Saying Goodbye

5: There He Was

The stale smell of bagels was strong, and the cool air from my open window flew in. The faint light though the shades was enough to wake me, and enough to keep we awake for another hour or so, then it was back to bed for me.

The hairs on my stomach stood up as the cold air brushed upon it, my crop top not long enough to cover it. My sweatpants kept my legs hot, but my feet cold. I yawned, stretching out my limbs. I could hear the thwapping of Chester's tail on my bed as his chest heaved greatly against my back.

"Ellie! Come to the kitchen! We made bagels, but they're cold now. You'll have to reheat them." I could hear my mother call out from the kitchen, as the clanking of plates sounded loudly, the loud and rapid typing of my father became even louder.

I found myself walking into the kitchen, Luke already sitting on the couch, bagel in hand. I picked up a cold bagel, taking a bite out of it. I could have cared less about the room temperature bread. Chester leaned on me, sniffing at my foot as I continued to eat the bagel. The sweet sensation of food in my stomach made my heart ache for the pencil in hand and paper, my blank canvas. But I had to remember I was trying something new. No drawing for a while, I thought.

"Hey, mom," I began, pausing to think of something to break the silence. "can I take a walk to the park?" I asked her. She looked up, surprised. I'd never been the "athletic" type, but she nodded, adding, "Sure, honey. Just be sure to take your phone with you so you can contact me any time." 

*          *          *

I began walking down the small sidewalk leading to the park. I couldn't see it from where I was, but I knew how to get there. Cars drove past, leaving strong scents of burnt gasoline around me. The street was filled with people. The old side walk was covered in gum and bird poop. It stunk. 

As I began to change my mind about going to the park, something stopped me from doing it. Or rather, someone. Off, in the distance, was the boy. I was nearing him as he picked up his skateboard, rolling off. I hurried out of his view, stepping behind a large bush. Peeking through, I was able to see him. Something about him made my heart ache. I clenched at my shirt over my chest, as though my chest was heavy.

A soft crunch of the grass behind me made me jump. I gasped at the sudden surprise of something behind me.I couldn't recognize them at first, but then, I knew. Ethan. He wasn't the nicest person, but he was a popular kid at my school, and was, at the rarest of times, actually a decent person. We mess around with each other sometimes, even though I'm not at all popular.

"So, who ya starin' at?" He asked me in a cocky tone. My heart pounded loudly in my chest after he startled me. I began to catch my breath, realizing he could tell how much he startled me. I slowed my breathing, and began to speak.

"What? Oh, nothing. I dropped my water bottle here, somewhere..." I said, realizing then I had left my water bottle at home, and didn't have it. I glanced back up, blushing intensely at the thought of him knowing. Especially him. 

"Oh, really? Maybe I should help you find it." He said, looking down. "Oh, looks like you don't have one. Or at least, I don't see one." He continued. "Anyways, I saw you over here and-" He paused, kneeling down next to me, hiding in the bushes. He placed a hand on my chest, and I knew the both of us could feel my heart beating. "Oh, wow, I scared you hard! You're practically having a heart attack!" He exclaimed loudly.

I Looked up at him, annoyed, swatting his hand away.His voice was so loud. I peeked through the bushes to see if the boy had heard him. Looking back at Ethan, I knew he knew.

"Oh, that one." He paused before continuing to peek through the bushes too. "I could see why you'd like him. He's not that bad, actually. You should get to know him. You make good friends with him. I just doubt you'd actually be able to have the courage to tell him you like him." He stepped back, leaving his hiding spot. "Well, adios, amiga." He added, before going off on his skateboard.

I watched through the leaves of the bushes, seeing him roll around on his skateboard. Finally, I worked the courage. I walked away from my hiding spot, while he wasn't looking, showing myself. I walked over to the shade of a tree, and sat under it on the bench. I pulled out my chalk, and began depicting him on the cement. Adding the way his hair shimmered, the way this dimples showed and the way his face was emotionless.

I stood up, viewing my masterpiece. Taking a picture of it, for keepsake with my Polaroid camera, I picked up my bag, walking off. I glanced back, to see him looking back at me. I knew he hadn't seen my drawing yet, but I knew he would. He skated around by himself, unaware of the artwork that would appear before him. I walked down the old sidewalk I had walked down before that lead back to my house, leaving him.