To A Sacred Heart

School Trip- Love?

      Eighth grade was going great. You know, aside from Carolina and Ricky being lovey dovey all the time, we were doing great. The best part, we were all about to go to an amusement park for our last day of school.

       "Shawn! Hurry up!" Ricky called holding Carolina's hand. Both sounded much more American now, but their accents were still there. We were close and we had grown a lot together. Ricky found he loved English and was reading whenever we weren't talking. He was always holding some massive book and our teacher was always so impressed. Carolina was a math wiz. She was the genius of the school. Winning the competition this year made her really happy and she wants to do math for a living. Meanwhile, here I am always drawing, building, and just all together playing with things. I couldn't think of anything I was extraordinary at, just Average old me doing the usual everyday routine. 

     They still hung out with me though. We were always doing something, so this field trip was an adventure for us. Ricky even left his books at home this time. Still, I was missing Rai. She left a few months ago, and since I haven't told anyone about her, I can't exactly ask anyone about her. We never figured out a communication for long distance, but we never thought we would have to be apart for so long. 

      While we were in the bus, Carolina fell asleep on Ricky, and he was entertained by the movie the teachers had put on. I watched out the window regretting that I hadn't packed my sketchbook. The movie played in the background becoming almost the sound of nothingness. 

      "Shawn?" Rai's voice came quietly to my mind, her gentle nature shining as she did. 

      "You're back? Where are you?" I thought to her. 

      "I'm on top of the bus. Is there an empty seat?" 

     "Actually there is. Right next to me." I moved my backpack. Sure enough there she appeared with her feet curled underneath her. She seemed tired. She was always energetic, but she was always tired after some of her training camps. 

     "Can't believe I'm finally back." Rai started and hugged me. "I'm really tired though."

      I nodded. "Got to sleep. We have a while before we gethere." Funny enough, she actually fell asleep on me. I couldn't help but blush. My 14 year old heart was racing nervously. I always knew I was in love with Rai, but there's no way we could make that happen. I mean, she's an angel. I'm just a human. Not really compatible. 

    "Look! There it is!" A kid shouted. Ricky woke up and woke Carolina. I shook Rai a little bit and we all looked excitedly. 

    "This is going to be awesome!" Ricky shouted. Rai jumped excitedly in her seat. I wanted to get her something to remember this. 

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     We had just gotten off the second roller coaster when we walked into the first gift shop. I was watching Rai look around. As usual when I'm a group I fell silent, but Rai and I kept our conversation. I forget my friends are there a lot so I got the nickname "airhead" because I was always gone. That's only because I never let things distract me from Rai. I was fascinated by everything she does. I couldn't help it.
  
      I noticed how she eyed a necklace with a pair of wings. When she walked away from it I walked over. They didn't have the tacky stones all over it, they had craving for texture and looked almost real. I decided to buy it for her. I also got myself a new sketchbook with pencils with the amusement park characters in front.

      "Hey Shawn, getting a gift for your mom?" He asked.

     I spun around and anxiously looked to see if Rai had heard. She was too busy with the service dog to listen. With a sigh I nodded. "Yeah, i want to get dad something, but I can't find puzzles he likes." Ricky handed me a box. It was a puzzle of the characters. I took it and smiled. "He might like that."
 
      Then Carolina place a little glass figure of a pretty woman with the her child in her arms. "Your mom likes these." I gratefully accepted and paid for the gifts. I placed them in my pack and carried off with them I to the park. I was glad Rai didn't notice.

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      We were waking up from the bus ride. It was dark out and Mom and Dad were waiting outside. As walked to my family, Rai was sleepily holding on to my backpack.

       "Hey kiddo. How was your trip?" Dad asked. Instead of answering, I pulled out the puzzle and Crystal figure. Dad took the gifts and handed them to mom. "Thanks kiddo. Now let's get you home." I followed Mom and Dad to the car and when I sat down Rai was about to sit when Ricky's parents came and kept my parents out in conversation. I took the chance to give Rai her gift.

      "Rai. Close your eyes I have a surprise for you." She looked at me confused, but was too tired to argue. Once she closed her eyes I took out the necklace and put it over her head. She shivered. "Okay."

      When she looked she got a sleepy smile and wrapped her arms around me. "Thank you Shawn." And she fell asleep.

       "You're welcome." I whispered as mom and dad got in. I relaxed and feel asleep the rest of the way.