I think we sat in silence, there on the pavement for around ten minutes. Or it could have only been a few, only, all I could think about in my still, just waking up mind was her warm soft hand in mine and her breath on my neck where she lay beside me. Then I wake up. I can't stay, and if I did, I would never leave. That is how I lived for more than a year and that isn't going to change for a girl. Only I'm not sure. And it scares me.
"Are you okay, Charlie?" Rose asks me. And she doesn't sound scared or angry or confused. Just calm and worried. It would have been easier for her if she'd ran. A lot easier, for both of us. But whoever Rose is, I'm glad she didn't run, so I won't either, until she tells me to leave, like I know she will.
"Sure," I tell her, but my voice sounds too sad and nervous and I know its not true. So does Rose, I know she does.
"Don't say that because you're not, but I listen too, not just your park and your trees. "
"Of course you do Rose. " I wonder of she is looking at me, or back up at the stars but I can't turn my head. If I do, I won't ever be able to turn around and I know it. And I don't know why but lying here with Rose I fell calm and peaceful. And scared too. Very scared but of all things, that is what I know the least about and I don't like not knowing.
I stood up then, slowly. And hold out my hand.
"Won't your family be missing you yet?" i ask her. And she smiles like it doesnt matter, or i've told a joke. But she does get up, and she takes the hand i'm holding out to her and we begin to walk together down that same dark street, just lit up by the street lights from a while back that still flicker and glow around the corners. At first, its a slow walk, nervous, but i relaxed and held her hand tighter. I wasn't sure what that was supposed to mean, but it felt right and i hadn't met anyone for a long time, longer than i knew.
"Are you a vampire because that was the first thing i thought of after 'I'm crazy'?" She laughs. A proper laugh like Jess used to, and i laugh too because i can and everything feels so much better.
"Not quite, but it's not that different from twilight, apart from the whole granite hard skin thing. Thats just weird."
"Says the guy i just watched wake from the dead. And please don't eat me, at least take me to dinner first."
" If i could eat, you would be the last thing i thought of, i promise."
"Have you actually read twilight? And can you not eat?" She laughs even more and we turn from the darkened street to the lighter, housed street and cafes.
"Embarrasingly, yes. And only because i was bored! And in answer to your other question," I lower my voice a bit, and i'm not even sure why i am telling her this. "I already, kind of, died of starvation, so i dont need to eat. Miss it though..."
"Strange excuse, most people say thats anorexic. Wish i couldnt eat, i'd loose weight easier." She does the amused, shy, curious smile again and her eyes shine from the light reflection.
" Why do girls constantly need to loose weight? You're the first person I've talked to in a year. Properly. And you are definetly beautiful in my eyes."
"Well, im a girl and i have yet to find out, but some of the girls at my school could fit throught a needle." We both laugh together, and we walk further into the shopping streets, and pause outside a bakery, glittery and smelling like melted sugar.
" Any other glitches in your life?" She asks, and takes out a key, motioning with her head to a side door.
"Do you live here? Wow, and i cant sleep unless i die, thats part of why i turned down your earlier offer, this place is cool."
I try and drop that part into the conversation lightly, but Rose pauses or hesitates for a moment, before unlocked the small side door.
"Almost, This is my best friend's place, but she wo't mind and you are coming inside whether you like it or not.And she doesn't live her at the moment, so i was going to crash here for the night."
"Dont you think your Dad might need you tonight?" Up the stairs, and into the small neat flat, she stays silent. And she pauses again. And looks at me with the first tired, lost look she gave me after we first met. It was only about half an hour or more ago, but she knows i'm right.
I jump suddenly, as her dog, who i forgot about ran up the stairs and brushed against my leg on the way past. She laughs once again, and reachs down to stroke his head, still laughing. She doesnt look at me, but still speaks.
" If you promise to stay here, I will go."
That wasnt for my benefit, and she wanted to go home anyway, but I'll wait for Rose anyway.
"I'll wait then." I smile at her, again.
"I'll see you tomorrow, so make yourself at home, and I'll call you."
Suddenly, i realise just what I'm doing and take a step back. I almost run, and something scares me. Rose seems to know what i thought and smiles.
" Why am i not worried? Im inviting a homeless to stay over who i just watched die infront of me, and have you even got a phone?" She says, smiling again.
" I never needed one, lonely, remember?" And i point at myself, but my smile looks sad. Too sad.
" My number is in the phone book through there," she points to a door i see across the room, and lingers slightly. " I live a while away, but I'll see you tomorrow afternoon. "
She is worried, i can tell, but her family need her. My Jess needed someone, but nobody arrived and that isnt going to happen again. Rose looks up into my eyes again. Still all shy, amused and curious.
"I'll see you then," she says, and before I can think of what to say, she walks out the door, Dog in tow and closes in behind her.
For a moment, i stand in silence in the room, then shake my head. If I am staying here, like she asked, i should have a look around.
It is the sort of flat I would have liked to stay in. A large-ish, open plan lounge-kitchen-dining room, two bedrooms, one average, one like a closet or cupboard and a bathroom. No point checking the fridge, but i walk into the shower and begin to turn on the tap.
YOU ARE READING
Burn Long, Burn Bright
Paranormal''And after that, I just kept on walking. But now I have found a place that I don't need to leave and I can never leave forever, because there is only so much world to see. '' Charlie has been running from the past, to a big city. But where can you...
