Oddball

Chapter Four

Only four months into my new high school experience, I had finally made some friends. Other than Milo. Even though the new amount only added up to a measly 4. Ty, Katherine, and Oddball. After our encounter at Homecoming, we had started socializing more in class. Even though I'm shy, I can still make an attempt to be social. And Oddball made it easy.

I discovered that her name is Willow. Willow Skyler Thompson. She likes foggy days, the color white, her cat named Honey, and the crunch of fall leaves beneath her feet. She doesn't like dogs, people who are cruel, or pessimists. Willow is adopted and lives with two very lovely parents. Her mother is named Melody and her father is named Phillip. She moved to Steamboat Springs when she was 10 years old. And she has loved it here ever since.

I walk with Willow out to my car. I look at the cloudy sky as she clutches her book close to her chest, rambling on and on about her plans to fix up Steven's hamster cage. I smile to myself about how she plans such trivial, small things. I unlock the doors and get in the car. Willow says goodbye and then begins to walk off.

"Where are you going?" I call after her.

"I think I want to walk home." She smiles and begins walking again.

"Wanna go for some coffee?" I ask.

I'm not one for inviting people anywhere or even making plans after school, but for some reason I hope she can go. I chew my bottom lip eagerly as she stops a few feet away from my car.

She turns and beams at me. "Why not?"

I flash a grin back as she gets in the passenger's seat and closes the door gently. I back out of the parking spot and drive out of the lot, going downtown. We reach the tiny coffee shop in almost no time at all. Willow and I step out of the car and walk into the coffee shop. The aroma of coffee grinds and pastries floats beneath my nose.

Willow hurries to a seat by the window and looks through the glass. She smiles at the sights outside. A young couple laughs over a cup of coffee and both lean forward to share a kiss, a group of friends watch a man play guitar and give him a tip. I feel warm being around Willow. I guess it's because she just gives off such a happy, positive vibe. I smile and then look up to the menu board that hangs above the cashiers.

"Do you want anything?" I pull out my wallet and look for my cash. I find three wadded up fives, and two twenties.

"I'll just have a hot chocolate, please. You should try it. Best hot chocolate ever." Willow tells me, fumbling through her backpack and pulling on a jacket.

I always think that Willow is cold because she's so thin. I've always been curious as to why she is so skinny and small, but I've never been gutsy enough to ask. I don't want to come off as rude or ignorant to her, since she seems pretty warmed up to me. I just mind my own business and hope that one day an answer will come along.

I nod at Willow and walk to the register. A woman walks up and gives me a friendly expression.

"What can I do for you?" She asks in a high pitched, slightly exhausted tone.

"Can I have two hot chocolates please?" I hand her two fives and she gives me back four dollars.

"Coming right up." She smiles as she strolls off behind the counter.

I return to the seats where Willow continues gazing out the window. She seems so fascinated by everything around her. I wish I could appreciate everything as much as she does. But for some reason, I just see it all as it is. The sky is the sky. And the clouds are the clouds. And the people are just people. I don't see what's so great about all of that.

"Those big clouds up there are cumulonimbus clouds. It's going to rain. Maybe even snow tonight." She says with excitement.

"Willow, can I ask you something?" I laugh slightly as I grab a straw and pull off the wrapper, balling it up and playing with it.

"Sure." She nods.

"Do you just like everything?" It comes off my tongue a little dry, but Willow doesn't seem to notice.

"Well, like anybody else, I like things and I dislike things. But I just try to appreciate everything. We're not going to be around for too long, but we don't acknowledge that. We say life is short, but it really isn't if you live it right. You have plenty of time to appreciate life. It's up to you whether or not you want to stop and smell the roses." Willow shrugs as if this is just common sense.

I raise my eyebrows, impressed. "Wow." I say with a dumbfounded expression.

I've never heard something so wise from someone so goofy. Everything about Willow just seems surprising and unpredictable. I tilt my head as I examine her features. Her big, blue eyes and her pale face. Her lips are small and pink and her nose is ever so slightly pointed upward. She has very light blonde eyebrows and the most delicate eyelashes I have ever seen in the world.

She looks as though she is a child. Her expression is filled with joy as she stares back into my eyes. I can't help but smile, feeling a bit shy as I look away. The waitress arrives at our table and hands us our drinks. We thank her and begin drinking our hot cocoa.

The hot liquid practically scorches my tongue, but it's so good, I continue to drink it. I take small sips and then set the cup on the table.

"So, where do you get your philosophical views from?" I lean back in my chair, stretching my arms out a bit.

"Just my own personal thoughts, I guess. I gain all my knowledge from personal experience." She tells me.

I nod slowly and look out the window as it starts drizzling. I look at my phone and the clock reads 4:23.

"I should get you home." I say, finishing off my hot chocolate and standing up.

"You sound like a boy on a date." Willow giggles and stands up, pulling her backpack on.

"What?" I chuckle, "This isn't a date. Is it?" I joke.

"I don't know. Is it?" She replies in a puzzling tone as I open the door for her.

We get in the car and she leads me to her house. I pull up to the curb and Willow turns to me.

"Thanks for the hot chocolate. It was great. I had fun!"

"Me too." I admit, blushing slightly.

"By the way, if this was a date..." She trails off and kisses me on the cheek, getting out of the car. "Then see you tomorrow."

She strides off, up the driveway and through the front door. She waves at me and I wave back, then she closes the door and I turn to face the steering wheel. I look at my hands, puzzled. Was she kidding? I'm sure she was. I shake my head as I drive off down the street. But for some reason, I can't shake that warm feeling she gives me...