The Falconer's Sentinel

Chapter 2: Girls

Years grew by and we stuck together. We were both in the eight grade. How? Well instead of me moving up, Suzi moved up to join me instead. Our school system was kind of messed up, so they were always encouraging students to move up because it looked good on their records. We were both obviously ecstatic when we found out we would be going to classes together.

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It was an ordinary day in the middle of third quarter, around Valentine's day. Spring was just beginning to start. The flowers were blooming, everything was coming out of hibernation, and birds were returning from the south. That's right, birds. Do you remember back in third grade the poor little bird that was tormented by the bullies, well Suzanne nursed it back to health, named it Pip, and cared for it ever since. The bird was a red tailed hawk, one of the largest birds of prey in America. Suzanne loved birds. If you showed her a picture she could immediately name its species, native location, and any other random tidbit about it. Anyways, love was in the air. Love anyways, unfortunately for me.

Suzy and I were going to walk home from school like normal, but today was different. I had decided to part ways with Suzi in order to go to the nearest flower shop. I was going to surprise my girlfriend.

I had claimed that she made me happy. Every time we held hands, or I got her a present, I would always have the biggest smile on my face.

Suzanne walked away towards her house wondering what was going to happen. She knew what I didn't about this girl, and she was a typical player. She would go out with a guy for a couple weeks, and then break their hearts and move onto the next one. Her and I had been going out for about two weeks, so she had a better feeling about it, but still.

****

I fished the money out of my pocket at the flower shop and paid for the bouquet of roses I had for her. I left the old, rustic flower shop and went to surprise my girlfriend. She would usually be at the park like she was after school. I smiled as I imagined the look of surprise and then joy that would be on her face.

"She is going to love this! Roses are her favorite!" I thought. I smiled as I imagined how happy she'd be.

I arrived at the park and immediately my smile turned into confusion as I approached the park bench where my girlfriend usually sat, because this time, she wasn't alone.

I struggled to hold back the tears as I saw the girl I loved, my girl, snuggled up with another guy. He had his arm around her and her hand was in his. He watched through tear filled eyes as she gave him a peck on the cheek.

How could she! She had told me over and over again that she had loved me! I threw the roses into a nearby garbage can, imagining that they were the other guy that I was throwing away. I ran back home trying to comprehend what I had seen while failing miserably to hold back my tears.

Suzanne. She would know what to do. Changing my course I headed over to her house.

I slowed my pace and tried to wipe away my tears with the sleeve of my army jacket, (which fit me a lot better now), so Suzi's mom wouldn't notice I'd been crying and tell my mom before I got the chance. Taking a deep breath I approached her door and went to knock, but it opened before I had the chance to. Suzanne's mom took a quick look at me and told me to head upstairs.

Crowding my big figure up the stairway I approached Suzanne's room. I paused for a moment outside her door but before I could knock the door swung wide open.

Her room was covered in posters, famous gymnasts and bird posters or whatever you call them. Bookshelves lined about two-fourths of the walls and her dresser and desk were on the other walls. There were shelves bolted to the walls lined with gymnastics and karate trophies she had won over the years. In one corner of the room was a bird cage lined with newspapers and a feed dish next to the open window blowing in a chill breeze. Suzanne was standing in the doorway with a confused look on her face. Immediately she grabbed me by the shoulders and sat me down on her bed. It was a twin sized with a purple comforter with assorted stuffed animals and her gymnastics leotard laying on the side as she had practice soon.

I tried to explain what happened but she could already tell, she couldn't explain, but she just knew.

"Hey, it's okay." She said, "Rant if you need to, I'm here."

I tried to say more but could barely get anything out before I began to cry again. It may seem unnatural for a teenage boy to be crying like this, but I'll admit I'm a real softy when it comes to situations like this.

Suzi put her hand on my shoulder and started gently rubbing my back. I managed to calm down a bit and was able to explain what had happened. Afterwards we just sat in silence. The kind of silence where you don't need to talk because you somehow already know what the other person is thinking.

I looked up at her, with red eyes from crying and timidly asked, "can I have a hug?"

"Of course." She replied. "You don't even need to ask."

I gingerly reached for her and pulled her in close for a hug. As I hugged her I felt all of my pain ebb away, and I was grateful that I had a friend who could do that for me. My "girlfriend" didn't matter anymore. All that previous heartache was gone. As we hugged, Suzanne couldn't help but be happy that she was able to protect me like I had protected her from bullies so many previous times in the past. She may not be as strong, or as brave as I had tried to be, and she couldn't beat up bullies for me, but this was something she could do.

I felt very grateful for her because she could protect me in a way that I couldn't protect myself.