Drowning | ✔

2

It's a warm Saturday when I tell Holly I'm going out to shop for a bit. Although surprised, since I don't often shop, she just shrugs and nods me off. Grabbing my coat and purse, I unlock our door then step outside. The sun is already high in the sky and all the little critters are awake and roaming around. 

The sun feels good on my face, and I bask in it for a second before continuing towards the shops in the downtown area. During the day, it's a lively place with happy families shopping, but at night, it's one big party. I don't often go out to the city during the day, either busy with some work or just too lazy to get my ass off the couch. 

Smiling to myself, happy that I'm finally out after a few days, I walk brightly down the sidewalk, passing a few kids free from school for the weekend. I soon find my thoughts wandering towards my family and how they are holding up. Last I left them, they were just scraping by, trying to help send me off to a college in hopes that I'd do much better than them. But that's what every parent wants for their child: for them to do better since they're supposedly "smarter". Still young, but so far, I'm fulfilling that request. I have money in the bank and in my pocket. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rich like some people, but I have enough to eat and pay my bills. Of course, I have help. Holly works at some dental office which obviously brings in enough money for some desserts after dinner and a few take-outs. 

And then, just like that, those eyes pop back into my mind, almost startling me. The endless questions return, giving me a mild headache. Who was that? Why did they look at me the way they did? It was almost hostile, yet guarded. I can't quite judge him since I, too, have my walls built up high since... well, since a year ago... since the incident. 

Shaking the thoughts from my head, I soon realise I'm already wandering aimlessly through the city streets, passing by potential shops. 

I stop and look through a window at a pretty necklace sitting on a mannequin. Before I can analyse it any further, a kid bumps into me, almost knocking me over. A pair of hands grab me before I can fall over. I catch my breath, my eyes wide as I look up at the person. I'm startled to see those deep brown eyes piercing into mine, obviously recognising me. 

"Isy, come on!" 

I swivel my head to see a little girl jumping up and down, waving for him to follow her. The man lets go of me, leaving me to catch the rest of my balance. He nods slightly my way then walks briskly after the little girl, taking her hand in his as she leads him to another store. I watch them as the girl points to shiny objects in the store windows, pouting when Isy shakes his head no. I'm guessing his name is Isaiah or Isaac or something along those lines. Or it could just be Isy. I'm not one to judge. 

Isy glances over his shoulder, and I quickly avert my eyes, staring into the store window as I feel my cheeks turn red. I peep at them out of the corner of my eye, but they already had turned a corner down another street. Although they're gone, his eyes linger in my mind. He could put anyone in a trance with those eyes. So cold, unfriendly, dark. Yet he has a little sister or so I'm assuming. Nonetheless, I never thought someone like him would have someone as bright as that little girl. They were complete opposites. 

Opposites attract.

Blowing out a breath, I shake my head and turn back to the necklace but someone is already pulling it off the mannequin and holding it up to the light, a bright smile on their face. I watch through the window as they hand the cashier a wad of cash then pull a girl into view, gently clasping the necklace around the girl's neck. The boy pulls her into a quick kiss and she clearly giggles, swatting his shoulder playfully. 

Sighing, I turn around. I'm so lonely. 

I walk past other shops, but my mind's occupied by a certain pair of eyes. I've only seen this guy twice, and quite briefly, and still, his eyes already interest so much I've come to the point where I'd say I'm almost obsessed. But it's too early for these kinds of thoughts. Last year showed me that rushing something you want isn't always the best option. People always say patience is a virtue, and I didn't realise how true that was until last year when I had everything but patience. I had wanted to rush everything and look where it got me. I had crumbled beneath all the pressure and emotions to the point where...