Standing With You

Treehouse Dreams

I watch him as he orders. He seems cuter the more I look at him. I guess his friend notices because he nudges him. He looks over and we lock eyes for about a half of a second. I blush and glance away quickly. They take their milkshakes and walk over to where I'm sitting. I try to look at the table or out the window and pretend I don't notice. The window boy taps my shoulder.
"Are these seats taken?" He asks smiling. I smile back at him and look at his eyes. I finally realize I haven't said anything.
"No, no of course not," He pulls out the chair next to me and his friend sits across from me.
"So you're new here?" Asks the window boy.
"Yeah, from New York. It's a lot different here. But every adventure has pros and cons." They both nod their heads. "Oh, I'm Samanth Lauren by the way. But you can call me Sam or Sammy. Whateverworks."
"Sam..I like it." Says window boy. "My Name is Gordie Lachance."
"And I'm Chris Chambers."
"Nice to meet you both." I say to Gordie.
"Likewise," he says back. We just look at eachother for a bit. Chris clears his throught to bring it back to a 3 person interaction. "Sorry," Gordie says blushing. Chris just rolls his eyes.
"Ya know what? I'll just go find Teddy and Vern. You two can stay." Chris says standing up. He didn't seem annoyed though. More like he genuinely meant it.
"Chris you don-"
"Gordie it's okay. I'm a big kid I know what I'm doing." I laugh and so does Gordie. As the doors are open a brief swirl of warm air hits my body.
"So, uh..how do you like Castle Rock?" He asks a little awkwardly.
"To be honest when I first saw the town I hated it. I thought that I was going to die here. 14 years in the city and now this." I say looking out the windows. I turn my eyes back to him. "But I think I'm starting to like it a little more." He smiles.
"Can you see the stars in the city?" He asks suddenly.
"No, too many lights."
"Good, tonight I'll bring you up to our tree house. You can look all over the town." I smile and can tell he likes me just as I like him.
"Deal."
~~
I look at my clock. 8:30. The sun is getting ready to set and Gordie and I are going to his tree house soon to see the stars. "Mom can I go out, I'll be back at around 10." I ask her as I walk to the door.
"Where are you going?" She asks.
"To look at the stars." Evan comes downthe stairs.
"Yeah with her boyfriend." I glare at him.
"He is not my boyfriend. He's just a boy I met today." Mom smiles.
"Be safe, and back before 10:30." I from ear to ear.
"Bye mom thanks!" I rush out the door and walk over to Gordie's. I reach my hand out to knock on the door but he opens it right before I can.
"Ready?"
"Definitely." We walk into town and stop at the malt shop where I see two boys standing inside through the window.
"I thought we were going to your tree house?"
"Oh we are, just gotta wait for someone to show up." He says as he opens the door. My heart drops when I realize it won't just be him and I. "Gordie since when did you start picking up girls like this?" A boy with glasses says to Gordie laughing. "Shut it Teddy." He says. I notice Chris was there too. "Who are we waiting for?" I ask.
"Our other buddy, Vern." Gordie says.
"He's probably under his porch again," Teddy says and they all laugh. Before I get a chance to ask what they're talking about another boy our age comes through the door.
"Vern geez my clothes have gone out of style we've been waiting so long!" Chris says playfully punching his arm as he walks out the door.
"Nice try Chris they already were." He says back. I can tell they've probably been friends for a while seeing as they have no problem constantly insulting each other. The warm summer air swallows me once again. Me and Gordie hang back a couple steps while the others talk about things I don't understand.
"Sorry for them tagging along, I told Chris about it and of course he just had to spread the word."
"No no it's totally fine." I say trying to make my expression match the fraise. He buys it and looks forward. Soon it's dark, but I can see the tree house that they must be talking about. I see Gordie glancing up at rhe sky. I lift my head up too but his hands hurry to cover my eyes.
"No." He says tilting my head back down. "Only when we get up the tree house." I laugh but keep my eyes down.
"Impressive," I say to Gordie as we arrive to the tree house.
"You think so?"
"Yeah." He smiles proudly. They all climb up one by one. When I look inside I remember I can see the stars. I rush past them to the window overlooking the town.
"Woah," I say quietly. They were so beautiful. Dozens of stars litter the sky. I hear someone snicker and guess it was Teddy. I shoot him a glare. He stops immediately.
"Man if looks could kill you'd be a dead man." Says Chris. I turn back to the sky.
"Dude she's never seen the stars before!" I hear Gordie say. Then follows a quiet thud and Teddy saying "Ow!" He comes up next to me.
"Pretty amazing right?" He says.
"Totally amazing I say in awe.
"This isn't even the best part. Wait for a while and the while sky will be filled." We smile and look at each other. I can't tell who liked who more but there's definetly a special connection.