much. So, I'm by myself in Fye looking for some T-shirts to buy. I got distracted and saw some interesting looking books on sale. I started to read one and ended up buying a few before I left. While I was reading, a worker asked "Do you need help with anything, Ma'am?" Without peeling my eyes away from the book, I answered "No I'm fine, thank you." About a minute passed when they spoke again, "Are you sure you don't need any help?" they said in a song like tone. I was questioning why they were still here when I already said that I didn't need any help with anything.  I look away from the book, put it down and turn around, "Yeah, I'm sure I don't- Oh! It's you!" I said surprised. " What are you doing here? How did you find me?" He smiles and puts his hands in his pockets. "I just got off of work. I was walking to the food court to get some food on my way out and when I was passing by I saw you in here smiling and laughing at a book. I thought that was weird 'cause I normally don't see people laughing while reading a book."

"Oh really? I like reading but I read more fan fictions than actual paper books " I respond. I look at my feet, first thinking about the "Online books" (Manga) I've read. Then I immediately thought of Telling him that I'm leaving today. How will he react? "Hey, are you okay?" he asks. I'm snapped back to reality and away from my fantasy, "what? Oh, yeah, I'm fine." He must have read my facial expression and soon enough, I feel a warmth wrap around my body. "Are you really okay?" concern wrapped around his voice. 

"Well, today is my last day in Utah. I don't even know your name so I was really hoping to see you" I respond honestly.

"Well when do you leave?"

"Later tonight. My parents have these reservations for a restaurant but it's just for the two of them."

"We can just hang out then until you have to go." He smiles widely, breaks away, and pats my head.

"Alright sounds good!" I smile in response.

   Just like that, I paid for my stuff and we both walked around; occasionally stopping and looking around in some stores. We made a stop at Hot Topic. I bought him and I some bracelets before we headed to the food court to look for my parents. 

   Once we got to the food court, I looked around to find my parents. They are no where to be found. I was telling him how my parents just left me when I receive phone call from my mom. "Hey pumpkin! Sorry! We forgot about you. Your father and I are gonna be late for our reservations if we go back to pick you up. Just occupy your time somewhere else. I hope you understand my sweet. See you later, Goodbye!" Like always, she hung up without me saying anything in response. I turn to face him, "Well, my parents completely forgot about me and left." I sighed and took a seat at the nearest table. He follows and takes the seat in front of me. "You hungry?" he asks. I had just remembered the last time I ate was at nine in the morning. I check my watch, it read 5:23. "Yes" I say getting up from my seat. He puts his hand on my head, "Calm down small one. I'll pay for the food."He pulls his hand away and I take my seat again, "Thank you so so much!" He walks away. I have never met someone as nice as him before, I think to myself. 

   While I'm waiting, I occupy my time by playing some games on my phone. I get distracted by the sudden smell of fries in front of me. "Dinner's ready." I put down my phone, smile, and take a bag. "Wait. Which one's mine?" 

"Just pick one you like. I'll take whatever's left."

I gasp and cover my mouth before I started to go through the bags. "Oh my gosh. I love you so much!

The happy mood became something I couldn't make out. It was a mix of a lot of emotions. I figure something is bothering him by the look of total concentration on his face. "Hey, what's wrong?" This catches his attention, "Oh, I'm fine." 

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Well, you said 'I love you' earlier. I wasn't really sure what you meant by that."

"Well, I kinda meant it. I mean like, you bought me food so I love you" I reply. Silence lingers around us and only us for a moment but felt like forever. I was eating my food and he was on his phone doing whatever he was doing. "My name is Calvin," he says. "You, uh, asked earlier." Silence again walks by when I suddenly burst into laughter. "Why are you laughing?" he asks  kinda blushing a light pink. "I'm sorry, I just completely forgot that I asked you for your name." He starts to laugh along with me.

   After a few seconds, the laughter died down slowly. He starts a conversation about video games and we find out that we have more stuff in common. I finally finished my meal and he finished his. I went to throw away the trash and came back to the table. "Hey, you wanna go see a movie?" He asks.

"Sure. I mean like we have like three more hours until my parents come back" I respond.

We leave the mall and drive a bit up to the movie theater. When we arrived, I paid for the tickets as a thanks for buying me the food. Calvin refused me paying for his ticket; but I was persistent and finally he agreed to let me pay for both tickets. We didn't buy any snacks because we didn't feel like it was necessary. Calvin and I took our seats near the front, the movie started, and everything faded to black.

   After some time, I feel pokes on my face and thighs. I open my eyes to find Calvin standing over me, poking me. I move his hand away and take a look around.  All the lights are on and no body is here but us. "What happened?" I ask rubbing my still sleepy eyes. "You feel asleep like 20 minutes after the movie started."

"Crap, Sorry Calvin,"

"It's okay. Come on lets go wait for your parents." We walked and sat outside the movie theater to what for my parents. I told Calvin that it was okay to just leave me and go home but he refused to leave me.

   We spent the rest of our time together talking about video games and other hobbies. Our conversation eventually switched to talking about our own lives. I learned that Calvin and his parents aren't really close. His parents were involved in drugs during his childhood. As a result of the drug addiction, Calvin's father tried to end his own life. I only told him that I had so much depression as a child which lead me to self harm. He seemed worried when I told him that so I just said that I didn't cut myself anymore; he told me everything was going to be okay and patted my head.

   Our life talk ended when we see a familiar RV show up in front of us. The window rolls down and I see my mom, "Hey sweetheart! It's time to head out!" I stand up and so does Calvin. "Well Calvin, I guess this is goodbye." I turn around and started to walk away. I feel Calvin grab my hand, "Wait," he gives me a small piece of paper, "Take this with you." I take the paper and give him a big bear hug. We break apart, say our goodbyes, and I make my way to the RV.

That was the last time I talked to Calvin.