watch out
1241 Words
The brisk morning air hung heavy as the sky threatened to cry again. And drench the already sopping wet ground.
Kicking my feet in the dirt path, I breathe in deep, trying to relish in this feeling before I'm forced back inside to make that speech in front of classmates I do not wish want to talk to. And whom don't want to listen.
The secluded path was beautifully lined by the tall, dense trees.
I could come here often, I think to myself.
My attention caught by movement in the foliage to my side.
I stop c*****g my head and lean down slightly. Peering into the bush I don't see anything.
Hmm, maybe it was the wind?
I stand back up to continue walking down just a bit farther, but the plants move again.
Okay. Now either that bush is alive or there's something in it.
"What is—"
A small white bunny hopped out.
Startled I step back.
It was nothing to be scared of.
Being treated like porcelain has made me too jumpy. Jeffrey thinks absolutely everything in the world can and will kill me.
"Oh. Well, look at you. Aren't you rather adorable? Where's your mother? Poor baby, did she leave you here too?"
The fragile little creature stood awfully still as I spoke to it.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
I say, hushing my voice and crouching down farther.
Too focused on the little bunny, I had yet to notice the fast-approaching bike that sped toward us.
"Watch out!"
I hear just as I whip my head up.
Before I could even register what was happening.
I was being crashed into at full speed.
Putting my arm up to block myself. That being the only protection I had from the boy that had just launched himself at me.
My back ached as we landed with a thud. The bike rider dropping his weight onto me.
Groaning I hold onto the shoulders of the boy.
Taking a moment to collect myself, I don't even attempt to get up or move him off of me.
My hand ached as I lifted it off the ground.
Looking over I see blood trickling down my wrist.
"Fuck."
I curse dropping my hand back down. I'm pushed to take action when I hear a cough come from the black head of hair that laid on my chest.
"Bloody hell. Are you alright?"
I ask. Lifting my head off the ground, trying to gauge the situation a little better.
I see his bike off to the side of the path.
I know it is not supposed to be bent that way.
Well, that is not rideable anymore.
"What are you doing sitting in the middle of a path like a big boulder?!"
The slender boy asks, pushing himself off of me.
His curly hair capturing my eyes as he ruffled a hand through it.
And his prominent facial features frowning at me as he wiped the dirt off his long-sleeve sweater and black dress pants.
He looked well put together.
"I was not sitting; I was—"
"Whatever you was doing, you shouldn't have been doing it in the pathway."
I sit up appalled by his lack of respect.
Who taught him how to speak?
Did he not ever make it past primary school?
"Excuse me? What are you going on about? I was just having a walk."
I couldn't believe my ears.
He obviously did not care that I had caught his fall and was a cushion for him. Yet I had to land on the hard ground. No chest for my head to rest on, just rocks and dirt. Despite that he is yelling at me?
AT ME?!
Checking myself over. Patting my pocket to make sure my flask was still there.
I notice a tear on the sleeve of my pullover.
Pulling at it, I sigh out a-
"Great."
"You heard me. Great I'm going to be late now."
He checks his old worn-out watch.
Put together but can't afford a new watch.
How odd.
"You are the one flying down a walking path, may I remind you. At lightning speed on a bicycle."
I keep my words even and calm.
He crosses his arms at me sighing with frustration.
Gasping I remember the little bunny.
I hope it's okay. I don't think our collision had hurt it, but still I'd feel horrible knowing it couldn't make it back to its bunny family.
"Here, bunny bunny, come on out. It's okay."
I coax pulling the branches and leaves apart looking for the little creature.
"It's long gone."
I grumble. Throwing him a dirty look.
"What bunny? Are you crazy? I've run into a crazy person. Wait, oh my gosh! My bike."
The boy turns to his discarded bike. Pulling it up, the wheel contorted and out of shape.
The handle bar didn't look much better crooked inwards.
"Look what you've done. You're going to pay for the damages."
I scoff.
"I will do no such thing."
He squints his eyes at me. The look was challenging.
I adore a good challenge.
"And why not? You've broken my bike. How am I to get to school now?"
"I will not, because it isn't my fault you crashed into me."
Hitting the prince is a crime. I could have him thrown in jail right this second if I wished.
It's just a bike.
50 $ and he could get himself a brand new way better than the old red one he chose to assault me with.
"How infuriating. What's your name?"
He asks.
...He didn't recognize me?
Does he not know who I am?
That explains the way he spoke to me. He never acknowledged my title like most did.
Not hearing crown prince in every sentence felt sort of liberating. Crown Prince this, Crown Prince that.
I have a name.
I do not have to give him my title. I do have free will. Even if I'm not able to exercise it on a day to day basis.
"Nicoli."
I give the shortest response. Hopefully, just my first name doesn't trigger him being able to put two and two together about who I am.
"Nicoli, and what, no last name?"
I blink, trying to come up with something on the spot. I shouldn't lie; he will figure it out at the ceremony when I stand up and give a speech while he sits with the other kids, falling asleep.
"It doesn't matter I am late. I will find you later at the assembly, and we can figure out a payment plan for fixing my bike."
"You're a student?"
I need the confirmation before I go assuming.
He nods, lugging up the bike with a grunt.
"Yes, a very late student. I never finished my paperwork. You've really spent my time."
He starts walking away, leaving me standing at the spot of our accident.
"What's your name?"
I yell after him;l. He turns slightly, looking at me over his shoulder still walking away.
"Alex!"
Alex...
Rather interesting
Smoothing back my hair, I fix my ruffled jumper.
Jeffrey is going to freak when he sees the rip. But I wasn't worried about that, or about the deep gash on my palm that truly did sting.
The only thing that filled my mind was how that strange boy smelled of musk and vanilla.
So entrancing I wanted another second closer...
- Writer
