Plagued

TWO

"Hey, Eva! Wake up, sleepyhead!"

I'm shocked awake, hitting the back of my head on the tree trunk.

Must I have dozed off? 

Which is odd, as I am usually, wide awake.

Samantha Talen, the loudest and smartest person I knew, seemed to find joy in seeing me speechless-to which she is laughing at now.

"I'm sorry Eves but I can't help it, you should have seen your face!"

Using the tree for support, I slowly stood up.

Samantha helped me up while giggling to herself, her brown curls bobbing around her face.

I turned my head to Michael, Samantha's boyfriend. Well, according to all the rumours at least.

"Are you up for this Eva? If you're tired, we can take you home. You could be fatigued from walking all the way down here."

He had always been the caring one in our small group, worrying over every little thing. Then again, that as just in his nature.

"I'm fine, I want to go."

I smiled at him to reassure that I was fine.

I caught Sam watching me, smiling I ask,

"What you lookin' at?"

I received a small smile, and her eyes reach mine.

"Oh, I just really like your jacket. Where did you get it?"

I pointed a thumb over my shoulder,

"I got it from the thrift shop in town, you be surprised what kind of stuff you can find there."

Looking at my friend, I took in her fashion choices for that day. A white wool sweater with ripped blue jeans and tanned wedges,

"You don't look too bad yourself"

This earned a smirk from Michael and a light blush from Samantha.

She turned away from me and towards mike's 2007 Chevrolet, and back again.

"Are we going or what? I wanna get there before the moon is out."

Shrugging my shoulders, I followed her to the vehicle.

Once buckled in, the petal is slammed down, and we went flying.

The window was open, and the air smelt fresh, even with the humidity. It was a perfect day to have some fun and relax with friends. It was a shame the weather forecast called for rain.

The clouds overhead loomed a dark purple, almost begging for the sky to fall. Even with a dark downcast, everything was very quiet, almost still; like the calm before a big storm. It wouldn't have been all that surprising considering how often we've been getting cyclones.

I could see the woods far in the distance, almost waiting for us to get there. Tall pine trees that swayed softly in the summer wind. The birds flying in the air, to their nests or away from them.

I wondered where all the animals went when the cyclones hit? It must be scary for them.

"Another thirty minutes and we should be there in no time."

I nod my head and looked at the scenery as we pass it. Squirrels ran and search for nuts, while a deer looked on, in a curious daze.

If only society was as beautiful as the world surrounding it; but I don't think humans are capable of such elegance.