Project 2

(text-colour:white)[This summer was different than the rest. For one, it rained that whole summer. Not a constant downpour but when I stood at the bus stop each morning. At the time I thought nothing of it, but now that I think about it. It makes some sense. It was the summer I met him. It started as a normal morning. My alarm went off and I slow rose out of bed. I glared at it. [[Turn off the alarm and go back to bed?->Alarm off]] [[Get up and dressed?->Up and at em]]]

(text-colour:white)[I turn the alarm off and go back to bed. I’m too tired to deal with today. Nothing matters anymore. I'll lose my job. I'll lose my mama. Why even bother...]

(text-colour:white)[I turn off my alarm and start getting ready for work. Some jeans, a t-shirt, and beat up sneakers. Nothing special. I took a look in the mirror. I looked tired. Granted, I’m always tired. I grab my backpack and leave my room. As I enter the hallway, I pause. [[Go to parent’s room?->Parent's room]] [[Continue down the stairs?->Mama]]]

(text-colour:white)[I walk to my parents’ door and grip the handle. I hesitate before letting go of it. If ma was up, she would be downstairs by now. Pops is still usually out cold or hungover. Either way, it’s best not to disturb him.]

(text-colour:white)[I shake my head and close my bedroom door. Whatever thought I had was long gone and I continue down the stairs. Once down, I could smell the bacon that mama was cooking. I went up behind her and gave her a hug. “Morning mama.” I greet her." “Morning honey. Can you do me a favor and pass me the sugar?” She gives me a weak smile. I look into her eyes, the same jet black ones bestowed upon me. There was something else there. Something else I see often. A purplish black mark around one of her eyelids. I smile back to her before turning to get the sugar she needed. I reached into the cabinet and gave it to her. “Here you are mama. I gots to be goin now.” I said. “Oh, but why don’t you stay for breakfast?” “I can’t. I’ll be late mama.” I respond and open the front door. “Alright. Be safe dear.” She waves goodbye to me. I wave to her. Maybe I should stay. Maybe I should stay and tell her to pack her bags and come with me. [[Stay?->Not Yet]] [[Go?->Bus Stop]]]

(text-colour:white)[I can’t do that. We’re so close to being able to leave but I can’t risk anything, not yet at least. But I’ll get her out of here. I promise I will.]

(text-colour:white)[“Love you mama” I say as I exit out the door. I fish my headphones out of my backpack and pop them into my ears. I stay playing my Michael Jackson playlist and make my way down the road. I pass by broken down houses and playgrounds bustling with children swinging on the paint cracked rails. Soon the neighborhood fades and I’m met with forest on either side of me. I bounce to the beats of Michael as the run down terminal comes into view. I stood under it as I waited for the bus. Suddenly there was a pit then a patter on the roof, and suddenly it grew louder and quicker. It had started raining. I didn’t pack an umbrella so I could only hope it stopped or slowed by the time work would be over. I ignore it and turn up my music a bit more. I try to drown out everything else when suddenly I see a shape appear next to me. No one else is usually here this early. I turn slightly to face them. It was a boy, most likely around my age, maybe a year younger. His stuff was thrown against the ground, and he had his hands on his knees. He must of ran here since he was panting. [[Talk to him?->What's this feeling?]] [[Ignore him?->No love story]]]

(text-colour:black)[I open my mouth to speak to it but then close it. I couldn’t form any words. All I could do was stare as my heart continued to beat faster and faster. It was like my whole world lit up. Was I having a heart attack or something? All I could do was focus on him. On his light auburn curly hair. He stood up to face me when he caught her breath. He had freckles! All over his face and nose which had brown round glasses on top it. His eyes were an emerald green and stared right into mine. We both stood in silence till he decided to break it. “Um…Uh…Is this the bus that goes into town? Near the library and movies?” “Y-yea. Yes. Yes, it is.” I reply as I take out an earbud to hear him better. “It’s one of the first stops.” “Oh great. I’m glad someone else was here. I was worried I was late.” He picks up his backpack. “Nah you’re good. It’s actually the bus that’s running late.” I check my watch. “The rain must be holdin it up or something.” “Right right.” He pushes up his glasses. He was a skinny, frail boy. Looked like glass, one touch could break him. I faced back to the street. I placed my earbud back in. Smooth criminal was playing. I didn’t know what else to say to the boy? How do I carry out a conversation? I feel so…I don’t know //different// around this boy. It’s weird and confusing. “Um…Is that Michael Jackson you’re listening to?” I take out my earbud once again and look at him. “Yea. Smooth Criminal. You like Michael?” “I do. My favorite is Thriller.” He says. “That’s a classic!” I reply with a small smile. We continue our conversation till the bus arrives. When we hop on, we end up sitting in different seats. For some reason it felt awkward to sit next to each other. Ok that’s not the excuse. Why sit next to him when we were just having a small conversation that we’ll never have again. This’ll most likely be the last time I see him anyways. The bus stops near the library like he asked about. I didn’t even get his name. I watched him step out through the window. There’s no hope for love in this town. There never is.] (enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#ffffff,1,#ffffff))) [[Follow Him->Try again]]

(text-colour:white)[I turned back to the road. Content on minding my business. There is no love story here.]

(enchant:?page,(bg:white)) (text-colour:black)[As I rose, the bus started back up again, forcing me back down into my seat. I slightly punched the seat in front of me before putting my head in my hands. What was I doing? Why did I even care so much? I just met him, I don't even know his name. I shouldn't be this hung up on a person who I'll never see again. The stops at where I need to be. I gather my things and hop off. I check my watch and realize the time. I needed to book it and so I did. I sprinted my way to work. I burst through the door and rush to the back to clock in. I barely make it. As I put on my small green apron, I see my best friend, Diane. "Yo. You actually made it on time today. You know if ya were late, the boss would have ripped you a new one. Ha Ha" "Yeah." "What's wrong?" She asks. She knows me all too well. "Is it your mom? Dad?" [[Tell Her->A new feeling]] [[Stay Silent->Pressure]] ]

(text-colour:black)[I want to move out of my seat. I want to stand and follow him. Work is only a couple blocks from where he's going. He asked about the library. He must be going there. [[Follow him->Go]]] (enchant:?page,(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#ffffff,0.5,#ffffff,1,#ffffff)))

(text-colour:black)[Why can't I move? Just stand up! Just go! You're running out of time damn it! You're going to lose him. You'll stay here and never see him again. Move It! [[Follow him->Work]]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:white))Your Text Here (text-colour:black)[I rush to the front of the store to make sure to greet the customer. If I don’t, I'll get chewed out by the big man. "Hello. Welcome to Smile mart, where we sell the things to make you smile." The orangish locks, those freckles, that skin... (link-reveal:"It's him again...")[= (link-reveal: "'Hi.'")[= (link-reveal: "'H-Hi'")[= ]

(enchant:?page,(bg:white)) (text-colour:black)["To be honest. I don't quite know." I make my way out onto the floor. Today's first task was restock. I grabbed one of the boxes before me and started placing items back on the shelves. "You don't quite know?" She scoffs. "Exactly D. I don't know how to properly explain it." I reply. "Well, you're glowing. Sooo, could it be you hooked up with a new guy last night? I did hear from a friend of a friend of my cuz Janice, that they did ee you leaving the club with some boo thang." "No. I went home alone and sober thank you." I move on to the next box and the next isle. "You know you could be helping me." She huffs and picks up a box. "Well if it's not that then what is it? Come on bro, you can tell me." "There was someone at the bus stop today, and like I don't know. He sends my heart racing. He like gives me butterflies or whatever shit that is." "Oh so you're like in love. Like love love-" She's interupted by the ding at the door meaning a customer has come in. ][[Greet them->Again]]

(enchant:?page,(bg:white))Your Text Here (text-colour:black)[ I try to ignore her questions. Diane is someone I've known most my life. We have each other's backs. We know everything about each other, our fears, our dreams, and everything else in between.Yet this isn't something I felt I could put into words. Honestly...it //terrifies// me..but in a //good// way. ][[Tell Her->A new feeling]]