One Last Time

Chapter 8 | Hourglass

🎶
Yellow
(acoustic)
Coldplay

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Reed pulls out a picnic blanket and places it on the ground. He spreads the cloth big enough to occupy both of us. He runs back to his car then returns carrying a blanket with him to our spot. I take out a couple of fruits, sandwiches, muffins, and water bottles from the picnic basket. Once Reed settled himself, I can't help but ask him the most important question I've been keeping since we got here. "Is this even legal?" I said.

"As legal as my birth name. I happened to have encountered this place last month while I was finding an area to camp. So far, I'm the only one who knows about it, until now." How would he even know if it's legal? Whatever. Reed grabs a few grapes and sliced oranges to eat.

I snorted, "So why'd you bring me here anyway?" I tear a small piece off the grilled ham-cheese sandwich then ate it. Reed fiddles with his fingers, letting out a sigh. "Honestly, you're the only person I've been close to since I came to Thornridge. I'm not much of a social person so this is actually my first time doing major effort to make friends," he replied. Wow, I'm not much of a people person myself.

"What's with all the moving?"

"I got my first official book publishing offer from New Jersey and stayed for work. I visit California for vacation sometimes, and moved here for inspiration. The Salvator Library's quite famous. I felt like staying there would get me out of my slump. Your turn, tell me more about yourself."

"I told you all that's worth telling. Aside from that, I love gardening, and I have a bad habit of dancing whenever the library's empty," I cringed. I'm not sure what else to say. "As for a love life, nonexistent whatsoever," I boldly confessed.

Reed questioned, "And why is that?" I think about my response for a moment, "There was this one time, but it ended badly. I made efforts for it to work out again but failed. Eventually, he met someone, and seemed happier with her than he ever was in our relationship. It made me believe how we're so mesmerized by love that we forget that it isn't really infinite. You feel trapped, out of time, and left empty. You think you can start over only to have things repeat itself." My face naturally furrows from the memory of it. Reed doesn't pry about it further. I take a bite off a muffin for distraction.

Later, we decided to trek for digestion. I realized we've walked too far and long without minding which path we took. I pulled Reed's long sleeve, "Um, where are we now, exactly?" My panic must've been evident in my voice. Reed comfortingly holds my shoulders, "Not to worry, I came here earlier and put small stickers on the trees so we won't get lost."

"Oh good! Living the life of Hansel and Gretel is just what I needed," Reed halts in his steps, his hand signaling for me to stop, "Don't tell me you've found a witch," I sarcastically said. I wait for his reply but all Reed did was motion for me to take his hand. He seems to be the only calm one between us. "Are you sure you aren't here to kill me?" I half-joked. Reed patiently waits for me, not minding my question at all. He replied, "I found something interesting and oddly enough I thought of sharing it with you. Besides, when have I ever lied to you?"

I debate with myself whether I should completely trust him or not. So far, he has done nothing to harm me and have always helped even with the little things during work. If I didn't trust Reed in the first place I wouldn't have agreed to followed him here at all. I grab it and follow wherever place he found interesting, for the second time. Five minutes later, we're in a open grassy meadow filled with dandelions. There's a large willow tree at the center of all this. Red Flag.

"Woah there! Last time I checked, willow trees in the dark is not exactly something wonderful to be around." Reed ignores what I said and tells me to keep quiet. I look at him with absurdity, thinking he's crazy if he believes I'm gonna stay here any longer. Reed lets go of my hand and heads for the willow tree. Okay, I'm leaving. Right as I turned around, a small glow appears before me. It hovers for a second then flies away. My eyes linger to a sight of multiple gleams of yellow light floating from different directions, enveloping the meadow with their soft glow.

Fireflies!

Suddenly, instrumental music plays in the background. I search the area for its source then caught Reed holding his phone connected to a speaker. What amazed me more are the fireflies lighting up the willow tree. I head to the tree, allured by its beautiful radiance. I didn't notice I was smiling widely until Reed poked my cheeks. He bows down then extends his hand to me. I didn't plan on accepting it at first, unsure if I'd make a fool of myself or not. So far, this is the most I've spent time with someone for years aside from Ronnie. Again, Reed was patient with me as he waited for my consent. I hesitantly take it then he spins me around before bringing me to his chest. I laugh, raising my right brow at him while he sways us side to side.

"Dancing has been the first thing that got us to interact with each other without any snarky remarks so I thought it'll also help us get comfortable with each other," Reed explained. Well, he did caught me horribly dancing by myself. Not to mention he planned everything in the library just so I'd feel comfortable with him and not feel bad for what happened.

"You barely know me and you think physical contact's gonna help?"

He twirls me again then dips at the last second, "Whatever weird tactic it takes to get you to trust me, be yourself, and smile like that when we're together, I'll take it." He raised me back up then stares into my eyes, smiling with his dimples. I couldn't help but feel mesmerized by him. I cleared my throat and faced away from him for a second, an undeniable frown on my face.

Shit