So where are you taking me?
“Well if I tell ya that, it’ll ruin the surprise. So just sit back, get comfortable and enjoy.”
It’s calculated and well thought out what I do next, but the minute I do it, I know it’s the right move. Turning on the stereo and turning the volume up just enough for her to still be able to hear me reply if she writes, I scroll through my iPod until I find the right music. The minute the band starts playing; I look across and I’m met with the best reaction.
She closes her eyes instantly and leans back in the seat. I want to know exactly what she’s thinking about as she’s doing it, but saying anything now would ruin the moment. So turning back to the road, I pull out of the parking lot, my mind now focused on getting us to our destination.
I thought about this a lot last night while Dean was throwing another party. He did it twice a week like clockwork and with the music blaring loud outside my door, Isabelle texting me back and forth; the idea took form in my mind.
With the way she sits under the tree every day for lunch, I thought she would like it if we went to Wexfield Memorial Park. I haven’t been there since I used to ride my bike on the trails, but the place is filled with trees, like the one she sits under and since it hasn’t gotten too cold yet, it’s the perfect time to go. Well, other than summer.
It’s actually kind of selfish what I’m doing.
I used to do this kind of thing with my mom when I was little. She would take me out there and we’d sit under the trees and watch the leaves fall. She used to love being surrounded by all the colors. I don’t have a lot of good memories with my mom, but this is one of them. Up until recently, there wasn’t another human being alive I wanted to share it with.
It’s stupid and probably a little gross, but she reminds me of my mom, at least in the way she seems to enjoy her time outside. That’s why she’s the only one I can do this with.
When we finally get there and I put the car in park, she opens her eyes and takes it all in. This is one of the times I wish she smiled, because I swear right now she wants to. I might be a total asshole when it comes to girls, well an asshole when it comes to everyone really, but I can tell right now I’ve done something right.
She starts fiddling with the paper and I watch as she scribbles fast across the page. With as fast as she’s going, she’s almost matching the beat of my heart with the eagerness I have to read what she’s writing me.
You want to have lunch with me at the park?
“I do. I know it’s not your usual spot, but just over the bend there,” I say pointing out the windshield to what I’m talking about. “Are a whole lot of those same trees.”
It takes her no time at all to write back this time and when I read the response as she unfastens her seatbelt and opens the door, I can’t help but laugh. Yeah, I definitely did the right thing bringing her here.
Well what are you waiting for? Race you!
I give her a minute as I watch her race across the lot until she’s on the grass, enjoying her happiness and excitement, something that even though I’ve known her my whole life, I haven’t gotten to see. I want to lose this race if it means that I get to see her this way.
It’s the way she should always be.
It’s only as I finally get out of the car that I hear the now familiar ringtone go off and stop to check it.
You’re slow.
Two words are all it takes and I’m doing it again. Smiling. I swear it’s the only thing I’m capable of doing anymore with the way this girl brings it out of me. Typing back a quick message, I put my phone back in my jeans and take off running. It’s time to make her pay for that and when I catch her, she’s definitely gonna pay.
Chapter Twelve
Belle
This is probably the first time in a long time where I’m really happy.
The way the wind moves through the trees, the smell of the freshly cut grass crunching under my feet as I’m running as fast as I can away from Kayden, his laughter loud and clear as he chases after me. It all makes me happy. It’s a breezy day for being early fall but not cold enough to bother me. It’s pretty close to perfect.
Starting to feel the burn in my throat as it warns me I need to slow down, I ignore it and push even further ahead. I’m almost all the way to the very place Kayden pointed out from the car and for some reason I want to be the first one there. I might not get to come here as much as I used to, but I remember it well. Mom, Tristan and I came here a lot before, bringing the picnic basket and blankets along. It’s some of the best memories I have, at least before everything seemed to get hard.
Right as I reach my destination, I turn around to celebrate and I’m swept up into a pair of strong yet familiar arms, being swung around in the air. I’m not sure what it is, but there’s a squeak sound that comes out of my mouth as he swings me. He slows down so my feet touch ground and I immediately try and cover my mouth.