A Sunflower and the Pebble

Prologue

I sat in my lawn chair, watching the fire and chatting with my cousin. I needed that. To get out and meet new people. When your that close to breaking, that's what you need most is to stay away from being by yourself. It was a fairly cool night, not cold enough for a coat, but enough for a light sweater. It had been raining earlier that day, so the wood was still damp, making it crackle and sizzle more than I was used to hearing.

Bethany, the girl who invited me over, was off to the side, laughing and talking with her friends. I could see why she was so easy to get along with. In some ways, we were a lot alike. Both dramatic and both of us with a similar sense of humor. Actually, I got along with everyone there. But part of me felt...off. As if something wasn't quite right. I couldn't put my finger on it, though.

Lights lit up the yard and everyone turned as we watched a car pull in. A burnt orange Jeep. I still remember. The driver got out and said hi to everyone. But there was something...different about him. I couldn't help but stare. He was attractive. Very attractive. I felt my heart rate speed up a moment before I shook my head. No, get those thoughts out of your head! You still like Nolan, you can't think this about someone else! But...he did cheat on you...no, that's no excuse. You have to be the loyal one.

I went back to talking with one of the girls there, Mary, who was making double chin faces at me while I made them back. We laughed at each other while my cousin watched in amusement. I glanced back at the driver. He was talking to one of the guys there, but something about him seemed so...untouchable. The fire cast a glow on him, causing shadows to fall across part of his face, hiding it from me. I shook my head again, trying to focus on the conversation I was in. But, if I'm honest, I don't even remember what was said. My mind and eyes kept wandering to the driver.

Mary moved after awhile to talk with the others there, and for a moment I was relieved. I wasn't in any conversation and wasn't obligated to be. Strangely, it was the first time in a long time that I felt comfortable with new people, and at the same time incredibly anxious. I watched the flames dance about as the music played in the background. Indie, I think it was, though I can't remember the radio name. I even leaned to Angie to ask what artist it was.

"Just don't play 'Skinny Love' and we should be good." I said, laughing.

That's when he stepped in. He looked at me with wide eyes as he asked, "You don't like 'Skinny Love'?"

"No, I do, it's just a sad song and I don't want to cry." I don't remember him talking to me much after that...but I remember explaining to Angie what skinny love means. Two people who love each other, and everyone can see it, except them. Looking back, I never thought I would have skinny love.

The night came to an end as my cousin and I said our goodbyes. I admitted for the first time about my social anxiety and how I felt awkward being around new people. The driver looked at me and told me, "Just be yourself. I'm going to be me, Angie is going to be Angie, Bethany will be Bethany, you just be you."

What if he's the one? I sucked in a breath, "Okay." A nervous laugh escaped my mouth. How could a thought like that happen after speaking to someone for only a few minutes? It was ridiculous, to say the least.

The rest of the night I couldn't stop thinking of the handsome stranger. Callan. And despite my efforts, he never left my mind. I saw him on a few occasions after we met, but he never said anything to me. Until the summer when I became his sunflower...