Don't Forget To Breathe

Chapter 7

Her eyes were such a deep brown that it was easy to get lost in them. The dark chocolate color is mesmerizing and I could almost see the millions of stories hiding behind them.

Camila and I both sat crossed legged in the middle of my living room facing one another. It was decided that we both answer one another questions, so long as we feel comfortable answering them. 

She took the time to explore the living room before we sat down and ask about the pictures in it. One in particular from a trip to Hawaii that Alycia and I took in college where my hair is wet and my cut off shirt does an excellent job at displaying my stomach. She told me Hawaii has always been one of the places she's always wanted to travel to. We had pleasant conversation for a couple minutes before we sat down. 

Now, almost ten minutes have passed by in complete silence. We've simply sat and examined one another features. I don't know why we decided to become quiet all of a sudden. 

But the silence grew heavy but the more time passed the more fearful I was of breaking it.

"I'm a lisztomaniac you know" she offered finally doing what I was afraid to.

My head tilted ever so slightly in response to her statement asking a silent question.

"Someone who needs music all the time" she explained "So this silence is kinda killing me"

I chuckled "There is no music on the streets" I said thoughtlessly.

She smiled clearly not taking offense to the comment.

"Well you clearly haven't been listening"

Her statement made me smile. She keeps leaving me in awe of her and we still have barely spoken. But the comment helps me see the kind of person that she is.

She's the kind that finds art in dark alleys and hears music out of city noises that others hate. My question is how can she be so optimistic when she's lived through so much.

"How long have you been homeless?" I blurted out ripping off the band-aid.

"Five, almost six years I think" she answered without flinching.

"How old are you?" I continued a round of rapid fire questions.

"24" she said "You?"

"About to be 25 next month"

She nodded "Why are you helping me?"

I smiled putting a stop to the speed of our inquiries "You won't let it go huh?"

"You'd understand why I'd be determined to get answer" she said "People don't do things out of the kindness of their hearts not unless they want something in return" she said "And as you can tell, I have nothing to give you"

My eyes scanned her features as she said this. It didn't come out angry or even defensive, only honest. She's simply voicing her experience and I can't blame her for it.

"So you think I might be doing this for selfish reasons" I thought aloud.

"Are you?"

"No" I responded quickly "I don't know I why decided to do this but if I were doing it selfishly I wouldn't have wanted to keep it anonymous." I mentioned "You were just too smart and caught me"

This seemed to put her at ease since it didn't seem like the thought had crossed her mind. She nodded and visibly relaxed letting me know that it was my turn to ask a question.

"You seem educated" I stated.

She nodded "That's not a question"

"You went to college" I added.