Telluric

Chapter XIII: The Lake House

XIII

Noah woke in a state of mushy-bliss on Sunday, after the night before. He smiled to himself while trying to hide his content smirk behind a pillow that only absorbed the ecstasy slightly, leaving the rest on his fading-bruised face.

***

After the exciting game of bowling, as well as the friendly pizza get-together, Mayla had to bid farewell, as her brother asked politely for her to go home. With warm embraces to both friends, she left. Diego and Noah then began walking through the streets.

Diego and Noah walked in silence for a while, glad for the company. The cold winds delved within their happily exhausted souls, and they felt a small bliss within their perpetual snow globe of reality. Soon after Mayla left and the two walked for a little bit they found themselves staring at the gray ladies.

"That statue unsettles me a little bit..." Diego began suddenly, and Noah nodded in agreement. "There's just something about it..." He trailed off and the two stood watching the unmoving statue, as if for a sign of movement. There was none.

"I think it gives off an illusion of judgment," Noah explained wistfully to Diego, who said nothing. The two then walked to a bench in the center of the town square, which was actually a circle. The round road curved along a small park in the center, in which three benches stood on the edges.

From the center, you could see town hall; a large building in which Mayor Roxanne Montgomery lived and worked and where Carlos Paloma went to help. Also visible was the Library, a tall structure that house many books and was fairly popular, serving as a clock tower. The Blackbird's Perch was also visible and was constantly being used by citizens and visitors alike. Other buildings were visible though Noah wasn't entirely sure what their purposes were. The color tinted bricks seemed superfluous to him, though he knew they weren't to others. He was certain they provided shelter, occupations, or entertainment within themselves.

Diego inched closer to Noah, though Noah didn't catch the small movement. The sun was beginning to peak out from its cloud blanket, causing the current dull and dim colors to brighten and intensify, as it did. Color is expressed only by the particles of light in a space.

Diego looked to Noah, who seemed content in a sort of oblivious way. The negative energies that Diego was getting from the statue seemed to fade away, and the endearing glance he gave was then shared by Noah.

Isn't affection a silly sort of thing? It can control us, consume us. But despite the horrid things that it may put us through emotionally, physically, and mentally, nirvana resides within it.

Clouds moved over and allowed the sun to shine through. The moon was also dimly present in the corner of the sky, faded and tired as if it were just waking up. They sat for a while, though it seemed like just a second or so. Noah then began to rub his hands together, though not in a grim anxiety. Nervousness consumed them both, and they tried to pass the feeling away with trifle conversations.

"So um..." Noah began. "Did you do the History homework?" He asked nervously. He awaited a response, though only a nod followed this exclamation. Leaning his head upward, Noah laid silently on the back of the bench.

Diego then laid his head on Noah's shoulder. Noah was surprised, yet calm and he stopped rubbing his hands together nervously. The two sat calmly and watched various pedestrians walk through and by the bench they sat on. The sun shone on as it does, and the people moved on as they do, and the wind blew through the leaves as it does.

It was about six o'clock when Diego told Noah that he had to leave. Both of them fell asleep on the bench together, and had awoken just half an hour before. Noah smiled and nodded, and they exchanged goodbyes. Diego left quickly and silently, and suddenly darkness began to overcome the town as the moon shone and rose higher, replacing the now red sun.