The next morning I woke up to find Malinda back in her cot. Was it all a dream? Did she never leave, was I wrong? I then decided to stay awake that night and wait to see if she left again. I would stay up every night if I had to, I needed to know where she went.
The day dragged on and on, like it knew I was waiting for night to fall. But finally it did and Malinda and I both crawled into our beds, said our goodnights and both went to sleep. Well, she did... maybe. I turned my back to her and did my best to stay awake. About an hour into my stake out I heard her stirring. She moved about through the room for a few minutes and then left. That was my queue to get up and fallow after her. I could only guess where she was going...
I stole out of my room into the stairwell silently. I stood there for a moment and listened carefully. From what I could hear she was heading for the steps to the first floor. Quickly I raced down the stairs and waited in the hall for the sound of the door. Luckily for me the front door squeaks.
I went into the bathroom and sat on the window sill. Luck must of really been on my side that night, because the moon was full and washed blue light over everything. Including her running in the darkness over to the path leading to my tree. Down it she ran, every step quicker then the last, twice she nearly fell but regained her balance both times and continued on until I couldn't see her anymore. That’s when I made my move.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Myles, Twenty-One.
The next week went by horribly slow. Sometimes it felt as though minutes turned into hours, so you can only imagine how long a day must of felt to me. We spent time together everyday for a while, until we got sick of each other and went our separate ways. Which was fine with me, more then three or four hours at a time with her was too much. Her endless chatter and mindless story were enough to make anyone with half a brain scream for mercy. I also found it odd she didn't once go see Myles. Nor did he come to see her. They seemed to have had such a great interest in each other before.
At the end of week one her wonderful visit I woke up in the middle of the night from a bad dream. The dark clouds were looming over head again, I could feel it. I gazed at Malinda’s cot, it was empty. I waited up for hours and hours for her. She didn't come back from where ever she was. Soon lead coated my eye lids and I was fast asleep.
At the end of week one her wonderful visit I woke up in the middle of the night from a bad dream. The dark clouds were looming over head again, I could feel it. I gazed at Malinda’s cot, it was empty. I waited up for hours and hours for her. She didn't come back from where ever she was. Soon lead coated my eye lids and I was fast asleep.
Myles, Twenty.
I couldn't stand it anymore, one more minute of there banter would of sent me over the edge. I turned and away I went. The house seemed like the place to go, but instead I ran behind the house. I hadn't been behind there in such a long time. I guess I stopped going behind there when I no longer found the swing set amusing. I walked over to the pile welded steal - possibly now a death trap- and sat down on a swing. Things weren't going the right way at all. I had it all planned, it look so wonderful in my head. What went wrong already? I lowered my head in defeat. We were just too different now, I had to realized that.
I heard something and glanced up. It was Malinda. She looked upset. What she was upset about what beyond me. Men were throwing themselves at her feet here, she had an already wonderful life back where she lived. What could she possible be feeling bad about? "Cindy, can I come swing with you?" she said in a small voice. "It's a free country." I said and looked back at the ground. "Cindy, I know you are mad. We both should have left when you said, it wasn't right of me to stay. I am your guest, I have to remember that." I was silent, "These swings have a lot of memories," she continued "we had a lot of fun on these swings. Hours and hours of pumping our legs to reach the impossible goal of flying over the top of the bar." She sighed deeply "Things aren't going to be the exact same, you and I both know that. We like different things now and have both changed," she pause and looked my way, "a lot. We will just have to stand each other for the next couple of weeks. And hey, if we get sick of each other we can just do our own thing. This place is huge it shouldn't be hard to do." she was right, whether we wanted to or not, we had to get along for weeks to come.
I heard something and glanced up. It was Malinda. She looked upset. What she was upset about what beyond me. Men were throwing themselves at her feet here, she had an already wonderful life back where she lived. What could she possible be feeling bad about? "Cindy, can I come swing with you?" she said in a small voice. "It's a free country." I said and looked back at the ground. "Cindy, I know you are mad. We both should have left when you said, it wasn't right of me to stay. I am your guest, I have to remember that." I was silent, "These swings have a lot of memories," she continued "we had a lot of fun on these swings. Hours and hours of pumping our legs to reach the impossible goal of flying over the top of the bar." She sighed deeply "Things aren't going to be the exact same, you and I both know that. We like different things now and have both changed," she pause and looked my way, "a lot. We will just have to stand each other for the next couple of weeks. And hey, if we get sick of each other we can just do our own thing. This place is huge it shouldn't be hard to do." she was right, whether we wanted to or not, we had to get along for weeks to come.
Myles, Nineteen.
We were about to pass Myles house. My heart beats accelerated, and so did I. I walked faster hoping to get that house out of my sights with out any trouble. Malinda fallowed right along side me, and unfortunately for me so did the source of my anguish. Myles stood on the far side of his house. I try to pass quickly, not looking at him. Malinda on the other hand wouldn't pass by as willingly. "Who is that?" She said, her eyes widening. "No one lets just keep walking." I looked at Myles for a moment. He had a big grin on his face, and when he saw the look of terror in my eyes, it grew bigger and his eyes became dark.
"Cindy! Cindy! Wait up!" I didn't wait of course, but Malinda did. Forcing me to stop too. "What do you want Myles?" I said as he approached. "I just wanted to say 'Hi'," he said in a shocked tone, "And to see who your friend is." he flashed Malinda a winning smile, and raising one eyebrow in curiosity. She shot him a flirtatious grin back. "I'm Malinda," she said stepping forward and putting out her hand ever so slightly, forcing him to step even closer to her to shake her hand. I thought she said she had a boyfriend... How odd. "I'm Myles," Their eyes were locked for a long moment. For some reason it made me furious. Maybe it was because I hated Myles, maybe it was because my best friend was making goo goo eyes at him. Whatever the reason, I was mad.
I grabbed Malinda's arm, but trying with all my might to pull her away from the heathen, but it wasn't good enough. She didn't budge, not even an inch. Then she shot me a dirty look then glance sweetly back at Myles. "Malinda it's time to go." I said tugging on her arm again. She pulled her arm away violently, "What is wrong with you?! Stop acting like this!" She said in a horse whisper. Stop the way I'm acting! How dare she say that to me. She told me he sounded like a psycho and to stay away from him. And yet here she was batting her eyes and giggling at everything distasteful word that oozed out from between his lips.
"Cindy! Cindy! Wait up!" I didn't wait of course, but Malinda did. Forcing me to stop too. "What do you want Myles?" I said as he approached. "I just wanted to say 'Hi'," he said in a shocked tone, "And to see who your friend is." he flashed Malinda a winning smile, and raising one eyebrow in curiosity. She shot him a flirtatious grin back. "I'm Malinda," she said stepping forward and putting out her hand ever so slightly, forcing him to step even closer to her to shake her hand. I thought she said she had a boyfriend... How odd. "I'm Myles," Their eyes were locked for a long moment. For some reason it made me furious. Maybe it was because I hated Myles, maybe it was because my best friend was making goo goo eyes at him. Whatever the reason, I was mad.
I grabbed Malinda's arm, but trying with all my might to pull her away from the heathen, but it wasn't good enough. She didn't budge, not even an inch. Then she shot me a dirty look then glance sweetly back at Myles. "Malinda it's time to go." I said tugging on her arm again. She pulled her arm away violently, "What is wrong with you?! Stop acting like this!" She said in a horse whisper. Stop the way I'm acting! How dare she say that to me. She told me he sounded like a psycho and to stay away from him. And yet here she was batting her eyes and giggling at everything distasteful word that oozed out from between his lips.
Myles, Eighteen.
When I got back down stairs Malinda was still talking. I stood in the doorway for a moment, then with a heavy sigh, went in. "So what do you want to do today?" I asked, interrupting her in mid-sentence. "I was thinking we could stay-" "I think we should go to the mall or something. It'll be so much fun. We can catch up, do a little shoping, and maybe see some people we know." We know? Right... more like you remember, I hate.
"I'm feeling a little bloated from the juice, do you want to take a walk before we go?" I agreed reluctantly. Our walked started slowly, her chattering away. We past the path to my favorite spot by the tree, and then the path to the pond. She has ended her story and we walked in silence. How awkward it all was. I might as well have been walking next to a complete stranger. I had to put in an effort though. I didn't want her to think I had changed for the worse. "How does it feel to be back?" I asked her, glancing over at her. "It feels good. I missed all of this. The air, the trees, the leafs, I even missed you." She said with a short laugh and then bumped me with her arm in a joking manner. I smiled, shaking my head. "You missed this? Your crazy, I think the city has corrupted you." I said smirking at the end.
"I'm feeling a little bloated from the juice, do you want to take a walk before we go?" I agreed reluctantly. Our walked started slowly, her chattering away. We past the path to my favorite spot by the tree, and then the path to the pond. She has ended her story and we walked in silence. How awkward it all was. I might as well have been walking next to a complete stranger. I had to put in an effort though. I didn't want her to think I had changed for the worse. "How does it feel to be back?" I asked her, glancing over at her. "It feels good. I missed all of this. The air, the trees, the leafs, I even missed you." She said with a short laugh and then bumped me with her arm in a joking manner. I smiled, shaking my head. "You missed this? Your crazy, I think the city has corrupted you." I said smirking at the end.
Myles, Seventeen.
They noticed me standing there and their conversation stopped. "Hello dear," my mother said while giving me a warm smile. "Good morning, Cindy." Sue said, continuing the morning greeting. "Morning." I said weakly. I didn't even bother making eye contact as i walked by. I just went right to the refrigerator to get the eggs and bread. I wasn't looking at my mother but i was sure she was shaking her head in disapproval of my appearance and manners.
I scrambled the eggs and toasted the bread. A little burnt, but it still smelt nice. Just as i was setting the plates on the table Malinda appeared in the doorway fully dressed. That surprised me. I remembered when we were younger and we would stay in our Pjs all day. Sometimes we go out like that. My mom would bring us to places all the time. We would march right into a store or into the movies. People gave us odd looks of course, but we never cared.
"Morning Malinda," I said as I set her plate down, "I made eggs and toast for breakfast." She gazed at the table for a moment then walked over and sat down. "Could i just have some orange juice?" She asked. She didn't even make eye contacted with me. I sighed and poured her a glass of juice. My mother and Sue sensed the tension between us. "So, Malinda, how have things been for you lately?" My mother asked her. Malinda looked up from her juice, took a deep breath and then whipped a big smile on her face. Fake, i thought to myself.
She started rambling on and on about how her life was going, about her boyfriend, and about her new friends and school. I excused myself and went up stairs to change. Black dress, black boots, black hat. Same old, same old. Maybe that’s how I expected Malinda to be. I should have never assumed anything, but I did and now I was disappointed. Peachy. She became the kind of person I hated. The kind of people who are so bored with there own lives that they have to find ways to metal in others.
I scrambled the eggs and toasted the bread. A little burnt, but it still smelt nice. Just as i was setting the plates on the table Malinda appeared in the doorway fully dressed. That surprised me. I remembered when we were younger and we would stay in our Pjs all day. Sometimes we go out like that. My mom would bring us to places all the time. We would march right into a store or into the movies. People gave us odd looks of course, but we never cared.
"Morning Malinda," I said as I set her plate down, "I made eggs and toast for breakfast." She gazed at the table for a moment then walked over and sat down. "Could i just have some orange juice?" She asked. She didn't even make eye contacted with me. I sighed and poured her a glass of juice. My mother and Sue sensed the tension between us. "So, Malinda, how have things been for you lately?" My mother asked her. Malinda looked up from her juice, took a deep breath and then whipped a big smile on her face. Fake, i thought to myself.
She started rambling on and on about how her life was going, about her boyfriend, and about her new friends and school. I excused myself and went up stairs to change. Black dress, black boots, black hat. Same old, same old. Maybe that’s how I expected Malinda to be. I should have never assumed anything, but I did and now I was disappointed. Peachy. She became the kind of person I hated. The kind of people who are so bored with there own lives that they have to find ways to metal in others.
Myles, Sixteen.
When we got home things got better. Although the rain was pouring outside, inside we were laughing and talking as we looked through the old photo album of us. My parents weren't home that night, they were out on there once in a blue moon dinner and dancing. So we had the house to ourselves. We made a mac n' cheese and then went to bed. She was very tired from her long trip, and I understood that, so i didn't put up a fight. We did decided however that were we going to get up in early in the morning.
When i woke up the next morning Malinda still lied asleep on the cot. I wasn't surprised, she must of been getting use to the time change. I crept down stairs still in my pajamas, all ready to make breakfast. The kitchen wasn't empty though, my mother and Sue sat there sipping coffee and talking. I looked around slowly. Myles wasn't there.
I use to think that my home was safe. It was my castle and I was the princess. Nothing bad could lay a finger on me. The walls were build so high and so mighty that only a bulldozer could break it down. And even then my parents would keep me out of harms ways. That wasn't the case anymore though. Someone got passed the castle gates, and passed all the guards. They broke through our walls and snuck under our fences. Who is this master mind who had done this you ask? It is but a 17-year-old boy. His intentions I do not know, but I knew this, he was not a good person. When it boils down to it, that was the simplest way to describe him.
When i woke up the next morning Malinda still lied asleep on the cot. I wasn't surprised, she must of been getting use to the time change. I crept down stairs still in my pajamas, all ready to make breakfast. The kitchen wasn't empty though, my mother and Sue sat there sipping coffee and talking. I looked around slowly. Myles wasn't there.
I use to think that my home was safe. It was my castle and I was the princess. Nothing bad could lay a finger on me. The walls were build so high and so mighty that only a bulldozer could break it down. And even then my parents would keep me out of harms ways. That wasn't the case anymore though. Someone got passed the castle gates, and passed all the guards. They broke through our walls and snuck under our fences. Who is this master mind who had done this you ask? It is but a 17-year-old boy. His intentions I do not know, but I knew this, he was not a good person. When it boils down to it, that was the simplest way to describe him.
Myles, Fifteen.
She didn't know it was me. Could i have changed that much? I wanted to be mad at her for not knowing me for who i was, her best friend. Instead i went up to her and said in my, you are so stupid tone, "You really couldn't tell it was me?". "Oh my god!" she screeched and wrapped her arms around me. I embraced her back and soaked up the feeling of having a friend again. For a moment, it felt like everything was back to how it was.
"You looks so nice, Malinda." I said with a real smile on my face. It wasn't forced or fake... it was real. The kind of smile that could warm up a room, as my mother always said. "You look... you look... um... wonderful." Her smile was forced, I could tell right away. Seeing her smile like that at me almost brought a tear to my eye. How could she think that i wouldn't see the lies flooding from her. Her eyes and her smile gave it all away.
I gave her a half smile, I thought that was all she deserved... for now. We got her bags and put them in the car, then left. The ride home was horribly quiet and made me uncomfortable. The twists and the turns didn't seem fun anymore. They were back to normal, and so was I. I wasn't happy to see my old friend. I felt bad of course, but what was i suppose to do? Tell her to stop acting like I had on a mask. Right as those thoughts crossed my mind, droplets of rain began to hit my wind shield.
"You looks so nice, Malinda." I said with a real smile on my face. It wasn't forced or fake... it was real. The kind of smile that could warm up a room, as my mother always said. "You look... you look... um... wonderful." Her smile was forced, I could tell right away. Seeing her smile like that at me almost brought a tear to my eye. How could she think that i wouldn't see the lies flooding from her. Her eyes and her smile gave it all away.
I gave her a half smile, I thought that was all she deserved... for now. We got her bags and put them in the car, then left. The ride home was horribly quiet and made me uncomfortable. The twists and the turns didn't seem fun anymore. They were back to normal, and so was I. I wasn't happy to see my old friend. I felt bad of course, but what was i suppose to do? Tell her to stop acting like I had on a mask. Right as those thoughts crossed my mind, droplets of rain began to hit my wind shield.
Myles, Fourteen
Three traffic lights, nine stop signs, and 1 yield later i pulled into the bus station. I parked the car and turned it off. Sighing i stepped out. I found an empty bench and took a seat. There was a little old women with snow white hair sitting on the bench adjacent to me. Slightly hunched over, she held a wooden cane in one hand and the other lay over the top of her cream colored purse.
She then looked over at me and gave me a warm, friendly smile. I shot a half smile back at her, and he acknowledged it with a nod, then turned back. Where was her bus, i thought. I looked at my watch, it was 10:30, her bus should be getting here in 15 minutes. That 15 minutes felt like they were lasting forever, but at the same time counting down too quickly.
What if she had changed? Changed so much that we have nothing in common? What if we end up hating each other because we are so different. No, I couldn't think of this. It made me sad, and plus it made me want to hop back into the car and floor it out of there. So, I just sat. I sat there and didn't think, thinking about one thing led to another and then to another and then i started to over think, making everything in to a big mess.
I looked at my watch again. 10:43, I sighed heavily. Two minutes. I bite my lower lip, a bad habit i had developed over the years. The old women still sat on the bench, the bus station was still empty other then us, and the sun still was blazing over head. Then slowing but surely Bus number 36 pulled in and opened the doors. Three people got off, then four more, then two. I waited a second. None of them were Malinda.
Then, just when my confusion started turning into panic she bounded off the bus. She carried a pink and blue hand bag, that she wore over her shoulder. She had on clear jelly flip flops, a pair of pre-ripped dreams, and a pink T-shirt that read, Chick in Charge. Her hair was still the color of sand, but now it looked high lighted and was shorter. She looked around the platform with bight eyes. Searching person to person for a face she recognized. Her eyes came to mine. I smiled, and she raised he eyebrow. Then continued looking for me.
She then looked over at me and gave me a warm, friendly smile. I shot a half smile back at her, and he acknowledged it with a nod, then turned back. Where was her bus, i thought. I looked at my watch, it was 10:30, her bus should be getting here in 15 minutes. That 15 minutes felt like they were lasting forever, but at the same time counting down too quickly.
What if she had changed? Changed so much that we have nothing in common? What if we end up hating each other because we are so different. No, I couldn't think of this. It made me sad, and plus it made me want to hop back into the car and floor it out of there. So, I just sat. I sat there and didn't think, thinking about one thing led to another and then to another and then i started to over think, making everything in to a big mess.
I looked at my watch again. 10:43, I sighed heavily. Two minutes. I bite my lower lip, a bad habit i had developed over the years. The old women still sat on the bench, the bus station was still empty other then us, and the sun still was blazing over head. Then slowing but surely Bus number 36 pulled in and opened the doors. Three people got off, then four more, then two. I waited a second. None of them were Malinda.
Then, just when my confusion started turning into panic she bounded off the bus. She carried a pink and blue hand bag, that she wore over her shoulder. She had on clear jelly flip flops, a pair of pre-ripped dreams, and a pink T-shirt that read, Chick in Charge. Her hair was still the color of sand, but now it looked high lighted and was shorter. She looked around the platform with bight eyes. Searching person to person for a face she recognized. Her eyes came to mine. I smiled, and she raised he eyebrow. Then continued looking for me.
Myles, Thirteen
The next morning I was woke up around 6, even though i didn't have to leave until 10. I couldn't help it though, i was bouncing off the walls all morning. I didn't even get dressed. I was just prancing around the house making a total idiot of myself. I didn't care, i was happy. H-A-P-P-Y, happy. For in a few hours i would be reunited with my long lost friend. During my prancing session i found an old album with picture of her and i when we were young. It was the prefect thing for us to look through together, i decided. I checked the clock, 9:15. It was time to shower and get dressed. I chose a black skirt with lace around the bottom and the matching top that have lace around the bottom and the collar. Then i pulled a sweater on and zipped it up. I did that as quickly as i could and i hopped into my moms car and left.
The drive to the Bus station wasn't too long. It was actually somewhat relaxing. I hadn't driven for months, but its just like riding a bike... you never forget. The leaves shook as the lower branches brushed the roof of the car. I whipped around a tight corner. I was moving with the wind now, and the trees clamors as I flew by. I was entering town, the trees evaporated and were replaced by buildings. People hurried about the sidewalks going and coming from work, dates, meetings, and whatever other things they all busied themselves with.
The drive to the Bus station wasn't too long. It was actually somewhat relaxing. I hadn't driven for months, but its just like riding a bike... you never forget. The leaves shook as the lower branches brushed the roof of the car. I whipped around a tight corner. I was moving with the wind now, and the trees clamors as I flew by. I was entering town, the trees evaporated and were replaced by buildings. People hurried about the sidewalks going and coming from work, dates, meetings, and whatever other things they all busied themselves with.
Myles, Twelve
The next two weeks flew by. I baby sat Chris a couple of times, slept a lot, and read a lot. Most importantly, i stayed away from that terrorist Myles. I didn't talk to, see, or think of him for two glorious weeks. It was almost like my life was back to normal. I loved every minute of it, and to top it all off i got a call from my best friend Malinda called me and asked if she could come up for a visit. She had moved away 3 years ago and i missed her everyday. That day that she called me we talk for hours. She told me about her new friends, and how none of them were as great as me. She carried on about her boyfriend and how wonderful he was. Then she stopped and asked me about what was happening in my life. I thought for a second. I had nothing, it was like i was stuck in a time warp. Ever since she left, my life froze. She was going to come back to the hum drum like she once left and want to leave again, i thought. All i could think of was the new neighbors.
I told her about Sue and Christopher, about how i loved Chris as if he were my own brother. I told her how Sue was nice and she was defiantly going to meet her. Then i paused, should i tell her about Myles? "Cindy?" she paused "Cindy you still there?" "Uh, yeah. I was just thinking sorry." i said hoping she wouldn't catch my troubled tone. "Something wrong?" I knew i couldn't get away with it. I sighed and started in on my discoveries about Myles. The day i met him, him saying horrible things to me, then turning around and being nice. How he pushed me in a puddle, and laughed about it. "This guy sounds like a real psycho Cind, you stay away form him." "Your telling me." We said our good byes and she mentioned again that she would be there in two days, and to make sure to clean my room.
The day before her arrival i set up a cot next to my bed. I was already happier then i had been in years. Being alienated from my peers never really made me smile form ear to ear. Darkness enclosed around my house quickly, and the stars trickled across the sky. I said goodnight to my parents, took a shower, and gave my window a glance. My eyes locked on the old house. Rage grew with in me. Simply thinking about what trouble Myles could cause while Malinda was here made my blood boil. He wasn't going to ruin this, not if his life depended on it. Sleep didn't come easily that night, but after some tossing and turning i was deeply dreaming, awaiting the appearance of my dear friend.
I told her about Sue and Christopher, about how i loved Chris as if he were my own brother. I told her how Sue was nice and she was defiantly going to meet her. Then i paused, should i tell her about Myles? "Cindy?" she paused "Cindy you still there?" "Uh, yeah. I was just thinking sorry." i said hoping she wouldn't catch my troubled tone. "Something wrong?" I knew i couldn't get away with it. I sighed and started in on my discoveries about Myles. The day i met him, him saying horrible things to me, then turning around and being nice. How he pushed me in a puddle, and laughed about it. "This guy sounds like a real psycho Cind, you stay away form him." "Your telling me." We said our good byes and she mentioned again that she would be there in two days, and to make sure to clean my room.
The day before her arrival i set up a cot next to my bed. I was already happier then i had been in years. Being alienated from my peers never really made me smile form ear to ear. Darkness enclosed around my house quickly, and the stars trickled across the sky. I said goodnight to my parents, took a shower, and gave my window a glance. My eyes locked on the old house. Rage grew with in me. Simply thinking about what trouble Myles could cause while Malinda was here made my blood boil. He wasn't going to ruin this, not if his life depended on it. Sleep didn't come easily that night, but after some tossing and turning i was deeply dreaming, awaiting the appearance of my dear friend.
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