A Recollection of Ideas: A Series of One Shots

Ugly stares, ten foot circles, and minimal conversation. That’s what I get at school. You would think I came from Mars, but I didn’t, I promise. They just treat me like that. I don’t even know why. They just…do. Yeah, I wear dark clothes and band shirts. I’m supporting my favorite artists, like someone might wear a Nike shirt because it’s their favorite shoe brand. Hypocrites, all of them.

Every night I go up to my old elementary school to swing and think. Just rocking back and forth, nothing too much. It just lets me think, lets me escape. Tonight, I sat on the swings, staring at the clear sky. The stars danced like distant ballerinas. I sighed and smiled weakly.

That’s when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around, my eyes finding someone hesitate, their hands in their pockets. Brown eyes gleamed in the dark.

“Mind if I sit?”

“No.” I responded, nodding to the empty seat next to me. I felt my chest tighten up as the man sat down. His head was bowed, the tips of his shoes barely pushing him back and forth, back and forth.

“What’s your name?”

“Katlyn. Yours?”

“Jaime.” The kid finally shrugged. He looked my age, no older. We sat in silence, shadows against shadows. Eventually I felt the man’s eyes land on me.

“So do you come here often?” I shrugged, nodding slightly. The boy huffed against the cold.

“Most nights.” I added. “What brought you here? I haven’t seen you at this park.”

“I just thought I would go for a walk. Escape the house, you know?”

“Oh trust me, I do.” I groaned. The only reason I came out here every night was to run away from my house, from my loud and constantly arguing parents. Jaime threw me a crooked smile.

“At least we have something in common, Katlyn.” Jaime nodded. I blushed, feeling his eyes land on me once again. Jaime stood up, moving to be right in front of me. I looked up at him curiously. He held his hand out, beckoning me to take it. “Come on, I want to show you something.” He spoke softly, coaxing me out. I took his hand. His warm fingers linked between mine as he swiftly went off. I struggled to keep up with his long strides. Before I knew it, we were at a hill right behind the park, just overlooking the school. He sat down, pulling me to lay by his side as we stared up at the striking sky. The stars seemed brighter from this angle.

“I like to come up here to stargaze sometimes. Isn’t it wonderful?” Jaime whispered, as if the sky would shatter if he spoke too loudly. I nodded, struck with awe.

“It’s gorgeous.” I breathed. His moved his hand from mine and I almost whined at the loss of touch. His hand then wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. I felt a little odd with the comforting touch of a stranger, but I was warm and it was nice to have a friend willing to stay in the dark with me. Jaime’s arm wrapped around me. I put mine around his chest, leaning into the warmth. He hummed happily.

By the time it was midnight, we were both wrapped up in each other, but I knew I had to go, had to return. I stood up, sighing. Jaime followed my motions. I looked up at his brown eyes, smiling. I was thankful the night hid my blush.

“I have to leave, but I’ll see you soon.” I whispered. He hugged me tightly. I buried my face into his chest. He smelled like grass and sweet happiness.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” And I knew what the time and place we would meet. It didn’t have to be spoken.


A week later…

We had met every day, always at eleven when the night as dark as the deepest trench in the ocean. He always came with a blanket so that we could meet at the swings, talk, and then go stargaze. We got to know each other, learn about our families, about our likes and dislikes. We happened to be into the same music which was just a bonus. He was cute and adorable. Jaime always had these dimples that popped out when he smiled. He was cute and loving, sweet and protective. Jaime always made sure that I was warm, that I was comfortable. He was just…perfect.

Our meetings always made school a little easier. I could block out my parents’ arguments. My thoughts were always concentrated on meeting the cute boy in the park.

I waited, the time of our meeting coming near. I swung happily, closing my eyes and breathing deeply. I heard crunching behind me and a hand clamped around my shoulder. I spun around to see an unfamiliar face.

That was definitely not Jaime.

I yelped and ripped away from the man with a ripped plaid shirt. “Aw baby, come on, I’ll make it nice and easy.” The man purred evilly. I turned and ran, stumbling around the small play equipment, searching for a way out. Too quickly, I was pinned up against the side of a wall, arms at my side. I thrashed and twisted in the man’s grasp, but he was strong. I felt a hand trail to my shirt, starting to run his hand along my chest, up to my bra.

And then the man was ripped off. I sunk down the wall, shaking violently. I looked up, hands over my ears as someone growled.

“Don’t touch her.” Jaime snarled, throwing the man off me. He punched the would-be rapist in the face. The man yelped and ran off, limping all the way. Jaime knelt down at my side. His hand touched my shoulder. I fell into his arms, gasping for air as if I was drowning.

“Are you alright? Did he hurt you?” he asked me worriedly. I shook my head. Jaime helped me stand up. I just fell back into his arms. He scooped me up, carrying me back to our usual spot on the hill. We sat down. Jaime rubbed circles on my back while I recovered.

“Thank you, Jaime.” I buried my face into his shoulder. He hugged me tightly before grabbing my shoulders and pulling me out to face him directly.

“I have something important to ask you.” He started off. I gulped and my brown furrowed. What did he want.

“What is it?”

“Well I hope it hasn’t been too quick but…Katlyn, will you be my girlfriend?” He asked me. I squealed and fell into his arms. He yelped in surprise.

“Yes!” I cried out in glee. He chuckled, bursting into laughter as bright as the night sky. I kissed his cheek quickly and saw dimples appear in the dark.

“Oh good.” He mumbled. We tumbled and lay on the grass. I rested my head on his chest, cuddling up to him until I fell asleep.

Notes

This is for PiercetheKatt. Hope you liked it!


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