You and I (EvanXConnor)

You Can Reach out Your Hand

The stop came sooner than expected. It came to an abrupt halt in front of the stop-sign. Connor jumped up out of the seat, grabbed his bag and walked down the steps. Evan, on the other hand, shakily stood up and hopped off the bus, his backpack draping across his shoulders. He stopped once he got to the sidewalk, looking up at Connor, who was staring back at him, making Evan shoot his eyes down at his hands, which wouldn't stop moving. Connor headed down the sidewalk, almost leaving Evan behind because he was so distracted. He had to sprint to catch up to Connor, almost falling on his face a couple of times.

        The silence seemed to stretch across the city. The only sound that disrupted them was the trees blowing in the wind. Their beautiful leaves fluttering around. Evan hated the silence. The nothingness made it seem even more like he was a nobody to everyone. Evan went to talk but before he did-- Slam! He ran into a street light. Connor let out a scoff-like laugh. Evan sat felt the pain swell up inside him before he started murmuring, "I'm sorry, so so sorry... " which surprised Connor. "Woah, you ok?... " Evan looked up at Connor. He had his hand stretched outwardly towards Evan. He rubbed his hands across his pants before grabbing Connor's hand. He pulled him to his feet, away from the light's pole. Evan looked down at his fidgeting hands. "Uh- Th-thanks..." Evan stuttered. "Yeah, just pay more attention next time, ok?"

      Evan pointed off into the woods. "Look, it's a Bristlecone Pine, one of the longest-living trees. They can grow to be approximately 5,000 years old," he blurted out. Why did I say that? Connor's gonna hit me, isn't he? Connor stopped, making Evan do the same. He wasn't sure if he should turn around; he did anyway, keeping his gaze fixed on his shoelaces. "Woah," Connor said, in awe, "That's amazing that you know so much about trees... You really are a nerd." He huffed- Connor's form of laughing- and a slight smile crossed his lips. "Heh, yeah I-I guess I am..." Evan could feel the sweat building up across his forehead and hands, which he brushed against his clothes again. Connor sighed, looking at the tree," Trees are beautiful metaphors, have you ever noticed that?" He stopped for a minute, looking at Evan before continuing, "They withstand everything. Sure there are a few that get knocked down by the wind, and some are chopped down, but really they can grow to be thousands of years old. And have you noticed how the bark is like a protective layer for the trees? It wears away and falls off the tree like it's losing its protective layer. Children climb them, but they still stand tall...." Evan stared at Connor in shock. Connor opened his mouth to say something, but Evan cut him off, "That was b-beautiful.... How did you think of something like that..? It sounds like you love trees, too?"

"Love is such a strong word, Hansen, but they are just so... inspiring..."

As they walked down the street, a house sat on the corner of the block, the garage door decorated with intricate paintings. Connor pointed at the house," Hey, Evan, look. It's so detailed and colorful." He continued on about the paintings. "I don't know much about paintings, I'm not a huge art person... I-I mean, art is beautiful but I'm just not any g-good at it..." Evan said, glancing over at Connor. He nodded," I was forced to take art. My parents think I need to have a talent like my sister, Zoe, but I just can't really see art as my talent." That's right. Zoe is Connor's sister. The girl of my dreams... He looked over at Connor, snapping back into reality. "W-Would you m-mind if I asked to see some of your a-art...?" "Oh, uh.. Sure, hold on." Connor sat down on the grass, digging through his bag. He finally pulled out a sketchbook and opened to a random page, towards the center of the book. He flipped through the pages. Evan decided to sit down next to him as he waited. Connor handed the sketchbook over to him. The drawing had many trees, big and small filling the page. Evan could name them all; He could tell each and every one apart. "This-This is amazing..." Evan murmured. "You can keep it overnight if you'd like, you know, to look through all of them." Connor uttered. "Oh, I-I don't think I could do that.. I would feel s-so terrible. What if something spilled on it. Or-" Connor cut him off "It's alright, just take it. I'm gonna need it back at the beginning of school tomorrow though." Evan looked from Connor to the sketch-book, then back to Connor. "I will take good care of it." Connor smirked, "It's not a pet, geez." Evan tucked the sketchbook under his arm and stood up, waiting for Connor. He fiddled with his backpack, trying to get it to zip, hissing the occasional "Shit". He finally got it zipped and flung it over his shoulder, standing at Evan's side. Connor then started down the street, staring at the street signs and the mountains.

Everything was so nice as the walked down the street. No distractions, no bullies, just the beautiful kind of silence. One that understood who you are for just a moment.

IM SO SORRY THAT I DIDN'T UPDATE YESTERDAY  @LilyBoylan WAS OVER AND I CANNOT WRITE IN FRONT OF PEOPLE FOR MY LIFE. PLUS WE GOT SUPER DISTRACTED. I TRIED TO UPDATE, I SWEAR. Anyways, I'll stop using caps and say, Im gonna update twice tomorrow. All of my motivation is gone tonight and I cannot focus.

So goodnight everybody- er, good morning/afternoon/evening depending on where you are and what time you're reading this! ugh I make things so awkward sorry

Sincerely, Bee