As The Moon Phases

Making Friends

    Now I wouldn't say that New Orleans felt like the safest place and I just met Carrick, but my intuition is that I can trust him, that he is safe. I feel absolutely no romantic pull for him but he isn't bad to look at.

    "So where are you moving from Rowan?"

    "Well that is a hard question to answer. The last place I lived was Townson, Maryland. But this is my seventh town in the last four years."

    "Wow. Are you a military brat?"

    "No. My mom seems to have a hard time making the right decisions."

    We are walking side by side having this talk. Not really looking at each other. I feel oddly at ease with Carrick. He is easy to talk to. But the boy has to be about 6'5. I feel dwarfed next to him.

    "Well that has to be a tough life. I sometimes wish I could see more of the world but I am also happy that I got to grow up in one spot. I turn 18 in a few months so the traveling can commence after I graduate. I couldn't imagine having to start over so often."

    "Yeah it hasn't been the easiest life but at the same time I haven't lived in one place long enough to miss it or the people. It's different this time though. I already feel connected here. I don't know what it is but I have a sense of home, which is insane since I have only been here two weeks."

    "Oh, I hear it all the time. Even people who don't live here and just come to visit. Say it feels like coming home each time they are in town. I have heard Ireland is like that as well. You can feel a sense of home just from stepping off the plane and taking a deep breath."

    "You know my dad's family is Irish. I visited once when I was really young, so I don't remember it, but I remember hearing that from relatives but since they were from there I didn't know if that counted." 

    I am shocking myself. I usually don't discuss my father or his family with anyone. I don't know why I am giving a guy I just met my whole family background. It has been so long since I could easily talk to some one. With the conversation flowing so effortlessly I haven't even noticed that we are walking onto school grounds already.

    I look up at a tall brick building, that looks like it was built in the 1800's. The building is haunting looking. It is laid upon sprawling green lawns and is large and U shaped. After walking through the schools parking lot there is a small court yard with mulched trees and small lilies. It is a pretty area but what really draws my attention is the art work painted on various walls. I wouldn't call it graffiti but I also don't know if the school wanted the art there. One piece really catches my eye. It is the different phases of the moon.

    There is a Hamsa in the center with the moon phases laid out with the  new moon at the top. The colors were a vibrant teal and black, the piece is very eye catching.

    "You like that?"

    "Huh?"

    "Do you like the art work?" Carrick asks again. I guess he was watching me while I was looking on in awe.

    "Very much. The colors are amazing. Do you know what it means?"

    "Yes, in fact I know the artist. See in New Orleans there are many superstitions. The Hamsa is known to ward off evil and the moon phases are very symbolic. You know our world and others are controlled by the moon."

    "Other worlds?"

    "Oh yes, we, here in New Orleans, believe in many things. Vampires, werewolves, spirits, witches and demons many living in different worlds, but on certain moon phases they are able to travel to our world and play, in a not so friendly way."

    A shiver runs down my spine. I am not superstitious, but his words give me the creeps. "And you believe in all of that?"

    "I definitely believe in some of it. It is part of living here, to believe."

    I don't say anything in response to his revelation. I continue looking around at the other artwork displayed.  It is all very festive. While we stand in comfortable silence, three girls walk towards us smiling and waving at my new friend.

    "Hey Carrick," says the Asian girl in the middle with jet black hair and intelligent looking eyes.

    "Hi Quinn," Carrick looks a little bashful which is really amusing to see out of someone his size. His eyes dart my way in a scared oh no don't get the wrong idea sort of way, but not for my benefit, no I think my dear new friend is smitten for Miss Quinn.

    "Carrick are you going to introduce us?" Quinn asks.

    "Oh Sorry, Rowan this is Quinn, Riley and Mona. Guys this is Rowan, she is new in town and I just met her at Cafe Du Monde." As he introduces us he nods his head to each girl, Quinn is center to her left is Riley, a tall girl with brown hair, hazel eyes and resting b***h face for days, Mona is to the right of Quinn and she is shorter than I am which is saying a lot, she has blonde hair with blue eyes and looks like a pixie, fairy.

    "Hi Rowan," Quinn chirps like an excited bird. "What grade are you in? I love when we get new students, it doesn't happen very often."

    "Hi everyone it is nice to meet you all.  I am a senior and I am an expert at being a new student. I am one at least once a year."

    "Wow, Military?" Asks Mona.

    "No, that's funny Carrick asked me the same thing. We just move a lot."

    "Of course Carrick and Mona would ask the same thing, it's like they are related or something," Riley replies rolling her eyes as if she is bored with this conversation. Riley doesn't look like she wants to make new friends, her kick ass girl vibe is strong.

    Carrick and Mona start to laugh and my eyes dart between the two confused. They do have some similar features. Noticing my confused look Quinn decides to save me, and let me in on the sarcastic joke.

    "Carrick and Mona are brother and sister. Excuse Riley, she doesn't have the best communication skills at times. Have you gotten your schedule yet? Maybe we share some classes and you will at least know a familiar face."

    "Actually we got here two weeks ago so there wasn't time for them to make me a schedule prior to school starting so I have to go to the office and get one."

    "Perfect I will walk there with you. Carrick you don't mind if I steal her do you?" asks Quinn.

    "No of course not. I will see you ladies later. Rowan it was great talking to you this morning and thanks for the walk. Hopefully I will see you later. Quinn..."

    Carrick doesn't finish his sentence to Quinn. He just kind of looks at her like there is so much he wants to say but can't and then after staring on and us all holding our breaths waiting to see what he is going to say he turns on his heels and walks away. Oh yes Carrick is into Quinn for sure.

    Quinn comes over and pust her hand through my arm. Riley and Mona yell out a farewell and head towards one of the courtyard table and chairs to sit down.

    "So what did you think of Carrick? Quinn asks.

    "I think he is very nice. I was happy to have some one to talk to this morning. He is a real gentleman and he is very easy to talk to. Also holy crap he is tall," I say with a giggle. I feel relieved when she laughs too.

    "Carrick is one of the best guys I know. He can be a bit shy at times but he is there for you whenever you need him. He is a great friends to have."

    "I get that vibe from him." I am waiting to see if she is going to claim her territory. I mean I am getting the feeling that she likes Carrick as well. But she doesn't seem upset that the guy she likes was walking another girl to school. We are getting closer to the administration office and our pace is matched not is a rush but at a speed of we have some place to be.

    "Look Rowan, I like Carrick and I get the gut feeling that both you and him are only interested in a friendship. Which I hope to be true. I don't have any claim on him though, we are not dating. But I really would like us all to be friends. I get a good vibe from you. I love your look and I feel like we could share some common interests."

    "I would love to be friends. I don't have any romantic feelings for Carrick but I do believe he has those feelings for you. I could feel his happiness at seeing you and the way he stares at you I can feel the s****l tension. I haven't had friends in what feels like forever because of my constant moving. I am finally 18 though so I am hoping that New Orleans can become my home and I can make lasting relationships here."

    Wow my mouth is running away from me. What made me spout all that out. I feel like I am begging her to be my friend. What the hell?

    Quinn stops walking and is looking straight into my face as I am talking. Her brown eyes seem to be probing me for my sincereness, and after I finish my mushy spiel she hugs my arm that she has been holding and smiles.

    "I would love to have you as a friend," She says while opening the door to the office. We walk in still arm in arm and I ask for my schedule. 

       So far the day is turning out great. Early birds get the worm, or friends in my case. Two new friends on the first day of school. And school hasn't even started yet.