Crop

CHAPTER FOUR

I wake up the next morning to five text messages.

ANTON: Hey, just got home

ANTON: Still awake?

ANTON: I guess you fell asleep

ANTON: I'm heading to sleep now

ANTON: Goodnight, sleep tight.

I scramble for the touch-screen keyboard and start frantically typing.

ZYARR: I'm sorry, I fell asleep!!

ZYARR: Good morning Antonio

ZYARR: **Anton dumb auto correct

ZYARR: Hey, text me when you get these:)

Noon rolled around and he still hadn't replied.

ZYARR: I miss you

ZYARR: I'm going for a walk in the forest.

ZYARR: You should meet me there

But he never did. I thought about him every second and eventually supper rolled around. My roommates and I gathered in the kitchen to make supper and they started asking me about him.

"Did you and Anton do anything today?"

"No, I haven't heard from him."

"Well, you should text him."

"I have been texting him."

"You should go to his house."

"I don't know where he lives."

"That's too bad. Well maybe he was busy today."

"Too busy for me?"

"I don't know, maybe."

"I feel like he's avoiding me."

"Why would he avoid you?"

"Because I feel like he would text me and tell me he's busy if he was busy."

"Unless he was too busy to text you."

"But still."

"Maybe he lost his phone. Or broke it. Or maybe he got hurt and is in the hospital."

"Lord, I hope he's not in the hospital."

"Don't fret. Give it some time."

"How long?"

"As long as it takes."

"How long will it take?"

"Ask Pexi, she's the magician's assistant."

"Hmph."

A few days passed with no word from Anton. At first I was worried about him, but then I became selfish and depressed and started moping around the house. I would send him occasional text messages but I never got any replies. I started to text him less and less frequently until one day I didn't send him any.

One day, I decided it was time to get out of the house and do something. I hung my camera around my neck and held a rolled up blanket underneath my arm. I felt refreshed as soon as I entered one of the rugged, forest trails. These trees weren't just trees to me. I had seen them a thousand times, memorized their shapes and details. Some of them had stories attached to them. I had shot a magnificent photo of a woodpecker in this one. I had attempted to climb but fell out of that one. I took a nap at the base of that one. Oh, and here was the tree that had a million ants crawling over it. The familiarity of the trees, each with a different personality, made me feel warm and comfortable. The enclosure made me feel safe. Vibrant leaves glinted in the sunlight. Songs of birds filled my ears. I had walked these paths over and over but each time I took a new breath of fresh air. Each time made me feel reborn, like I had another chance to start over if I needed it. I felt calm, at peace, hopeful.

I came across a gorgeous tree with a huge trunk and instantly realized it was the one where I had met Anton. I didn't mind the memory. In fact, it was a good memory. I threw my blanket into the air, holding it by one of the sides so that it flared out, and gently let it sink down to it's landing. I lay down flat on my back and rested my arms over my stomach. I stared up at the leaves as the memory replayed in my mind. I closed my eyes. Just for a second. Just for one s – I fell asleep.

When I woke up about an hour later, I was in somebody's arms.

"A-Anton?" I stuttered quietly, my body still dazed from sleep. When he didn't respond or move, I sat up abruptly. "Anton?" My voice was scratchy and panicked.

"Huh?" his eyes fluttered open to reveal bright blue seas and he slowly sat up, pushing off one of his arms. He yawned and stretched. "Good morning."

"Anton, where did you come from?"

"My house."

"Why are you here?"

"I wanted to find you, and sure enough, here you are. I think it's really cute how you chose this tree to sleep under by the way."

"Anton, I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Then..." I looked down and thought for a second. "Why haven't you been replying to my texts?"

"I'm so sorry." He stared at me with wide eyes, but then nothing.

"Anton, why?" I ask again, frowning.

"I was hanging out with my best friend, and it's impolite to check your phone." He was looking at me like a puppy that had just stolen a chunk of chicken from the table and now begging for forgiveness.

"For three days, Anton?" I tilt my head.

He took a long, deep breath before replying. "My best friend...said some things."

"What did he say?"

"No, Zyarr. My best friend is a she."

My chest becomes heavy and I start to breath faster. "Talk."

"She came to my house the day after we hung out. Her...her boyfriend had just dumped her, and she wanted me back."

I don't say anything. I just stare at him as my heart becomes the hoof of a racing horse.

"I...I didn't want to hurt you. I promise. I just needed a few days to think things through, figure out what I want, you know?"

I still don't say anything, but my head starts to subtly shake back and forth.

"Zyarr. Zyarr, please. Listen to what I have to say."

"What do you want, Anton?"

 "I...I want you."