Oblivious

OBLIVIOUS - Part 7

The day slowly came to an end, fortunately. I felt so grateful I was able to meet Natalie and Chris, I had the feeling that all of us already had a slight connection. 

I felt the sunbeams from the quiet sunset, that dipped the whole beach in a touch of gold. From far, I saw a toddler holding his parents arms, swinging back and forth. Two lusty surfers were playing Frisbee along the shore.

I looked over to Jackson and Natalie, who started packing up a few things. I wasn't able to see Chris anywhere, he might had be gone to the bathroom. Or maybe somewhere else. 

Jackson called me over, smiling at me. 

"I think this day was successful!", we both laughed. I glimpsed at Natalie who stood right behind Jackson. Then, I saw Chris slowly walking towards us, without any expression in his face. 

"It was so fun, honestly. You know what? We actually come over here quite often, and get Ice cream, as usual. But today it tasted really good. Maybe it's because you were here with us?" she winked at me, and I laughed enjoyably. I feel like I have changed a lot, just within one or two days. It's so true. Life really depends on your surroundings, your environment, with who you spend your time with. I was glad I spent mine here today.

I heard quiet paces behind me. Then, this happened.

"I can't wait for the other days I'll spend with you. Your presence was, amazing."

I turned around, and saw Chris' face. Then, for a moment, the world stopped turning. As if time was frozen, I slowly searched for his breathtaking eyes. Everything seemed to be in Slow motion. I smiled unplanned, as he enchanted my mouth only with his eyes. Looking at him, I noticed he had tiny freckles, like I did. And his lips, they looked so kissable. 

For a moment, I didn't know what to say. I was so overwhelmed by his unexpected phrase that literally brightened up the whole day. 

"Thanks. I really enjoyed it, as well." 

He turned around, as if nothing happened. 

***

"I hope your Mom's alright that we brought you home at this time."

"Its only 7 o' clock, Jackson. And, by the way, i'm 16. My mom isn't a Stuffy old lady." We both laughed so loud, I heard my Mom coming down the stairs, entangling her arms. 

We went home by bus, Natalie drove to her house with her mint beach bicycle. And Chris, potentially, went home as well after we left the bus. He didn't even say goodbye to me. 

Before Jackson left, I needed to ask him a question. Nervously, I looked him in the eyes. 

"Can I ask you something?"

Without minding, he just nodded.

"Your friend Chris, Uhm. He seems nice. But please don't be mad at me if I say this."

He looked at me, questioned. 

"I have the feeling he is very unsympathetic. Or, how should I say it? He seems, Self-issued. Melancholic. Do you know, uh, what I mean?" 

Jackson opened his eyes. Now, he was interested. He looked at the ground for a second.

"It started last summer. Chris and I, we were heading to a pool party of a friend of ours - He had a huge garden and Invited tons of people around."

I carefully listened at what he said, nodding.

"However, we had a lot of fun. Chris was so freaking popular, let me say it like that. He had tons of girls waiting for him, looking for him."

Somehow, that wasn't surprising.

"Then, I remember Chris jumping into the pool, trying to catch some girl. I don't remember all of it, but then Rain, it got really serious. Chris started to choke, couldn't breath. He screamed and shook, and it was terrifying as hell.  We tried calling 911, when Chris stopped breathing. Like, totally stopped breathing. I heard people crying, screaming his name."

I saw a slight trace of tears starting to run off Jackson's eyes. I hugged him, without thinking about anything rather than comforting him. Then, he very lightly pushed me away.  

"After 2 Minutes, Chris opened his eyes. We were so overwhelmed and happy at the same time, I honestly cried of happiness.

But, Since that night, nothing was the same. It seemed like this experience gave Chris a whole new perspective of Life. He started to become really good at school, and tried to avoid girls as much as possible. He got all these new, strange features and characteristics: He got really interested in romantic poetry or some stuff, for example. But also, he got a lot deeper inside himself, I guess. He thinks a lot. About life. About Love. He always mentions that he sees beauty in smaller things." 

I told Jackson how  shocked and stunned I was, about this short, but very meaningful story of a life. I can't believe Chris has been through all of this. Although the original occurring of his melancholic behavior was terrible, the part of how Chris started to think more about Life, was beautiful. I knew he was different then others. 

"But the strangest feature of all is that thing he always talks about. He used to tell me about his dreams, and how they had awoken his mind, how realistic they were and how much he wished they were real. This dude is so in his own world.", Jackson revealed.

"You know what I think? I find it really considerable that him and you are still friends, you know. After all, I mean."

Jackson didn't say anything, but smiled insecurely, and left. 

Maybe Chris behavior was a turn off for many people, especially girls. But I have never, ever thought I'd find a stranger as a soulmate. Never. 

*** 

Hey guys, Thanks for reading! I really put a lot of passion into this part of my story. I hope you guys enjoyed. :)