Just Another Happy Ending

Chapter 2: One New Friend

How much time needed to pass before things seemed okay again? Would they ever? People say times a healer but when you've lost something so dear to you, how does time simply fix it?

My parents cross my mind but only for a second as I somehow slip into this unstable state of mind that cradles me in a cold harsh embrace that doesn't seem breakable. Right when I feel the darkness taking me completely in I'm pulled from it.

"Riley?!" I shake my head. "Have you been listening to me?" Evan asks kinda upset that I didn't care enough to pay attention. I sigh walking along side him to the gym, which is what we had next. "I'm sorry Evan. I'm just not much on people." He gives a cheeky smile holding the door open to the gymnasium for me. "Not big on people?! So is that why you hated the thought of having to work with me?" I blush slightly climbing the bleachers. It was very noisy here but when wasn't it. I mean it is the gym after all. "I was hoping you hadn't noticed..." He takes the seat next to me as I go to sit down. He nudges me. "With that eye roll?! I'm surprised I'm the only one who seen it." We share a laugh but it's muffled by the squeaking of sneakers on the gym floor.

He glances over at me with a teeth showing grin. "For someone who doesn't like people, you sure do smile a lot." I fight a smile as I stare at the basketball players who are most definitely oblivious to what we are talking about. I find it amazing how with so many people in one place we all have different thoughts floating around in our heads.

"Can I be honest and not sound like a creep?" His eyes dart to the players on the floor as well. I turn to watch his face hoping maybe there's something exciting in it. Like maybe he's seeing something that I couldn't. I search his face finding nothing but his empty thoughts so I turn back to the court.

"Well I guess that's completely up to how you say it?" I huff trying to get the words right in my head and trying to pin them down before they fly out of my mouth and I'm unable to stop it. He nudges me again. "I was only kidding, Riley. Don't pester on it. Just say it." I see the little thread of possibilities and I tug gently at first because I'm afraid of what might unravel if I pull to hard.

"I've never been able to laugh like this with anyone. I mean it's true I don't like people but for some reason, I like talking to you." He smiles out into the crowd of people in front of us sitting on the bleachers and I wonder why to myself but I guess the question wasn't that important. "I guess that makes me lucky, huh?"

I fumble with the zipper on my jacket laughing a little to myself. "Not quite. I'm not exactly a very exciting person." He laughs as well directing his attention to me even though I don't give him any of mine. "You seem like a pretty cool friend to me." Now he has every inch of attention as I look over at him wanting nothing more than to hug him. Before I get a chance to pin the thought down, I'm hugging him and he's laughing softly.

"F-friend?" I ask a little more shocked than anything. He pulls back some with a smile.  "Yeah we're friends, right?" I nod rapidly pulling away from the hug and he can't help but to chuckle softly. "Well friend...would you like to walk the track with me?" I smile to myself thinking of only all the possibilities that came from tugging on that small thread. "Yeah, I'd like that."

We stand and head to the track door at the back of the gym. Maybe one friend was all I had but one was enough. All at once all those bad things that weigh in my head are gone and the smile on my face feels like it's set in stone and not even God could break it from my face.

Maybe it's not about having a good life. Maybe it's about having the little things that make life worth living and the people that give life a whole new meaning.

I know this one wasn't as good as the first one but I gave it my best shot. The next one should be better. I'll get it up within the next couple days and again, thanks for reading. ❤