Constellations & Cactuses

Chapter 7

"They are beautiful, aren't they?" I ask Parker as we begin to walk down the street.

He nods looking up at the starry sky. I could see the Pegasus and Hercules constellations among the stars, but for once I spent more time looking at the person next to me rather than looking at the stars.

Parker was a mysterious constellation of a person. He was so closed off and the walls around him were so high. I couldn't quite figure him out. But I do know he's fascinates me just as much as any of the constellations in the sky.

We kept walking along the path with Parker looking mainly at the sky, and me looking mainly at him. There was a comfortable silence between us as we walked. Well it was comfortable until I walked into a lamppost.

"Ouch!" I cried loudly, holding a hand to my head.

"Are you okay Ellie?" Parker chuckled quietly.

"Um well, not really." I mumbled.

"Here let me help," He said as he held out his hand.

I grabbed his hand and Parker pulled me to my feet. I swayed dangerously causing him to grip my waist, stopping my fall.

"T-thanks P-p-park." I whispered quietly, concentrating really hard on breathing.

He nodded, slowly letting go of my waist.

"Are you okay now?" Park questioned quietly.

"Yeah I think so."

We began to walk down the footpath again, turning down my street. Falling back into the comfortable silence.

"I can't believe I walked into a lamppost!" I giggle as we begin to near my house.

"It was pretty funny." Parker chuckles.

"Well this is my stop," I said quietly.

"Is your head feeling better though?" Parker asks in a more serious tone.

"No, not really." I mumbled to myself, not really wanting to admit that it still hurt.

Parker looked at me with the most gentle expression I've ever seen and suddenly I felt his lips graze the bump that was beginning to form on my forehead.

"Park-" I began quietly.

"I've got to go home, mum will be waiting," He started. "Okay?"

"Okay."

"Okay, um bye Ellie"

I watched him walk away with a hand to my forehead. Was a becoming completely delusional or did that just happen? I'm so confused.

I think I need some painkillers, I've started talking to myself.

Okay, time to go inside.

**********************************

The next day I woke up with a splitting headache, (I guess that's a side effect of walking into a lamppost), but I pulled myself out of bed and started getting ready for the day.

I slowly shuffled my way into the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. When I lifted my head to look at myself in the mirror, I was met with the sight of a lovely new bruise on my forehead.

Great. Sometimes I really don't like how uncoordinated I am. Think positive thoughts, Bethy. It's just a bruise, a mighty big one but that's okay.

After subconsciously deciding that I really couldn't do much about the bruise, I finished brushing my teeth and hair. I walked back into my bedroom to my closet.