This is my newest story, Gone. Hope you enjoy. Leave lots of love. <3 [Side note... I am not the Rachel in the story. It's written for my bff who, ironically, has the same name as me.]
Chapter 001
Gone
by: Matt Nathanson
And I’m short of breath, I’m sure….
Gone, let it wash away all the, the best I had
I’m gone and when I disappear, don’t expect me back
Don’t expect me back
Lost, the sweetest things get lost
In the static, the far away painted pictures of you
I fold; don’t want to be holy then
Don’t want to be sold again, the way I was with you, with you
She had his heart from the moment he first laid eyes on her. Standing near the wave pool, a plain white t-shirt covering her petite frame and her dark brown curls dancing in the wind, she’d painted the picture of everything he’d ever wanted. Her oversized sungl*CENSORED* masked the eyes he’d one day look into and promise forever.
It’d taken him an hour to collect the courage to approach her. She looked so perfect basking in the sun; even the silver spoon dangling from her mouth looked like it belonged there. “Hi,” he greeted, his voice cracking with fear. An hour and all he could muster was a simple, “Hi.” Shaking his head, he motioned to the lounge seat beside her. “Mind if I sit?”
“Have at it.” She licked the last bit of ice cream from her spoon before setting it down on the table and wiping her fingers on a nearby towel. The melodic hum of her voice was almost lost in the cheers and screams of the children. Nothing said summer quite like a day at Cedar Point. A moment of silence fell between them. “Was there something you wanted to say to me, or did you really just need to sit down?”
Her tone was friendly despite the seemingly harsh implications. He laughed, his spirits and self-confidence lifting. “I was hanging out over there and I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.”
“Creepy.”
Again he laughed. “I just mean-” For an instant, he panicked. What did he mean? Why had he come over here and made himself so vulnerable for this girl he’d never even spoken to before? “The thought of not walking over here and talking to you hurt worse than the fact that now I have and I’m failing miserably.”
“I wouldn’t say you’re failing.” She slipped her sungl*CENSORED* off, finally revealing her dark brown eyes. “I’m Rachel,” she said, extending her hand in his direction. He received it, his heart racing upon feeling her skin against his.
“I’m-”
“I know who you are.” Rising from her seat, she stretched. Instinctively he rose too, walking beside her. He peered at her questioningly. She knew who he was? “What, are you surprised I’m not falling all over myself because I know who you are?”
Her smile brought about one of his own. Lately he’d needed to use every trick and disguise to keep girls away from him, but now, the one he was drawn to couldn’t seem less interested. Carefully they waded to where the water splashed just above their ankles while he searched for words. “I’m just not used to it, I guess.” She nodded in understanding.
“Is it time to go Rach?” a small boy of about ten asked, running over with droplets flying from his shaggy hair. She nodded and he went to collect his towel.
He’d looked at her with pleading eyes. Leaving? “My brother,” she explained. “Family trip and today’s our last day here. We’ve got to get back on the road.” The shrug of her shoulders made him feel as though everything he’d tried to accomplish was just wasted time. “It was nice to meet you.”
Rachel walked into the changing room and when she reemerged, he knew he couldn’t just let her go. “Hey!” His feet felt like bricks pounding on the concrete; he couldn’t get to her fast enough. She spun on her heels, and folded her arms across her chest, a faint smirk lifting the corners of her mouth. Pushing her brother toward the locker to get their things, she took a few steps in his direction. “If you’re ever free again, I mean I’m busy all of the time so I’m not sure when I would be free, but if we’re ever free, you know, at the same time…” He hung his head and sighed. This wasn’t going well. “Could I get your number? I’d like to call you sometime.”
She bit her lip and narrowed her eyes in on him. Was he really this flustered speaking to her? “Sure Joe.” His heart flipped just hearing his name on her lips. Fishing a pen out of her purse she carefully scrolled down her digits on an old receipt. “Call me anytime.”
