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mustainegf · 2 days

Text

— Masterpost

— Chapter 1

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the quiet streets of Downey. I pulled my hoodie tighter around me, the fabric worn and comforting against my skin. The weight of my thoughts pressed down on me as I walked, each step echoing in the silence. The path to the lake was familiar, worn down by countless journeys taken in search of solitude or escape.

My sneakers scuffed against the gravel, sending small stones skittering across the ground. I kicked at a particularly stubborn rock, watching it bounce and roll before coming to a stop near the edge of the path. A sigh escaped my lips, a small puff of air visible in the crisp evening air.

The houses along the way were quiet, their occupants hidden away behind closed doors and drawn curtains. I felt a pang of envy, wondering what it must be like to live a life untouched by doubt or uncertainty. My family's beliefs loomed large in my mind, a constant reminder of the expectations that weighed me down.

As I approached the lake, the sound of water lapping against the shore grew louder, a soothing rhythm that eased some of the tension in my shoulders. The lake itself was a peaceful oasis, its calm waters reflecting the colors of the setting sun. Ducks floated lazily on the surface, their movements graceful and unhurried.

I made my way closer to the shore, the sound of the water became more pronounced, a gentle melody that filled the air. The familiar scent of the lake, a mixture of earthy dampness and fresh water, surrounded me, comforting in its familiarity when something caught my eye.

There, partially hidden by tall grasses swaying gently in the breeze, was a girl sitting on the sand. The setting sun cast a golden glow around her. She was engrossed in her own world, fingers dancing playfully over the strings of an acoustic guitar cradled in her lap.

I hesitated, unsure whether to approach her or to retreat quietly and leave her to her music. But something about her kept me watching, holding me rooted to the spot.

I watched her for a moment, mesmerized by the way her fingers moved with practiced ease over the fretboard, coaxing beautiful melodies from the guitar. I didn’t think I’d meet a girl who could play like I could.

What was she doing here, alone by the lake at this hour? Then again, why was I?

I felt a sudden rush of nerves as I looked down at my feet, the soft sand cool beneath my sneakers. My fingers brushed against a smooth stone buried in the sand, and I instinctively picked it up, feeling its weight in my hand. It was a simple, ordinary stone, worn smooth by the relentless action of the waves.

Drawing a deep breath to steady myself, I tossed the stone into the water, watching as it skipped gracefully across the surface before finally sinking beneath the ripples. The sound of the splash echoed in the silence, a fleeting moment of disruption in the tranquil scene.

Turning my gaze back towards the girl, I found her looking at me, her eyes curious and attentive. The music from her guitar had ceased, replaced by a tension that hung in the air between us.

"Hi," I managed to say, my voice tinged with awkwardness. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing loudly in my ears as I struggled to find the right words.

She bore the faintest, one that could easily go unnoticed, but I could see it. "Hi," she replied, her voice soft and welcoming, breaking the silence that had enveloped us.

As her fingers resumed their dance over the strings of her guitar, I hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to retreat and the curiosity that compelled me to stay.

Taking a deep breath to steel myself, I approached her, my footsteps soft and hesitant on the sandy shore. Gently pushing aside some of the long grass that obscured my view, I watched her play for a moment, captivated by the fluidity of her movements and the beauty of the music she created.

Her face was a study in concentration, her brows slightly furrowed, her eyes focused intently on the strings as her fingers moved with practiced precision. The golden hues of the setting sun cast a warm glow on her features, highlighting the delicate curve of her cheekbones, the softness of her lips, and the graceful line of her neck.

There was something familiar about her, something that tugged at my memory, but I couldn't quite place it. It was like trying to grasp at the remnants of a dream upon waking, elusive and just out of reach.

Interrupting her playing, I found my voice, my words tinged with curiosity and a hint of embarrassment. "What's your name?" I asked, my gaze meeting hers as I awaited her response.

She paused, looking up at me, her eyes searching mine for a moment before a smile graced her lips. "Felicity," she replied, her voice soft and melodic, a gentle reminder of our earlier introduction.

As she said her name, a flash of recognition sparked in my mind, the pieces falling into place like a jigsaw puzzle. Felicity.

And then it clicked. Memories flooded back, images and moments from early elementary school flashing before my eyes. Felicity and I had been classmates, our paths crossing in the hallways and classrooms of our small school.

But we had never been friends, just mere classmates who shared the same space but never truly connected on a deeper level. And then, one day, she had stopped showing up at school, her absence leaving a void that had gone unnoticed until now.

A pang of regret and curiosity stirred within me as I recalled those days, wondering what had happened to her, where she had gone, and why she had suddenly disappeared without a trace.

"We went to school together, didn't we? I remember you." I said slowly, watching her hair blow in the slight breeze.

Her eyes widened in surprise, a smile spreading across her face as she nodded, the pieces of our shared past falling into place. "Yes, we did," she replied, her voice tinged with nostalgia and curiosity. "You’re..." She paused for a moment. “James, right?” I offered a small nod.

I felt a mix of anticipation and uncertainty as I sat down on the cool sand, the grains shifting beneath me. We remained locked in a momentary silence, our eyes meeting and holding, a silent exchange of understanding and curiosity passing between us.

"I thought you moved or something," I finally broke the silence, the words escaping in a quiet, hesitant whisper. The memory of Felicity's sudden absence from school still lingered in my mind, a puzzle piece that had never quite fit into place.

Felicity's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of contemplation as she shook her head gently. "No, I never moved," she replied, her voice soft and reflective. "Life just happened."

Confused and curious, I searched her face for clues, for any hint of understanding that might shed light on her cryptic statement. Her eyes held a depth and intensity that drew me in, revealing glimpses of the experiences and emotions that had shaped her journey.

I found myself wanting to know more, to understand the stories and moments that had led her to this place, to this moment beside the lake where our paths had unexpectedly crossed once again.

“What does that mean?” I asked, raising a brow at her. As I looked at Felicity, I noticed the subtle changes in her appearance; the maturity in her features, the wisdom in her eyes. Her hair had grown much longer.

She gave me only a mere shrug, leaving me with more questions than answers.

"Were you homeschooled?" I asked, my voice carrying a note of curiosity.

Felicity nodded, her eyes meeting mine once more. "Yeah," she replied simply, her voice soft.

"Why?" I asked, my voice blatant. Felicity's eyes met mine, a hint of contemplation in her gaze as she considered her response. "It was a choice my family made," she began, her voice soft and measured. "Doctor stuff."

Her answer only deepened the intrigue, leaving me with a desire to know more.

"My mom doesn't like doctors," I found myself saying, my voice tinged with a mixture of frustration. "I've never been to one before."

I went on, probably sharing more than I should’ve. “Mom says the only real medicine is prayer,” I rolled my eyes, thinking back to her nonsensical words.

The words felt heavy as I spoke them, revealing a part of my life that I had often struggled to reconcile with the world around me. Growing up in a household with strong religious beliefs had shaped many aspects of my life. I hated the way I was alienated.

Felicity's soft reply, a simple utterance of "lucky," seemed to hang in the air between us, carrying with it a depth of meaning that I couldn't quite grasp.

As I watched her play with the sand, her fingers tracing patterns in the soft grains, I felt a little guilty. A part of me wanted to ask more questions. But another part of me hesitated, cautious of probing too deeply or reopening some sort of old wound.

I decided to switch the subject, lighten the mood a bit.

"You play pretty good," I began, my voice carrying a note of admiration. "I play a bit too, actually."

The words felt natural as I spoke them, a genuine expression of interest. I watched as Felicity looked up, her eyes lighting up with curiosity and surprise, the playful glint returning to her gaze.

"You do?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement and intrigue. "That's cool, What kind of music do you like to play?"

As I thought about her question, memories of my own guitar playing and the songs I enjoyed began to surface.

"I enjoy most of it, mainly acoustic and rock," I replied, offering her a sweet smile.

As I spoke, I noticed Felicity's eyes brighten, her curiosity piqued by our shared love for music.

"I'd love to hear you play sometime," Felicity said, her voice warm.

Our conversation continued on effortlessly, flowing like we had been friends for years rather than just speaking for the first time.

"Do you want to meet here at the same time tomorrow night?" Felicity asked, her tone of voice still soft and light. "We can play together."

Her invitation excited me, already anticipating our time together. "That sounds cool," I replied, my voice painted with enthusiasm. "Sure."

Felicity's smile broadened, her eyes shining. She nodded slowly, "I'm looking forward to it."

Felicity quickly gathered her guitar, her movements graceful and swift, a sense of urgency in her actions. "I have to go," she said, her voice tinged with regret. "But I'll see you here tomorrow night, right?"

I nodded, a little taken aback by her sudden departure. "Oh, uh- yeah," I replied.

“Goodnight, James,” She waved warmly before she hurriedly walked off. As I watched her go, I felt an odd cold feeling, left alone once more, and I was left to wonder why I had come here in the first place. But I’m glad I did.

I picked up a smooth, flat stone from the ground, its cool surface fitting comfortably in the palm of my hand. With a practiced flick of my wrist, I sent the stone skipping across the water's surface, watching as it danced and skipped before sinking beneath the calm waters.

Thoughts of Felicity lingered in my mind, Her hair, longer and more vibrant, catching the golden hues of the setting sun. Her eyes held a depth and intensity that drew me in, revealing glimpses of joy. Her smile, genuine and warm, stained in my thoughts.

As I continued to skip rocks into the water, lost in the gentle rhythm of the waves and the beauty of the setting sun, I found myself reflecting on the possibilities and potential that lay ahead.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting its final golden rays across the water.

With a final skip of a stone across the water, I gathered myself guiding my steps as I made my way home, my mind still stuffed with the memory of the girl who once sat by my side.

She wasn’t very much like how I remembered her but, I guess that was years ago now. It had probably been close to 8 or 9 years. Either way, I found myself enjoying being around her, looking forward to tomorrow when I would see her again.