She sighs. “My parents and I go to the woods once a week to camp, today we didn’t because they needed to fix the car. So, I sneaked out and just wanted to explore. I hope they won’t be mad.”
Her smile falters as she looks down into her lap feeling guilty “I really didn’t think I would be going this far into the woods.”
A pause stretched out between us.
“How old are you?”
Well it looks like she does not like the silence.
“I’m ten.”
“I’m almost nine! But I’m definitely taller than you.” She sticks out her tongue at me.
I frown as I quickly stand up. “No, you’re not.”
She stands up as well and it’s obvious by our height difference that I’m taller than her but she giggles at my frown. “You're silly, Clay.”
Realizing that she just wanted to tease me. I smile as she holds out her pinkie.
Okay, she's a little funny.
“Would you like to be my friend?
I reach the back of my neck scratching it awkwardly. She looks up at me hopeful and something about her eyes, hair and demeanor just felt that I belong.
I wrap our pinkies together and nod.
We sit down, our backs resting on a rock as we talk.
“Let me guess, your favorite color is….brown?”
I shake my head as we have been playing guessing games for a while. Which she insisted on to build our friendship.
“Ugh! It’s my fourth guess already.”
The thing is, I don’t even have a favorite color. But I don't want to lower her spirit or ruin our game.
“Blue.” I look at her.
I have decided just this instance that blue is my forever favorite color.
Ice blue specifically.
“Why are your eyelashes white?” I ask suddenly, my intrigue couldn’t hold my tongue.
She wraps her arms around herself, it’s still raining so she’s probably freezing and definitely would catch a cold.
“Dad said that it’s called albinism, and that it’s rare and beautiful! But some girls at my old school made fun of me.”
I hold the hem of my soaked sweater and pull it off, holding it for her to wear. I know it won’t help much since it’s as soaked as her clothes but it would make me feel better.
“I agree with your dad, it’s pretty.” I clear my throat. She smiles as color erupts on her cheeks.
“Thank you.”
She takes the sweater and puts it on her. Even if it’s cold, she doesn’t show it.
“Aren’t your parents probably searching for you now?”
