odes to the isolated [on hold]

ii

It was so rare that she would see anyone at the park, she almost couldn't believe it. He was tall and pale. Dark colored, neat yet, shaggy hair sat atop his head. She couldn't deny that he was attractive but she wasn't looking for a romantic relationship just yet. Either way, she was interested in why he was at the park. He was headed her way, though, he never actually looked at her. As he grew nearer, he finally acknowledged her. "Um... hi," he spoke awkwardly, "what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean? The park is public property, I'm not trespassing or anything," a hint of confusion lingered in her tone. "Oh yeah... I'm sorry. I'm just not used to seeing other people around here." "Yeah, I get that, the park's a pretty quiet place, never much going on," she laughed, the boy joining not long after.

"Reid. My name's Reid," he stuck out his hand shyly. "Isla," she replied, taking his hand and shaking it. "So, why are you here, anyway?" Reid asked. "Well, I used to come here all the time and write poems, you?" she questioned him back. "I just come here when I need to think. The bridge is good for that kind of thing." He took a seat next to Isla. "Yeah, it is," she smiled slightly. "So you said you used to come here, why'd you stop?" Isla tensed up, feeling less confident than before.

"Um... I - I don't know, really," she stuttered. Reid furrowed his eyebrows but decided it was best not to question it. "How long have you been coming here?" Isla spoke to break the small tension. "About a year, I think," he answered "how 'bout you?" "Since I was sixteen, up until I stopped for a year. Ironic, huh?" she said with a small smile. He chuckled, "Yeah."

It had been about half an hour since the two started talking. "Tell me about your friends or family, either works," Reid spoke. "I don't really have many friends anymore," Isla said hesitantly. "Anymore?" She scratched the back of her neck awkwardly. "Yeah, my best friend passed away a year ago. She... um... killed herself," she managed to choke out. "Oh god. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-" "It's okay, it's fine. There's nothing either of us can do to change what happened, so, just don't worry about it," Isla shook her head softly.

"What about you? Family? Friends?" "Well, my mom passed away when I was fifteen, I'm not all that close with my dad and I also don't have many friends. So yeah, that's that," he said. Isla turned her head but Reid was staring off at the lake in front of them. "You don't have to say sorry or anything, I'm fine," he spoke again before she could respond. "So, I guess that makes us even, then." Reid finished and they both smiled.

there's chapter two oh boy oh boy; is this even good so far? who knows

jamie x

(ps i stan reid)