Boys

Chapter 8: Issues

     The fall air bit at my bare, California tanned legs and arms as I stood there on the sidewalk, my hands clenched behind my back. I was shivering violently, but I wasn't cold. The smell of the air indicated rain, but I just stood there; contemplating.

    Meanwhile, a passenger plane flew unceremoniously past me, and I spotted Tyler's dad's truck on the road in front of me. I only got a glimpse of the sticker on the side before it sped away. I had to smile a little, thinking of the little things that I really missed about him.

     The smile turned to a small purse of my lips as I remembered something I told him before he left for Florida on spring break of last grade.

     My eyebrows sunk and my cheeks hung heavy with my lips.

Flashback
    Tyler was striding awkwardly up the stairs when I caught up to him. I laced my fingers with his and he smiled, a sweet smile, one you can see in a person's eyes.
    "Hey" he mumbled and I gave him a sweet smile in return.
    "M'gonna miss you" I giggled as he started to swing our hands up and down is a soft motion.
     "I'll miss you a lot more though" he teased. I smiled but then frowned. That was when I made the connection.
Florida
Vacation
Mandy
    Mandy was my best friend until 3rd grade when she went on a "vacation" to Florida with her family. It wasn't a vacation, and she didn't know that; neither did I. Mandy's family was moving there and and they hadn't even bothered to tell her.
She still lives there and I've never seen her or talked to her since.
I lost her completely.
A look of worry filled up my face and I realized Tyler was saying something.
     "What's wrong?" I opened my mouth mouth a little, realizing I had zoned out.
     "I just..." I stumbled. I wanted to pick my words carefully. "Last time someone I really cared about went go Florida, I list them for good"  the corners of his mouth turned upwards and he pulled me Into a warm hug, laying his head on mine.
      "I'm not leaving you" he sighed and neither of us let go. "I'm staying here even if my family does move" I let out a breathy laugh "I'll stay for you"
    I clenched my eyes and we finally released each other. The tension in my chest fled and we walked together the rest of the way up, bumping up against each other when the stairs were crowded. I really hoped he wouldn't leave me.
Present Day

    I thought of how much I liked him, how worried I was that he would leave me for good.

Suddenly, I heard a noise and jumped, running to the other side of the street and continuing to sprint down the road.

     A few yards out, I realized I didn't have my inhaler, but it was too late. A swimming darkness shaded my eyes and I felt my legs become weak beneath me as I struggled to find breath.

     I felt my way to the cold concrete and laid there for a second, forcing breath through my deficient airways, slowly suffocating.

**In case you were wondering, I actually do forget my inhaler most of the time so things like these do happen to me a lot
I've had asthma since the middle of sixth grade. We actually discovered it no more than than a week after I dumped Tyler, but that's a whole different chapter. I hope you continue to enjoy**