The Tape Face Boy (Romance)

Chapter 4

A week had passed since I ever saw Tape Face again, but I knew he was there, listening to me.  Every night at exactly 12 o'clock I made my way back to the bench and just talked out into the darkness to him.  And everytime I finished, he made a sign that he had heard me. Let it be a rustle in the bush, or a flicker of the street light, or the shuffling of feet on concrete.  He never showed himself, but I knew he was there. And I was never scared.

     At first, I had just repeated I was sorry, and told him I hoped he had a good day.  Then, after night three I began to tell him stories of my day. And eventually it spanned into tales of interesting things that had happened to me.  I would laugh into the darkness on some occasions, and would hear clapping in return as a sign that he too was enjoying himself. I only wished that I could see the reactions on his face, but I understood why he wasn't showing himself.  Our first meeting wasn't exactly the best. But I never pushed him, in fact I never brought it up. I was just happy to be in his company, even if I never saw him.

     It wasn't until night nine that I brought it up.  I made my way to the bench in my pajamas and a robe, sitting down like I always had and staring forwards into the dark of the night.  I wanted to be able to see him, to touch him and shake his hand. I wanted him to know that he didn't have to be afraid anymore, that I had made a mistake and that I knew he wasn't a monster like everyone was making him out to be.  Not Tape Face. He was my friend.

     "Hey, Tape Face.  I hope you had a good day today," I paused, listening to the rustle of the nearby bush and smiled, taking up the courage to say what I wanted to say next.  "We have been, quote unquote, talking, for the past week. And I just wanted to say again that I am sorry about our first encounter... I can't get the image of your eyes out of my head.  You have such lovely eyes, and it sickens me how much I hurt you. You're a really good friend, and I just wanted to say thank you for being kind enough to listen to me even after everything that happened."  I paused once more, but this time there was no noise to assure me that he was there. I began to fidget with the cotton belt of my robe, to the point where I didn't realize that the knot had come undone. "If you ever decide to show yourself again, I won't scream.  I promise. You don't have to, but I just want you to know." Silence once more. I didn't really expect a response anyways, and the silence was anticipated. I let out a sigh and nodded, smiling as I stood up. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, Tape Face. Have a goodnight."

     I began to walk off towards my house, just exiting the light of the streetlamp and took a step into the darkness before my foot caught on the loose belt of my robe and I tripped.  My heart skipped a beat as I began to fall forward. It was too late to catch myself as I began to brace for impact against the concrete, bringing my arms up.

     It all happened so fast.  One second, I was falling.  The next, I felt myself stop as someone grabbed a hold of my arm.  I opened my eyes, which I had squeezed shut, to see the sidewalk just a few feet in front of my face.  Yet something was holding me back from that final impact, keeping me suspended off the ground. My eyes widened, and I could hear my heart pounding in my head.  I held my breath as anticipation was killing me, before I felt the hand that had grabbed me start to pull me back up into a standing position.  

     As I was being pulled back up, I looked behind me to find wide, hazel eyes staring into my own, a piece of tape stuck tightly to the mouth of the face.  He was standing in the spotlight, the scene almost surreal. When I was fully standing, I finally let out the breath I had been holding in. We were close.  Very close.  I could now see the two black hoop earrings he had on, and could distinguish the blue from the green in his eyes.  He now had both hands on either sides of my arms, as if making sure I didn't spontaneously fall over again. He still watched me with concerned, wide eyes, both of our breaths could be heard from the adrenaline rush. 

     I could feel a smile make its way onto my face as I looked up at the taller male, my eyes twinkling, "Hi, Tape Face."