Followed

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

"We should get going" says my mother to the Belners.

Linda nods and begins to walk to the door. I get up from my seat at the table, and notice the photos on the wall again. Everyone leaves the kitchen, except Travis and I.

Pointing to the man and the woman, I ask, "Who are they?"

Travis looks in the direction of my finger and answers, "Those are my parents when they were engaged." Gesturing to another picture he says "This is them around 5 years ago at a Beach in Ontario. Ah I can't seem to remember the name of it." Travis takes a look at the rest of the photos. "There are tons of pictures of them but I doubt you want to hear about them all." He says chuckling.

It's nice to listen to Travis speak-his voice shinning with sincerity. The stories that went along with the pictures were quite fascinating as well. Before I even had the chance to say so however, Linda and my mother call for us.

Travis glances at me. His eyes are so pleasant to look at. Grey with hints of blue, filled with knowledge and compassion. He takes slow long strides towards the door where everyone was waiting. It's at this moment when I notice how handsome he is. His reddish-blonde hair and slight freckles look like his mother's in the photo. He got his eyes and tall thick stature from his father.

For some reason, Travis makes me feel safer. Maybe it was the way he handled his little sister earlier this evening. Or maybe it was just his calm nature.

I follow Travis to the door and see everyone anxiously waiting for me. I apologize and slip my muddy blue running shoes on. While doing so, the thought of how I look at the moment comes to mind.

I haven't had the chance to look at myself lately but I feel disgusting and I imagine it shows externally also. Trying to act casual, I slowly glance down at myself. The teal and neon orange t-shirt I have on is wrinkled and splotched in mud and grass stains. My track pants are a reck and my exposed skin feels like its covered in a layer of dirt.

I look up, hoping that I didn't draw any attention, when I notice that I caught my mothers eye. As if reading my thoughts, she gives me a you-look-fine-dont worry, look.

That's my mom.

My mind reader of a mother. I flash her a slight 'thank you for trying' smile and tune in to the conversation.

"Again we can't thank you enough." My dad says to the Belners.

"It was our pleasure." Jim replies,"I'm glad we finally met you, and I'd say we learned quite a bit this evening."

We all nod and say our goodbyes, consisting of hugs and cheek kisses. I always disliked this part of the goodbyes and hellos. I'm awkward and the hugs don't feel right. The kisses are even more difficult because I never know the right side to air kiss first.

With that out of the way we all agree to keep in touch. Travis hands me a slip of paper with his cell phone number and I was about to give him mine. Feeling so idiotic I remember that I don't have my phone anymore. Listening to the hypnotic sound of pen to paper, I write down my families home phone number on a sticky note Linda gave to me. When I am finished, Travis takes it from me. For a second our hands come in contact and a chill runs down my spine. Surprisingly, however, it's a comfortable chill that causes a slight shiver.

I look into Travis' eyes and I can see he felt something too.

My family and I walk out the door and into my Dads car.

"Can I drive?" Asks my brother.

He is a beginner and is far from getting his drivers license. We all say no and Tyler slumps into the back seat to my left.

My father takes the wheel with my mother to his right and begins to back away from the Belner house.

In the window I see Jim and Linda peering out at us making sure everything was alright. I put on a genuine smile, but I doubt they see it. We drive for 10 minutes or so in silence. The only sounds present are the radio music and car engine hums.

The thoughts of today start to sink in and filter properly. My imagination becomes uncontrollably vivid in a matter of moments.

I sense a cold sensation in my arm and the voice I heard in the forest replays itself in my mind.

Closing my eyes, I imagine one of my favourite places to be- my house. Memories of home come rushing back. I remember one time, maybe 5 winters ago, our house had lost power. We huddled around the fireplace wrapped in blankets and spent the night playing cards.

My house has been with my family before I was even born. Through thick and thin, its been there. Sheltering us from the outside. I can't even imagine how difficult it would be if we were to move. It'd be like losing a member of our family.

With all scary thoughts gone, I open my eyes to see my house coming into view.

Finally, home sweet home.