Across the Maps

Chapter 6

When I get home, I walk to my room and shut my door. Even though school wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, I feel like I need to be alone.

I sit down at my desk and pull out my folder that has my story written in it and a sharpened pencil. I grab the most recent sheet that I had been working on and examine it.

I am so close to finishing my story. I just haven't been able to come up with an ending.

I scan through it until I reach the place I had left off at. Closing my eyes, I think about my story and all the ideas that I could end it. But, I didn't like any of the ideas and when I tried to think of a better way to end it, nothing came to me. I let out a frustrated sigh and read through it again. After reading the page several times, I still haven't come up with a better ending. I let out another frustrated sigh and close my eyes again.

Then a knock comes from my door. "What do you want?" I yell in an annoyed tone.

The door opens and I turn around to see who it is. It's Cole. He leans on the door frame. His usually messy hair is combed back neatly and he wears a white shirt with jeans that have rips in the knees.

"I see you're in a good mood," he sarcastically says.

"Yeah whatever," I roll my eyes.

"Who ticked you off today?" he questions, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Actually," I exclaim. "School wasn't as bad as I thought it was."

"Then why are you in a such a bad mood?" he asks, curiously, arching one of his eyebrows.

"It doesn't matter," I say as I put the paper back into the folder. As I am putting the folder back into the draw, an arm stops me.

"What's this?" Cole asks, grabbing the folder from my hand.

"Nothing," I lie. I try and grab it from him, but he moves it away so I can't reach it. "Give me it."

He opens it and starts scanning through the pages. "Tell me what it is and I will give it back to you."

"Fine," I huff. "It's my story that I have been writing. Now give it back to me." I stomp my foot and he laughs.

"Okay. Fine." Cole reluctantly hands me the folder and I snatch it out of his hands as if my life depended on it.

"Thank you," I say as I shove the folder and pencil in the draw, trying to hide it.

"So what was your first day like?" he asks, gazing at me with his large green eyes.

"Well it was crowded and I had nobody to talk to except this guy I met named Jeremy. But he's only in two of my classes so most of the day was absolutely horrible," I explain sighing.

"Well that stinks. Know what would cheer you up?" he asks.

"No. What?" I reply, curiosity clear in my voice.

"Going to the creek. You wanna go?"

"Um," I pause, thinking. It would be nice to hang out with a friend after a whole day of quietness. "Sure."

We walk to the creek, chatting the whole way there. The wind whips my long wavy hair in my face and push it out of my eyes.

The creek is as peaceful as it always is. The tree's colorful leaves are falling and wilting with the season changes. The sun projects light on the water, making it sparkle. We sit down on the edge of the creek. Taking my shoes off, I dip my feet into the clear cool water.

When I turn, I see Cole doing the same. After he removes his shoes and short black socks, he puts his feet into the water, letting out a small yelp when his bare feet enter the cold water.

"So," he speaks, moving his feet in the water. "What's your story about?"

"Um..." I hesitate. "Why do you want to know?"

"I don't know. Why don't you want to tell me?" he turns to face me, his eyes bright.

"It's just kind of personal. That's all."

"Oh," his voice quietens. "Okay."

Sorry this is a short chapter. I'm not sure if it's good or not. Please vote and comment if you like it.