She looks at her watch and her eyes widen. It’s been 4 hours. We have been sitting, talking for hours in the rain and I didn’t care about anything. My parents or the water I worked hard to fill but gave it to her with no hesitation when she was thirsty.
Having someone to talk to is…nice
“I have to go.”
The words fill my heart with disappointment as I follow her, standing up quickly.
“Wait.”
Please don’t leave me.
“How will you cross the river? It's dangerous.”
She looks down at the river. I wasn’t taller than most boys my age but definitely taller than her.
“Hold onto me.” before she can comprehend what I said. I wrap my arms around her middle as I hoist her up as much as I can. She yelps “What are you doing, Clay?” I ignore her.
I step into the river carefully, testing the water deepness. My feet touch the bottom and the water reaches my chest. I hoist her up more as I slowly take one step at a time. The current is pushing me but I hold myself down, tightening my hold onto her.
The water is rising and I underestimated it.
“Clay!” Her lips tremble.
I can’t feel the bottom of the river anymore.
“Don’t let go Elsie.” She wraps her arms around my neck as I swim, pushing with my feet to keep us up top. Water hits my mouth as I dive in and keep her reaching the surface as I kick with my legs and hold my breath.
Just a little more.
Kick.
Push.
My lungs tighten and I need to inhale. I keep calm to maneuver the water. A muffled cry for my name echoes. It drives me to keep swimming. My vision blurs as I start to lose consciousness. The water starts to lower as we finally reach the other side. I gulp for air as I resurface.
“Are you insane?!” She yells as she looks at me like I have grown horns.
I chuckle reaching for my missing glasses as a habit.
“Some might think that.”
She shakes her head and looks back over her shoulder at the woods ahead. “I will just go the way I came.”
She waves at me “It’s nice meeting you and I hope we meet again soon.”
She starts to walk away and I follow her instinctively. She looks back at me “Can I walk with you home? At least to make sure you arrived home safely?” I cross my fingers behind my back hoping she would say yes.
She nods with a smile.
And that was enough for me to stride towards her, taking her hand in mine as we walked together towards her home.
She keeps pointing at places she remembers seeing on her way here as we follow it.
A small two story house appears onto a road. Elsie steps forward then turns her head back to me. “Clay, would you like to come in? My mom bakes the best macaroons, she will love for you to join us.” her eyes sparkling in anticipation. I never had someone who wanted to stay with me. She is very kind and I don’t want to leave, maybe she is just offering to be nice.
I shake my head. “I don’t think your parents will like me, Elsie, just go inside. They probably just worried about you.” I let her hand go and look down at my sneakers and step back. Her smile falls.
“You can keep the sweater though.” I smile, trying to lift up her spirit.
