Standing Alone

Ch. 2 - Swingsets

I leave the coffee shop and dumped the empty cup on my way out. The wind had picked up but still wasn't cold enough to merit wearing a heavy jacket.  I put my board down and hopped on, skating down the sidewalk. The wheels crush over the fallen leaves lying in the cement.

I am not sure where I should go yet but I take a turn to get to a more open sidewalk.  Maybe I could go to the mall. Or just go home. I look down to see the time on my phone. 1:34. My mom isn't home.

My decision is to go home. I start to make my way there and luckily it isn't far.

Ten-ish minutes later I pull up to my front door, grab my board, and unlock the door with the key in my pocket.

Once I dropped my skateboard in its usual spot, take off my shoes and sit on the couch, I realize it is too nice out to stay inside. I contemplate whether or not I should stay. Sighing, I stand back up, and walk back over to the door. I re-lace my boots and go outside locking the door behind me.

I start to head to the nearby park. I breath in the crisp air. I love autumn. I look around at the red and yellow leaves coming from the backwards of the houses I walk past. With every step, I hear a crunch as I step on the skeleton of leaves. Kind of morbid but kind of beautiful.

The park is now in sight and as far as I can tell, no one else is there. I'm such a child, why am I coming here?

I walk over to the swing set. I sit on the middle one of three swings. At first I only sit, but as time goes by I'm pumping my legs forward then back. The breeze pushes my hair forward, then out of my face, then forward again. It's oddly relaxing.

It brings me back to being a kid. Before I lived in this neighborhood, I had a swing set in my backyard. I close my eyes. I remember my dad pushing my feet so I went higher and higher.

Flash.

"Higher, higher daddy!" I squeal. Nothing brings joy to a six old more than her father pushing her on a swing. Or at least for me.

I love playing with my dad. Especially on days like these when the sun is warm on my skin and it's not raining. I wonder if God purposely makes the weather nice just for me and my dad. I smile at the thought.

"Alright Brookey, we're going to have to go inside soon to eat, one more minute okay?"

"Okay, Daddy," I giggle happily.

Flash.

I open my eyes smiling at the fond memory.

My mind turns its thoughts to current life again. I'm thinking that maybe if I wasn't so quiet maybe I would be ditching school with a friend, or boyfriend, or whoever. But nope, I'm here alone like a loser.

I hadn't noticed how high I was on the swing, i guess I was too deep in my thoughts to realize what I was doing. I take a deal breath and absorb my surroundings.

I see someone walking towards the park. Presumably a guy. Presumably attractive.

He's probably not actually coming to the park.

Low and behold he walks up the cement side walk and sits on the bench at the far end of the park. He pulls out his phone and starts looking at it. I have to admit he looks pretty cute sitting there.

I must look so lame. He glances up at me. I should probably leave before he realizes what a loner I am. I hop off and start walking across the playground to walk back down to the street.

I am about to walk right past him and am taken aback when he says, "Hey."

I stop.

"Oh hi," I say with slight confusion in my voice.

He puts away his phone and looks up. He is wearing straight blue jeans, a maroon t-shirt with some logo on it, and black Vans.

"I've never seen you around here before," he says. His blue eyes shine bright. His brown hair, which is done up nicely, moves slightly with the breeze. I notice he has pretty big biceps. Nice.

"Oh yeah ha, I don't walk around outside much anymore. But I live right over there." Come on don't screw up now. Stay cool.

"Why don't you come outside?"

"Well I guess I just have no reason to. Why'd you come here?"

"Just walking around. I was going to swing until I saw you there. Thought it would be weird to go sit right next to you."

"I'd have to agree with that," I half-laugh just to make sure I don't come off rude.

"So what's your name?"

"It's Brooklyn"

"Like the city?"

"Yeah, my sister is Sydney and my brother is Orlando." That was such a lame joke.

"Really?"

"No it was supposed to be a joke. I don't have any siblings." Stupid me.

"Oh okay, just making sure," he laughs, "I'm Grayson."

"Well nice to meet you Grayson."

"You too, Brooklyn." Crap, what should I say now??

"Well maybe I should head back home now."

"Oh, um, alright. I'll see you around?"

"Yeah sounds good." I smile.

He flashes a gorgeous smile and I wave and walk away. His gaze follows me until I get to the end of the path leading away from the park.

The last thing I see him do is walk over to the swing set and sit down.

~•~

So this one is a bit shorter than the last chapter... Hopefully I'll be able to make the next few chapters longer. Thank you for those who are reading right now (even if it's only 17) but please vote, follow, or comment your thoughts I'd love to hear them!!

Kayleigh xoxo