Countdown Romance

Chapter 8: Brooks Easton is Not a Bird

"Thanks, Freddie."

I awkwardly shoved my hand into my pocket and looked down to avoid his gaze.

My eyes glanced over the old wood flooring of my front porch. The planks had grayed slightly on the sides, but gave off a homely vibe. The porch led out to a short path of stepping stones ending at the side of the road.

I loved playing hopscotch on the stone path when I was little. I'd draw cute but childish drawing on chalk on the stones and try to hop to the end.

I always ended up falling after the first three or four. Let's just say balance and I argue... a lot.

Freddie grabbed my arm snapping me back into reality. I tensed at his touch, but quickly relaxed.

"Allie-" He sighed as he looked down. His gaze quickly focused back to me. "Faith and I... We're here for you if you need us..."

Don't be stupid. Don't be stupid.

I moved my arm away from his grasp and chuckled slightly. "Why would I need help? It's not like I'm a banana or something..."

That ladies and gentlemen is what you call stupid in its purest form.

Freddie shook his head and gave me a look saying "are you stupid?"

Yes, yes I am, I thought to myself.

"Do I... even need to ask?"

I shook my head. "It would probably be best if you didn't. I'm going to go inside now. I think I heard some bananas needing help." I pointed towards my house.

Freddie kept the same worried and confused expression on his face. "Okay. Goodnight, then."

I quickly escaped inside the house and away from my embarrassment. However, my embarrassment followed me happily inside whistling as it taunted me.

I leaned against the door and slid down with my face in my hands. I grumbled incoherently until I got up to move into my bedroom.

I grabbed a few of the presents Freddie carried in for me to open later tonight. I didn't want to open them now. I guess you could say my party spirit is playing a game of hide-and-seek, and it chose a place I don't know about to hide in.

I placed the boxes beside my bed, so I wouldn't forget. I climbed onto my tall bed collapsing into the plush comforter. It was a simple forest green color designed in a quilted manner. I enjoyed the simplicity of my bed. Along with the brown wall paint that gave you the feeling of warm coffee and my wooden bookshelf and chair, I felt as if I lived in the woods.

I pulled my sketchbook out of my beige satchel. I plugged in my ear buds and turned on my go-to playlist on shuffle. It mostly contained upbeat rap songs that I could barely understand. I really just liked the beat and the way it sounds when they talk really fast.

I began to sketch out a character on a blank page. It would be a miracle if anyone could tell what I draw before I do line art. To others it looked like random scribbles on a paper. To me I saw a possibility of art.

Sketching always brings out your thoughts. To me, it shows a part of your inner soul.

I didn't really focus on what I had drawn. To caught up in the moment, I guess?

I looked down to see a very detailed and even possibly good sketch of my soulmate and me looking at each other. In the drawing my head tilted up since he towered a few inches over me.

The picture actually kind of took my breath away. The image of perfect, oh, and me standing beside it.

How long would it be until I saw him again?