Where The Trees Don't Grow II

It is early morning, the sun shines so brightly, breeze so light you wouldn’t even be able to tell there was a breeze, and the birds began their song. At first sunlight, the birds began their beautiful tune. One a certain boy loved to hear.

It’s been two years since Dominic Rodriguez’s death or since The Demon’s disappearance. Alex left for college two months ago. It was heartbreaking, especially for Jonah, to see him go. Alex still wanted them to be together, even if it was long distance, but the pressure was too much for Jonah. They broke up. That day was one of the worst days for Jonah, even now he still worries that Alex is sleeping with someone else. Jonah used to always love hearing the birds sing early in the morning, but now it was just a nuisance to him. Everything he loved reminds him of his past, something he wanted to forget. Alex still called to see how Jonah was doing, but it was the same answer every time.

Hey, how are you doing?

Fine.

You don’t sound fine.

I’m the same I always am, nothing ever changes in this town.

I’m sorry, I’m sure it will get better.

Sure.

I love you.

Okay.

It was as if Jonah was going back to his old self but worse. He showed no interest in the things he loved before, not his family, not even his brother. His brother tried to go and see the birds with him in the morning but there was no point, Jonah was never there. He walked to school now, a junior. Sometimes Alex’s sister, Emma, would walk with him but as usual, he ignored her. This time she caught up to him.

“Hey, how’s it going?”

No answer.

“You excited for school?”

No answer.

“Do you want me to leave you alone?”

No answer.

“Okay.”

This was how things were now, nothing special and nothing unusual. As soon as the day was over with Jonah would walk home alone. But, the world had something different planned for him.

“Okay son, look, all you have to do is just go in there and ask someone if they know where the administration office is, someone, is bound to know.”

“Okay, Father.”

Cameron Elliot just moved here, a senior, he’s known for being a prince. Tall and masculine, smooth shiny brown hair that almost covered his eyes, and the bluest eyes anyone had ever seen. He was kind, smart, and loving. He’s been in many relationships before, guys and girls. And this boy happens to run into Jonah Miller first. Was it a mistake or a miracle?

“Oh hi! Do you think you could tell me where the Administration Office is? Sorry, I’m new here and don’t know where anything is. I was hoping you c-”

Jonah looked up at Cameron, he choked up. Jonah’s blue eyes stole Cameron’s breath away. He stood there speechless. Cameron blushed harder than he ever had before. His heart beat faster than ever, his whole world was spinning, spinning because of this one person. No one ever made Cameron feel this way but this person did, Jonah did.

“Do you think, um, it’s possible for you to, uh, point me in the-in the right direction?”

Jonah walked right past him without saying anything. Cameron looked past him but the boy was already gone. He turned back and a girl with short brown hair looked up at him.

“Sorry about him, he doesn’t talk much. You must be new to this school if you’re asking him for help. Hi, my name’s Emma, Emma Smith. I’m a junior here and I’ll gladly show you to the Administration Office. This way.”

Cameron thought only to himself, God this girl won’t shut up. But maybe she knows something about that boy?

“Hey, who was that?”

“You mean Jonah?”

“Jonah.”

“Yeah, he’s also a junior here, he’s actually my next-door neighbor. He doesn’t really talk to people he doesn’t know.”

“How do you know him, other than him being your neighbor?”

“Oh, well, he dated my brother for a few months.”

“Dated? As in not anymore?”

“Yeah, they broke up because my brother went off to college and Jonah didn’t think he could handle a long-distance relationship. My brother still wanted to be with him but Jonah didn’t think he could do it. Ever since then he hasn’t talked to anyone, not even his own family. Actually the only time anyone ever sees him is at the beginning of school and the end when we all go home. I try to talk to him, but that never works out. Honestly, you’re just better off not talking to him, it’ll save you the awkwardness of silence.”

With everything that she said, this is what rolled in Cameron’s mind, How could just so easily talk about him, as if he were nothing! I don’t know who her brother is but he obviously didn’t deserve him. Jonah is a special person, and he is special to me. Good thing is that the boyfriend is maybe out of the picture? I don’t believe in love at first sight but I do feel something struck here. I’m going to need to get to know him more than just running into each other at school.

“Is this it?”

“Yes, this is the Administration Office. Anything else you need?”

“Yes, where do you live?”