Something between Us

Chapter 2

I liked to be alone, not in the loser no one likes me or wants to play with me kind of way. I quite simply like my own company. I long to feel as free as a bird when my head leans back as I push my tiny body as high as I possibly can on the rusty old swing set. My legs kicking back and forth to push me higher, I feel like I am one with the clouds, filling me with glee. 
I've never felt left out watching the other kids in my class running after one another playing together how children do. Their smiles wide from ear to ear covering their chubby faces. I simply laugh to myself as I watch the fun. I was always mature for a kindergartener; so, when one little girl got too tired to keep running I decided it was time to join in and play. She could take the swing set for a little while. 
As I excitedly jump from the swing set my bony foot became tangled in the string and I fall. My face darts to the floor but my hands are outstretched, breaking the fall. The gravel, rough against my silk skin; my skinny knee now the host of a large graze, blood trickling down.  
He came to my rescue, just as my emerald eyes began to tear up, a pair of dirty white converse stood in front of me. 

I look up, to the dark haired, loosely curled boy, with t he bluest eyes smiling a toothless smile. Little did I know then, he was the boy that would change my whole world. He smiled at me sympathetically with his arm stretched out in front; nodding at me to accept it. And taking his and would set the foundations for my childhood.

I'd never seen the boy before but I willing accepted his gesture. He was new to class. But somehow when I took a moment to look at the boy; his t-shirt, black with some action figure on that I don't recognise, accompanied by a pair of blue denim jean shorts. I feel like I had always known him. I willing take take his hand, offering in return of his sweet smile a smaller smile filled with relief and gratitude. 

His smile has always made me feel safe, even as a child just meeting him. I remember how he looked me up and down and couldn't help but giggle at me; the sweetest sound I have ever heard.

I am immediately offended by is laughter, what's so funny. I thought to myself curving my brow so high it could reach the sky. Something I learned from my mom. His voice finally revealed a beautiful sound, "You're clumsy for a dancer," his laugh grew louder this time. For half a second I couldn't work out how he new, until it hit me that I was wearing my ballet pretty pink leotard with my matching silk satin skirt, matched with tights and leg warmers.

I used love wearing my ballet clothes, on the days I had class my mom would always struggle to get me out of them. On school days I would comprise by wearing my grey fluffy hoody, to keep me warm when I'm insistent on wearing my leotard as skirt.

"Thank you" I smile, shy at first. "for helping me." I whisper to the strange boy.
"I'm Ally and I'm going to be a ballerina some day," my confidence for a kindergartener is quiet something.
"Hey, I'm Chase," Chase. My Chase.
I laugh at the memory of Chase holding his hand out for me to shake it, such a mature gesture for such a young child.
"And I'm gonna be a singer one day," he smiles so sure of himself, "or go to space."
He quickly retracts his initially confession, "I haven't decided which one will be most fun, yet."
 "What about a singing astronaut?"
We laugh harder, soon realising how our matched ambitions compliment the other.

The was the day I realised. I like playing alone. But I liked Chase more.

*******

After that day Chase and I became inseparable. My childhood was filled with his sweet smile, his minty scent and the loud roars of his infectious laughter. As well as being constantly teased by Chase for my choice of clothes, my squeaky voice and my obsessive need to be the best at everything. Chase would tease me for anything that would come to mind. Somehow, he got away with it, every time. All he had to do was flash me his playful brilliant white smile. The moment he would do that I'd give him an annoyed eye roll nudging him with my scrawny elbow; letting him get away with anything, from Kindergarteners, too teenagers, Chase was my childhood: and I wouldn't had had it any other way.