All day I've just been trying to do anything to stop my mind from wandering. Erik was at work, his sister on a plane on her way here, and I didn't have work today. I had cleaned the entire apartment twice, even dusting each book and DVD on the shelf in the living room. My mind kept trying to wander so I just found new things to clean and organize. When that stopped working, I pulled on a coat and decided to go for a walk.
I ended up at a park a few blocks away. Surprisingly, there were a few kids playing in the snow, parents huddled together as they drank what I assume they told their kids was hot chocolate. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, I don't know. The thought makes me smile as I walk, probably making me look like a psycho so I stop and keep my head down. I shove my hands deeper in my pockets and try to bury my nose into the long neck of my jacket.
There's a small path Erik and I found once on a walk we took about two weeks after we met. Taking the bath, the trees become thicker the farther I go, the snow on the ground almost gone by the time I'm halfway through. It is a little warmer and I take my face out of my collar. That becomes a mistake as the trees thin out again and the temperature lowers again.
The trees disappear, revealing a small meadow about ten feet across. It's covered in snow, every inch perfectly smooth and untouched by man. There's a porch swing type thing hanging from a large branch that curved around weirdly. When you sit on it, you can look at the field in the direction you walk in. It's a nice seat in the summer when the flowers bloom and you can watch the sunset. I put it there for Erik's birthday, a place someone could sit if they ever wandered into the field. He made me carve my initials into it that day right next to his.
With a small smile, I walk over to the swing and brush as much snow off it as I can. I sit down and slowly begin to swing, watching the sky change and listening to the few animals that are awake run around. Sometimes it's scary because of the woods, but right now all I feel is peace.
I don't know how long I'm there for, but the sun is slowly reaching the horizon. As I notice this, there's the sound of branches snapping to my left. I start to freak out when Erik steps out of the woods and looks around. I smile when he spots me and starts to walk over.
"Hey," he says as he sits next to me. "How long have you been here?"
"Not sure. Maybe a few hours or so. What's up?" I turn towards him, staring as he smiles widely and his eyes capture mine. My body heats up and suddenly I don't need a jacket. He's so close, his arm and leg touches mine. I hope he doesn't notice how I shift and how my face is probably bright red.
His hand brushes against my thigh as he puts it in his jacket and I shiver.
"Are you cold?" he asks and I shake my head. "Sure." He rolls his eyes and places an arm over my shoulders.
"T-thanks," I stutter out, trying not to show any obvious signs. I've started to like him, that's become obvious to me, but I don't know how he feels and I barely know how I feel and it terrifies me.
"No problem." He tugs me closer and I have no choice but to lean into him. He smells like peppermint and coffee and his shampoo. I lean my face closer to his chest to try and smell him more. I realize it's weird but I try not to make it obvious.
We just sit, swinging slightly as we watch the sun fully set. The warmth from Erik's body seeps into mine and I lean against him to try and keep it that way. My eyelids get heavier and heavier until they finally close and I fall asleep with a smile.
YOU ARE READING
In The Eyes Of a Saint
Teen FictionI stare at the cars. I stare at the people. I look up and I stare at the sky. I stare at the clouds. A few birds fly by. I stare at those, too. Then, I look at the buildings. Some are completely lit up. Others are only partially. I stare at the cars...
