Bright Paradise

Kindness

I feel tears beginning to swell up in my eyes as I stare at the time on my phone.

5:30. He was supposed to be here an hour ago. I pull my legs up to my chest, and lean my back on the cold, metal park bench. I place my head in between my knees, and squeeze my eyes shut as tight as they would go. I refuse to let any tears fall tonight.

Why did he bail on me? Did he finally realize I'm not good enough for him? Have all of his friends convinced him of this? A million questions fly through my mind, but only one stands out.

Why am I never enough?

After about 15 minutes of this, I can hear footsteps approaching the bench I am sitting in. I look up, and am surprised. The face that looks down at me is not who I expected.

Of course, I expected it to be Connor, finally coming here to meet me, and beg for my forgiveness for his tardiness.

Instead, Sebastian Caro looks at me with curious eyes. Nick and I have been in the same school since middle school, but we only talk to each other occasionally, and it only consists of a conversation filled with formal greetings.

"Uh, hey, Evelyn. Are you okay?" He asks me in a concerned voice. Well at least someone cares about me.

I try to muster up a smile, and succeed half way. "Yeah, I'm fine, thanks." I nod my head slowly to try to persuade him, and myself.

"Are you waiting for someone?"

Quickly, I lie. "No, I just came here for a walk."

He gives me a disbelieved look, and I sigh.

"Yeah, I am, but it's no one important." I shake off his concern.

"Do I happen to knew this person?" He asks me.

I pause for a few seconds, and then respond. "Probably not."I lie again, and shrug my shoulders, hoping to show him that the mystery guy is irrelevant to me.

Trying to change the subject, I quickly ask, "Are you meeting someone here, too?" I question.

"Actually, I am. I'm supposed to meet Ron and Giovanna here..." He trails off for a few seconds, looking at something behind me, and then continues. "And here they come."

Not wanting to intrude, I stand up, dusting off my jeans, and look at him. "Well, I better get going." I half-smile at him again. "I'll see you around, Nick."

I begin to walk away, when I hear Nick call my name again.

"Yeah?" I turn around to face him again.

"Whoever the guy was that stood you up, doesn't deserve you. " He smiles at me as I think over his words.

"Thanks, Nick." And that time, i give him a real smile. Just a small one, but real all the same.

"See you around, Alice." Nick greets me farewell, and walks away to catch up with Giovanna and Ron.

"See you around." I whisper back. And with the smile still on my face, I walk away.

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Picture to the side is Sebastian, played by Wade Poezyn :)