Chapter 7: Empty Air

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I took a few steps closer to her as if I didn't believe that she was actually here. I felt like I needed some confirmation of her presense even though she had announced her location on her social media. When she finally took notice of me, that's when I spoke.

"Nice day today, isn't it?" I asked, wanting to say something that wasn't that big of a deal. Something that didn't crush any brick walls that took ages to build, or anything to possibly tick her off. Just a simple question. Nice day today, isn't it?

"Very lovely day now that you mention it," She responded, only half here. She seemed to be staring off into the distance, focusing her energy onto something that didn't appear to actually be there. Only empty air. What could be there that was occupying her mind? I then remembered that I have done the exact same thing, focusing on something that appeared to be nothing to others but meant a great deal to me. "You can sit down if you'd like," She offered as she slid further down the bench and tapped her index finger lightly on the space next to her. No matter how much I wanted to rush over to her and pour my heart out to her, I forced myself to walk over calmly while I raked my brain trying to think of what to say next.

"Thanks," I thanked just audibly as I sat down on the hard wooden bench. I kept a small gap between myself and her, I didn't want things to get awkward quickly, or even at all, but I knew that the air between us would eventually, sooner or later. What the hell do I say now?

"How have you been doing?" I asked, surprised that I was able to produce these words. I can't help but remember the days when it was hard for us to keep our mouths shut while in each others existence, that there was never dull air between us, that it was never hard for us to drum up words to say and that they just came naturally. Whatever happened to those days? She shrugged her shouldesr in response, like the didn't want to tell me her experience and journeys that have occured since the last time we talked, so she just quickly summed it up with a bodily gesture. We're definitely not the same anymore.

She crossed her left leg over her right as she lifted up her hands almost for the sole purpose of staring at them, admiring her nails with chipping ruby red polish that appeared to have once had sparkling gold in a swirling pattern stretched across. I began to tap my foot on the plush and bouncing rich green grass, half out of boredom and half of thinking. I never thought a day would come along when I'd have no idea what to say to Bo. Shows how much I know about the future.

"What happened between us?" I asked as if she had an answer to this problem that effected both of us, not thinking before I said what I had. I had just mentally slapped myself at how stupid I sounded when asking that, but there was no going back now as if any damage was done it was already so I might as well proceed. "We used to not have it in us to keep our mouths' shut while we were with each other and now we can't share a single word without it being awkward." I hope she agreed with me and knew where I was coming from. I didn't expect her to response but, surprisingly, she did.

"Wonder where all those days went," I heard her say as she looked up from her nails and made eye contact with me for the first time in forever. "Why'd you come to visit me?"

"Is it wrong for me to want to see a friend again?" I responded with a question, a slight hint of a chuckle attaching itself after, more than likely in attempts to lighten the mood. It seemed weird referring to her as a friend since I wasn't sure if we could even classify ourselves as friends anymore, the same thing that crossed my mind at the interview almost a month ago.

"I'm sorry about ignoring your every attempt to reach me, I've just been extremely pissed off these last few days an not really been in the mood. That's why I came here, to see that there is some sort of beauty in this world no matter how cruel it may seem at times." She apologized, it actually being sincere. But why would I ever expect it not to be? Whenever Bo said anything, she always meant it. She always stood behind it. That's what I liked most about her, is that she's not afraid to speak her mind, much like myself. She reminded me of myself so much it could be crazy, almost like we had known each other in a past life if we had actually lived one.

Despite having been struck by tragedy, she'd never spoken like this before so something must really be bothering her. What does she mean by 'some sort of beauty in this world'? This world was full of beauty, more so in some places compared to others, but there was beauty even where you wouldn't believe there to be any.

"What's going on?" I asked her, wanting to help her in any way that I could, I just hoped she still saw me as the caring, considerate, and concerned person I was, and still am, when we first had a conversation with each other that wasn't disturbed by Will.I.Am shouting something stupid that has to do with meso soup. She remained silent, probably not wanting to share what was causing her to act this way. 

"Break ups are really hard," She finally muttered, just barely audible. 

"I know that feeling all too well," I informed, matching her tone of voice. Break ups are hard for bother sides of the relationship, believe it or not. It's harder when you're on the short end of the stick but the person who stuck the knife in your heart and twisted it around more than likely felt pain while causing it, he or she probably had a reason. You might not be able to see it now but in the future you're almost glad they did. She brought her hand up to my shoulder to place next to her face and squeezed hard, wrapping the fabric of my shirt around her dainty fingertips. 

"I'm here for you Bo, and I always will be," I stated in a comforting voice one would use to sing a lullaby to a lamenting child. 

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Been edited! Had to do some major editing to the next chapter also. May post it today, but maybe not. Tell me what you think!

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