Those Among Us

Good times

HEY LOVELYS. 

So just explaing, the way I set this out is, all these parts are just one whole chapter, like a smooth flow and im just trying to break it down as its a tad too big, and I tend to make these a bit long. When its a new chapter, it will be written at the top :) 

Rate and comment, means alot :) <3

-J

I preferred walking the long way home; it was a pleasant, relaxing moment I had every day after school. The sun was burning low on the horizon, disappearing behind the mountains. After strolling away from the towns park, I stood at a deserted intersection that, one way went to town and the other went for about 30 metres before thinning out onto the nature reserve. Cutting through town would bring me straight home while skirting the edges of the forest would take me in a half circle that shaped the outside of the town. I stood on the lonely street thinking about timing and how dark it would be by the time I made it home. Grabbing my half dried hood from my bag, I pulled up my skinny jeans and slipped into it. Checking my scuffed shoes to see if they would survive the walk, I shrugged to myself and set out in the direction of the nature reserve. The wind had picked up now and I spread my fingers out by my side, closing my eyes and letting the fake sensation of flying take my mind to wherever I wasn’t, to up in the deep blue sky, where I dreamed of going every night. I hadn’t realised it but I’d stopped walking and lost track of time, lost in the peaceful moment. Shoving my hands in my pockets I began walking even faster than before, against the now forceful wind, seeing the sun set behind the hills and the first stars start to peek. Way past curfew… I thought distastefully. Staring at the roots and rocks that could easily tip me off balance if I wasn’t careful. Knowing me I would probably trip anyway… I flipped my hood over my head as I stuck to the edge of the forest feeling the light drops of rain on my face. “Oh my, it’s getting dark.” I sighed heavily. Aunt is surely going to flip a switch when I get home. I sped up but immediately stopped in my tracks as a flash of white and gold caught my attention, pivoting to the left I saw a single white feather dusted with gold that took my breath away. The moment I saw it, it felt surreal. My hands instinctively flew to my mouth and my eyes popped open in surprise as I took in the exquisite sight. A truly beautiful forearm length feather nestled amongst dead leaves and damp dirt. I carefully picked up the feather, worried aunt forgotten, my fingers sparkling with the gold dust, and turned it over in my hands handling it as though it were fine china. It was light, like water skimming my fingertips, and even in the dark I could see gold flecks here and there shimmering on the feather. I tore my eyes away and looked around in a slow circle to see if anybody had dropped it; nothing but trees and fields. Surely this is a piece of art that had been dropped and forgotten. It was painfully beautiful. Deciding that I couldn’t leave it there, I tied it to my bag strap, not wanting it to be crushed in my bag, and left it swaying gently against my stomach as I walked. Sorin has got to see this. Squinting in the distance I saw my house, across the empty paddock. Stumbling my way over, I had reached the short and tattered wired fence that split my backyard from the fields and the sound of passing cars yet again surprised me after my walk of silence. Jumping the fence, careful to be sure I didn’t crumple the feather I jogged past the old trampoline that me and Sorin had slept on once, the clothes line we swung on, the trees we hid in and the slide we tumbled from till I reached the back door. Slowly opening the door I noticed every light in the house was once again turned on. I crept past the bathroom and toilet before peeking around the open arch door way to see my aunt crashed on the couch. I wiped my forehead before silently phewing, and tiptoed up the stairs into my room.  That’s the latest I’ve ever been. I mentally scolded myself. I plucked the feather from my bag and placed it gently by mother’s picture on my bedside dresser. It felt strangely wrong placed there. Like it didn’t belong at all on my plain old dresser by my plain looking mother. It should be placed next to something equally as beautiful as itself. No matter, I thought, as I kicked my worn shoes to the corner of my tiny room and skipped to the bathroom. Even my bathroom light was on! I stripped out of my clothes and took a nice long shower, the hot water unkinking my muscles as though it were magic. I dried and threw on a pair of sweats and a straight black camisole before I tucked my towel onto the towel rack and stopped to assess my room. My queen sized bed was made perfectly and my sheets had been changed to the blue and silver ones I loved, my giant bookshelf left its usual mess with books poking out in different areas and some left out around the floor, the dresser drawer with a square mirror tidied my make-up and accessories put away neatly into the drawer compartments, clothes picked up off the floor, pictures rearranged on the wall, stereo placed in a different spot then yesterday and all my electronics stacked neatly on a dresser. Does the woman ever rest?! Aunty had been at my room again. I snatched my cell phone off the dresser that barely held all my teenage needs. Folding my legs on the bed I dialled “Sore Bum x”.

It rang three times before he picked up. “Lee?”

“Sorin! When did you get home?”   

“As soon as I left. Mum happened to be at the thrift shop when I walked past. Stop keeping me out so late Becca.” I could tell he was smirking at the phone.

“If my memory is as crystal as I remember it to be, you were the one who dragged me to the park!” Everything’s playful banter, loyalty, trust and sarcasm with him. He’s like my other half.

“Oh but Rebecca my dearest, you didn’t decline or complain in any way. So what did Jen do?” My aunty insisted he call her by her name, and he now calls her Jen on impulse.

“She’s asleep. I was saved today.” I laughed into the phone.

“All the lights on?”

“Yes! Really, you would think she’s afraid of the dark or something.” A shiver ran up my spine. Aunt Jen and her lights-on-all-the-time habit was always a mystery to me.

“It is pretty strange… That’s probably why you’re so outlandish and queer.”

“And don’t you love it, James.” I teased casually. There was an awkward 5 second pause as the silence crackled before he asked,

“So Laura texted. She asked if we’re hanging out tomorrow. You know, it being Saturday and all.” I frowned at his sudden change of topic but he was smiling at the phone again and I slowly relaxed.

“Asked if we were hanging out or if you were?” He might not have noticed but everybody else did. Laura Wilson, a fellow student in our class, was completely smitten with him.

“Well I assumed you would come with me. It’s not like you’re doing anything tomorrow, trust me I know. Im with you every weekend so don’t even bother going there, Lee.” I made a face at the phone.

“Hmph. I actually have to buy me some new shoes thank you very much Mr.IKnowEverythingInTheWholeEntireWorld.”

“That’s master, emperor and king to you.” I tried to keep my amusement to myself but couldn’t help but laugh at him. “I can pick you up and we can go shoe shopping. 9:00? Oh my gawwd, Lee, Your turning me into a chick.”  

“Sounds like a plan girlfrand.” I giggled. “If Laura’s still keen she can tag?”

“Doubt it. I just texted her that I’d be picking you up in the morning. She’s suddenly not feeling well.” I snorted into the phone. Laura used to be a good friend of mine until Sorin turned her down once a few years back. She blames me and I just don’t have the energy or urgency to deal with shitty girl dramas anymore. Looking around for my phone charger I saw the feather.

“Oh yeah! I totally forgot! I found the prettiest feather on my way back home. That’s the whole reason I called you in the first place.” I slapped myself on the head, duuuuh.

“Ouch, Lee. That burns.” I could imagine him holding his hand over his heart in mock pain. “I’ll check it out tomorrow. Midnight oils burning or whatever that expression is. It’s about 8:45. Sweet dreams Rebecca.” He cooed through the phone, the same tone of voice he used when he used to sing me sleep in my childhood. I sighed dreamily.

“Good night Sorin…” I trailed off and hung up, suddenly very sleepy, my limbs weighing me down.