Blindfolded

A story about something that once was, but no longer is.

Each breath carried with it the familiarity of fall. The sun beat down, warming the thin blades of grass that tickled my calves. Eyes closed, I absorbed all that was this perfect moment in my adolescent existence. Auburn tresses brushed my neck as I leaned back, my palms pressed into the dirt. A circle of friends giggled and bantered, all eager to impress the next, to be better than the rest. Sweet parfumes and teenage pharamones mingled in the center of our social orgy. A head in each lap. A hand on each shoulder. We were young and we were invincible.

All was ordinary that day on the crowded lawn. The leaves of our tree shaded us. In every direction voices called out, chiding and fawning, nipping and lusting. Shy girls collected in the enclaves and on the stairs, clinging to their backpacks for security. Uncertain boys shuffled down the open halls, eyes to the floor, too timid to say hello to the pretty passerby. Obnoxious pranksters roared their laughter for all to hear, unafraid of the judgement that may befall them. And we sat, contented, our own coagulation of misfits, concerned only with ourselves.

It was a life shattering moment, a burst of light in my mundane world. The glass barrier was penetrated with one glance in his direction. When did he get there - across from me in the shaded ring? Time froze and the earth fell from beneath me. It was a break in the fine tuned organaization of my life.

"Who are you?" My eyebrows furrowed in genuine distress.

"Oh, sorry guys. This is Jay." Our skinny, dark haired friend, Mike introduced him.

We went around the circle and said our hellos, but I couldn't take my eyes off of him. Love was the farthest thing from my mind, but an eerie sense that my world had been shaken by this stranger clung to me. He let us in, but oh so little. Each detail was guarded, something always hidden beneath the polished surface.

We each went our separate ways, already forgetting the unfamiliar face that had imposed itself upon us. Life went on, class to class, friend to friend, day to day. In time he was just another one of us. His presence was accepted and soon became familiar. As the rainy season rolled in we moved our gathering from the lawn to a low metal table. Schedules got busy and before long our group was sparse. The others became occupied, and I was often the sole representative of our original clan.

The seasons continued to change, but one thing remained. He was always there. Even in the stillness of my room he was there, plaguing my thoughts and drawing me into those deep brown eyes. He became my friend, someone I could rely on to be there. When I was alone he would keep me company. When I was down he would lift my chin. When I was hungry he would feed me. Then one day I was cold.

Deep gray clouds had hidden away the sun, swallowed it into the belly of the storm. Days of rain chilled my bones and made my teeth chatter. The portable classroom was warm, heated by forced air and tense young bodies. Students were scattered throughout the room, so few of us in the advanced statistics class. I had chosen this as an elective, having been finished a year prior with my math qualifications. It bored me half to death. While the other students studied the pages of their books, I watched the clock, eager to be among friends. Tick, tick, tick, the second hand taunted me.

Mr. Walton droned on about something that I failed to grasp. Outside the other students located at the back of the school were already rushing to the quad to refuel. In an act of mercy he released us. I darted outside, unable to withstand another second of the stagnant air. Drops of rain wetted my hair and my thin hooded sweater. Shivering I sped to the cover of the halls.

He was there, with three others, all boys. We stood in a lopsided formation, close enough to block some of the chill, but too far for warmth. He bragged about his conquests, offering advice to the less confident of our male peers. Then he looked at me, teeth chattering and clothes dampened. Without a second thought he disposed of his tray and unzipped his checkered jacket. I hesitated, wary of the slyness of the other sex.

"Come on." He insisted, waving me in.

Electricity pulsed through my blood the moment we touched. This is the one. My better nature warned me against this...you have fallen in love before. This is trouble....this is the one. I breathed in his body and my eyes fell shut. His heart beat steadily in my ear. Boom. Boom. Boom. I was lost in him. His warmth sheilded me and I let myself fall, deeper and deeper. This is the one.

Author's Note

These are thoughts about the past. Not too organized, just a reflection. Names have been changed. Details are as I remember them. It is supposed to be unfinished because there is a lot more to the story. Maybe I will write it down maybe not.

Reviews

[AaronFreitas]

Hey i enjoyed this piece... hope you are doing well... I miss ya already!!!! haha Nice to read your words :)