When It Began
He sat quietly, with his back leaning against one of the maple trees that lined the meadow. The field stretched out before him as far as he could see. The warmth of the autumn sun was lightly piercing the trees. The sun danced on his skin, and like a fire it waxed and waned as a light breeze moved the leaves gently.
Today was perfect the wind whistled lowly through the trees. He came here often to find his peace of mind when his world seemed to be crashing down on him. He fiddled with a small dead branch tracing lines in the dirt at his feet. He had written his name. Lucas, ”What an odd name" he thought to himself.
This place was a perfect spot to let his mind drift. He often times came here to daydream. He would dream about another life, a happier life where he didn’t feel so crushed by life’s expectations.
He rose to his feet, wiping the dirt from his hands before turning and walking through the trees. He passed through a perfect pathway that he had made leading to a babbling brook with a small bridge hovering over the widest part of the stream.
He cupped his hands and sipped some of the fresh mountain water. Feeling refreshed, he decided to head back to the tree to retrieve his portfolio of drawings, and head home for the evening. As he approached the edge of the tree-line, his heart began racing. There in front of him was a woman sitting at his tree flipping through his portfolio.
"Oh no!” His mind began swimming. This was his worst nightmare. Those drawings were works that he felt very private about and was uncomfortable sharing. ”I need to get that back before it’s too late! How though?” He wondered. Lucas had always struggled with any sort of social interaction. He had spent most of his life withdrawn, and uncomfortable in any kind of social encounters.
“E-excuse me...umm... Mam? I...well I uh...that’s kind of my private portfolio, if you d-don’t mind I kind of need it...” he had mumbled so quietly that he barely heard himself. ”Got to speak up, I don’t think she heard me.” Lucas cleared his throat, and attempted once more to get her attention.
“M-miss? I’m sorry but I need my portfolio those drawings are priva-” he trailed off as she turned to face him. Her beauty was beyond compare. Her soft slender face, and amber eyes glimmering. Her nose had a slim bridge leading down to her small full lips perked inward in a smirk. As she faced him her smile widened. Her eyes closed lightly when she smiled, there was a feeling of peace that flowed from her. She seemed to have a faint golden glow surrounding her. She stood turning toward him to reveal a slender figure that looked healthy and full of life. A breeze drifted by rustling her straight brown hair, some of the strands revealing their length it sat at around the length of the middle of her back.
He stared at her for a moment bewildered. She smiled gently and let out a small giggle.
"She noticed." He thought quietly. He averted his eyes, as a rush of hot blood filled his cheeks.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” she said softly. She stepped closer to him and tilted her head to meet his eyes. He looked away once more and said.
“Well, it’s getting late and I should get home...” the words trickled out of him trailing off into a mumble at the end.
“Would you mind walking me home first?” she asked.
“I don’t even know your name, let alone where you live.” his words felt almost as empty as his excuses.
“Amelia.” She said smiling excitedly. Guess I have no choice now he grumbled to himself. ”Amelia...of course her name is just as beautiful.” He pondered momentarily scratching the back of his head.
“H-how far do you live?” He said almost in a whisper. She pointed off into the distant hills to a small house sitting atop a hillside.
“Right there!” She said excitedly. “Oh here, your art is wonderful I especially like this one.” She said her words flowing with a smooth soft voice revealing the page where he had drawn that same house. He tore the page free from the book and held it out to her. “If you like it, it’s yours... I never cared for it that much.” He said tentatively. "That’s actually one of my favorites...but she seems to really like it.” He thought. She lit up with a smile stretching from ear to ear.
“Really? You mean it! Thank you so much!” She said taking it from him her small hands with slim fingers brushing against his. ”Her hands are so cold...” Lucas thought as he held her gaze for a moment before feeling the heat build in his cheeks once more as he diverted his gaze. “She seems to really like that drawing...she looks so...lonely though...I wonder if she is really happy? Oh well she looks really sweet when she smiles...” Lucas shook his head. “What’s wrong with me?” He thought.
“I live in that direction myself...s-so I can walk you back on my way...” he said stumbling over his words again.
“Really? Are you sure?” Amelia asked with a grin.
“Well, it isn’t as though it would be out of my way or anything...” Lucas scrambled scratching the back of his head gently.
“Regardless, I appreciate it. I don’t really like to walk alone.” Amelia said smiling again.
“This girl is really strange...I guess I don’t really mind the company either though.” Lucas thought.
They began walking toward her home in a tense silence. Perhaps it was only tense for him however, as she seemed completely unbothered by his quiet disposition. He noticed that she stood only a few inches shorter than him. ”Hugging her would be perfect it looks like it would be so comfortable. Holding her hand would be nice too...I could warm her cold hands...What is wrong with me? There is no way she would be interested in me.” Lucas thought with a cross look on his face. He was angry with himself for even thinking about her that way ”After all we just met today.”
"I never got your name...you already know mine so what’s yours? It’s only fair.” Amelia said breaking the silence at last, pulling him abruptly from his thoughts.
“My name? Oh it’s uh, well, Lucas. My name is Lucas.” He said. ”Idiot...can’t even remember your own name?” Lucas thought impatiently to himself.
“I like it! Its fitting.” Amelia replied gleefully.
“Really? I never really cared for it...” Lucas said looking down at his feet.
“Why don’t you like your name?” She said inquisitively.
“It’s just a simple name, but it does fit, a simple name for a simple person...I guess.” He said with a shrug.
“I don’t think you’re simple. After all I saw your portfolio. Those pictures are more than simple.” Amelia said with a surprisingly serious tone. Lucas looked up at her again feeling a grin creep across his face.
“Well, thank you. You are the only person who has ever seen it.” Lucas said.
“Awe! Are you saying I’m special? in the future I’ll be able to say I know that artist!” She said laughing and smiling again.
“Not likely. I don’t plan on sharing it with anyone, however I appreciate it.” Lucas said looking down again.
“What do you mean!? If I had an ounce of talent like that I wouldn’t hesitate to show it to the world!” She said.
“Oh come now I’m sure you have your own talents! Probably much more interesting than mine. I can’t share my art though...I don’t think anyone would understand the way I see the world.” Lucas said quietly.
“How do you know? You won’t know until you try right?” She said smiling. She had stopped walking and was facing the horizon where the sun was setting. “Someday you need to show someone who you really are. What is the point in living if no one knows who you are?” Amelia said staring at the setting sun.
“I guess...” he said looking at the sun next to her.
“Tell me Lucas. What do you see?” Amelia asked looking at Lucas.
“What do you mean?” Lucas asked.
“I mean right now looking at that horizon?” she asked
“I see...purple. I see warmth, and light. I see the end of day and it is a beautiful way to remind the world that life is all around us. The end of a day is never really the end but the beginning of night. A cycle that never stops... sorry I got a little carried away.” Lucas said with a small chuckle. He looked at Amelia her sun dress blowing lightly around her feet. Her eyes were closed, and a tear was forming at the corner of her eye.
“I’m sorry! Did I say something wrong?” Lucas asked frantically. She laughed wildly and said.
“No, I just thought that view was beautiful, and the world deserves to hear it. Don’t you agree?” She finished cocking her head to the side to better see his face.
“If you say so...its gonna get dark soon...we should keep going.” Lucas said.
“Yeah, you’re right. Alright let’s go. My house isn’t too much further.”
”What does she see in me that would warrant that conversation...I know I’m not a bad artist but I am no davinci.” Lucas pondered as they approached the driveway of Amelia’s home.
“Thank you for walking me home. It was nice to have someone to walk and talk with.” Amelia smiled at him.
“Oh...Uh yeah...I mean I was going to be heading this way anyway so it was no trouble really.” Lucas said his face burning.
“Trouble or no, I still do appreciate it.” She smiled again and Lucas felt his heart pounding. He smiled back and said.
“Well I suppose I should get home myself...It’s gonna get dark soon after-all.” He said shakily. “It was...nice....to uh...to walk with you too.” He said looking her in the eyes. “She is such an odd person...but I am glad to have met her.” He smiled back and said goodbye as she turned to walk to her door. He watched as she walked up her drive. Until she waved to him and disappeared into her home.
Lucas walked the rest of the way home thinking quietly to himself. “Who was that girl? And what was with all that talk about me being a famous artist? Well, it doesn’t matter now. I doubt I’ll ever see her again anyway.” Resolved with his thoughts he entered his house and went straight to his bedroom where he lied down staring up at the ceiling fan watching it spin until he fell asleep.
Lucas woke early and looked at his alarm clock. “6:02, Why am I even awake?” He thought as he sat up pushing his blanket aside, and shivering in the cold morning air. He stood up and walked into his kitchen looking out his window to the quiet city. “I wonder if Amelia is awake...” He shook his head briskly.
“I need some coffee.” He said aloud to himself. After getting a fresh pot started he turned his attention to his painting canvas. Looking at the work he was making last, he frowned. “This is terrible...I don’t know what I was trying to express here...” He thought looking at the rough painting of a man sitting at the bus stop. “I used far too much blue....this doesn’t look calming...it looks depressing, who am I Van Gough?”
He could smell the fresh coffee now ready to drink and his stomach rumbled faintly. After preparing a thermos of coffee he decided he would stop at a donut shop on his way to the field again today. He grabbed his favorite pull-over sweatshirt it was a marbled yellow, black, and white design with Snoopy on it. “I wish I loved my work as much as Snoopy loved Woodstock...” He thought lamenting.
He loaded a bag with his portfolio, some pencils for sketching, and a small bag of pretzels. Putting the bag over his shoulder he left the house ready for his day.
Lucas walked away from his home pointing himself in the direction of the donut shop two blocks away. He lived in a relatively nice neighborhood with many houses that looked almost identical to one another along the street. The sky was a bit brighter now with a faint blue beginning to cover it. The air was cold and brisk but it smelled nice. “The cars haven’t begun to change the air yet...I love this time of morning.” He thought as he continued walking.
As he arrived at the donut shop he noticed the closed sign was still out. He decided to look down at his watch to see it was 6:30. “They aren’t open until 7...I guess I can just sit and wait, it’s only half an hour.”
He passed the time by retrieving his portfolio from his bag and began sketching the shop. He drew the building and exaggerated the color of the sky and sign to look as though it were raining and the colors were more vibrant.
“That’s beautiful! Do you like the rain?” A sweet voice called out from behind Lucas. Startled he popped up and began fervently looking for the source and his eyes fell on, “Amelia?...What is she doing here?” He thought as he stared at her stunned. She was wearing a red cable knit hat, with a cream knit turtleneck sweater, and blue jeans. “She looks...beautiful...” He thought as blood rushed to his face.
“I- er, well uh...yeah I uh I like the rain. Do you also um, ya know...like it?” He stammered. “Great. Yeah that’s definitely how you should start a conversation...idiot.” Lucas thought frustrated.
“I really do. The rain is calming and it makes me really happy. Is that strange?” She replied smiling. Her smile was infectious and he found himself grinning just looking at her. After a few awkward moments he spoke.
“Oh uh! Sorry! No I uh I don’t think its strange, I feel the same way...Say uh...Why are you here?” He said stiffly.
“To get donuts of course silly! Or maybe I followed you.” She said with a deadpan expression before smiling wildly and laughing. Lucas turned a bit red and laughed as well.
“Yes I uh, I guess that would make sense wouldn’t it? Sorry.” He said still smiling. They looked at one another smiling for a few moments before the sound of jingling from the shop opening caught them off guard. “Oh look, they seem to be open now.” He said quickly returning his things to his bag.
“Yeah we should probably get inside before someone else gets all the good donuts.” She said with a sweet smile. They walked into the shop together and he stepped to the side and held his hands out to indicate he wanted her to go first. She looked at him appreciatively before walking up to the counter. After they both ordered, Lucas smiled and waved to her.
“I guess I will get going. It was great to run into you again though.” He said as casually as he could muster. Amelia paused for a moment and then called out to him.
“Uh Lucas, I was wondering. Would you maybe wanna get a cup of coffee with me?” She asked with a bit of a tremble. His face turned beat red as he replied.
“Oh...well I uh...I- I already have some coffee...” He said as Amelia’s face began to sink looking disappointed. “I’m sure that coffee is ice cold now though....” As he finished her face lit up again.
“Oh really? Okay! Do you have a place in mind?” She said excitedly.
“Uh, yeah actually it’s kind of my favorite place when I order coffee. I need to run back to my house real quick to grab my wallet if you don’t mind...” He said.
“Well I can go with you, if you would like.”
“Sure, actually it’s only a few blocks from here.” He said as they turned and began walking back toward his house. “What am I doing?! I barely know this woman and I’m bringing her back to my house? But then again...she looked so sad....when I almost turned her down. Maybe she is just lonely...”
They walked together laughing and talking about very little aside from small comments about their day so far and how cold it was. As they neared his house he looked to Amelia and said.
“Ya know...I actually made a fresh pot before I left this morning and I filled a thermos with coffee...So I wasn’t entirely truthful but you seemed disappointed when I was going to turn you down...So...Why?” Amelia’s expression lost a bit of happiness as she said.
“I really enjoyed talking to you, and to be honest...I haven’t really had anyone to talk to since my friends moved away...” She looked incredibly sad at the mention.
“I see. Well I am sorry to bring up painful memories for you I guess I was just a little surprised because I don’t really have any friends either...and you are just so beautiful that I don’t know I thought maybe you just felt pity for me...” Amelia looked shocked and he continued. “Oh uh sorry! I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable and I am sorry if that was so forward!”
“No, no it’s fine...you think I’m beautiful?” She said with a small giggle. He was burning up and completely embarrassed.
“Well Yeah, I mean you really are...anyway...uh this is it!” He sputtered out desperate to change the subject. “I’ll just grab my wallet and we can go.” Lucas ran into his bedroom to grab his wallet and then rushed back outside to Amelia.
“Are you ready to go?” He asked.
“Yes! Where are we off to?” She replied.
“To a beautiful café called Ihop” he said looking at her intently. she paused and looked at him in a sort of disbelief before laughing and saying.
“Oh, I feel I may be underdressed for the occasion...” Lucas laughed and said.
“I swear they do actually have the best coffee in town!”
“Well then let’s get going shall we?” They smiled at one another before starting off toward the restaurant.
