Show Me Who You Really Are

Three

The Weeping Willow's leaves hung low to the ground like long flowing hair and under the longest branch a boy was sitting. Gabi approached cautiously since he'd been the only person she saw there. His hair was jet black and unkempt in loose curls that went in every direction. He was unpleasantly thin and pale, but his body was toned and he wore a black pullover with distressed, sky-blue jeans and a pair of black Doc Martens that had skulls drawn in silver sharpie.

He clenched his rough jaw together as he fought back a sneeze and twiddled the flower between his fingers. His amber eyes met Gabi's in a side-look, then returned to the flower. Gabi stroked the leaves of the willow as she sat down.

"It's dying." Said the pale boy. Gabi bit her lip and looked up. "You don't talk much?" He continued after a moment of intense silence. Gabi shook her head while looking down. "Ian." He said reaching out his hand. Gabi hesitated and shook his hand. Ian smiled and handed her the flower. Gabi sprouted a small smile.

"There we go." Ian said resting his head on the trunk of the tree. "I-I", Gabi sighed, "Ga-Gabi." She said. She felt the tears, but fought them back. Ian sat up straight. "You don't have to be nervous." He said. Gabi pointed to his bag and made a writing motion. "Paper and pencil?" Ian asked. Gabi nodded with a smile.

After being handed the paper and pencil, Gabi used her knee to write out a sentence. She handed the paper to Ian: I stutter a lot because I have a speech in pearment.

Ian burst into laughter and Gabi's  cheeks flushed. "There's nothing bad about your impairment. But, it's i-m-p-a-i-r-m-e-n-t. One worded." He said. Gabi took the paper back and nodded. "How about I ask you something and you write it on your paper?" He asked. Gabi nodded once more.

"How old are you?"
"12."
"Cool, I'm 14. Are you new?"
"Yes."
"Ah, okay. You'll be in middle school with me. I started school late because my mom was sick most of my childhood. Do you want to hang out sometime?"
Gabi hesitated, but he was friend-worthy.
"Sure."

Ian smiled and reached out his hand for a high five. Gabi high-fived him and smiled. Then she heard her mother calling from the side of the park that was closest to the house. She waved goodbye and ran over to her mom.

"Where were you?" Her mom asked. Gabi pointed to the willow tree. "New friend?" Her mom asked. Gabi nodded and quickly ran through the hedge. She smiled to herself as she folded the flower into the paper. She found her new friend.