WALK WITH YOU: CHAPTER 6

What in the actual hell just happened? 

Silence has fallen upon the two of us as we avoid eye contact and stare at the sites. Turning on Flatbush Ave. I see a sign for the Zoo and Botanic Gardens. If only I had known about this place earlier I would have come here instead of going shopping for more clothes I don't need. I

guess when you're stranded without any means of paying for anything and nothing to identify yourself with you realize just how materialistic life can be sometimes. Sinking deep into thought, I fail to notice Evans voice right away.

“Listen Izzy, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have done that back there.” Only problem is, he didn't actually do anything. 

Is that what's bugging me? 

“My life is… Complicated. I'm not going to bore you with the details but just so you know I'm really enjoying the randomness of tonight with you. It's definitely been an interesting one so far.” 

Interesting indeed. I've always had my friends around for most of my life adventures. We've travelled together, partied together, been in trouble together and all of life's moments in between. This is one of the first times I've ever really been alone with someone I don't know much about in a strange city. So far it hasn't been all bad except for the embarrassing rejection moment. But hey, I'm independent and strong and will not let the rest of my adventure be ruined. 

Nearing the end of Prospect Park, I can see a large monument in the distance. A little sign on the side of the road reads „Grand Army Plaza‟. “Hey there's a fountain over there, is it cool with you if we stopped for a bit?” I ask him. 

“Yeah sure let‟s do it.” Crossing the street carefully to avoid being hit by anything on the still crowded roads we come up to the fountain. Placed in the middle of the road shrouded in trees its lovely and I can't help but close my eyes to the rushing sound of the water. I open my eyes to see Evan sitting on the edge staring up at the sky. His blue eyes sparkling from the lamp lights. More questions run through my head, damn my curiosity. If I were a cat, I'd be dead nine times by now. 

Caught staring yet again, Evan looks at me with a small lopsided grin. “What are you smiling at?” I asked and of course I can feel myself blushing now. 

Damn. 

“You. You do this thing where you retreat into yourself. Where do you go?” Do I still do that? 

I guess I don't realize I do it much anymore. I used to do it a lot when I was younger, after my parents passed away. I was sent to live with my Aunt. She wasn't home very often and worked a lot so I was left to myself most of the time. I preferred it back then, it let me be alone with my thoughts and confused at how much my life changed in such a little amount of time. Two years later I met Ella, then a few years after that Shannon and Jon. They brought me out of my world and into a one of fun, love and adventure. I really do miss them right about now. 

“Sorry, I didn't realize I was doing it. Just lost in thought I guess.” 

A small tick in his jaw catches my attention before he replies, “You know you can change your mind anytime right?” 

“About what?” 

He waves his hand in the air “About all this, you can stop being stubborn and just accept a cab ride from me and you can be back to your hotel.” 

“Why? You want to get rid of me that bad?” I start to smile at my comment but realize he's not smiling back. Okay. “Did I miss something? I thought you said you were having fun.” Standing up he starts to shuffle his feet back and forth, “I am, this is… It's just… Never mind. I was just checking if you wanted it all to be over.” 

Over? “This is the last time I'm going to say this; I'm not taking your money. If you want to go then go. I'm not stopping you. If this is all getting tedious and boring well I didn't ask you to come with me, you offered. You can leave anytime you want.” 

We are at a standstill, rushing water, car engines, and the city moving around us all in the background while we are so still that neither of us know if the other is even breathing. I can see him thinking, mulling it over. If he didn't want to walk me why was he so adamant about it in the first place? I realize my palms are sweating, that my breathing has gone shallow and there is a lump in my throat and stinging behind my eyes. Oh hell no, don't you dare cry woman! I will myself not to lose my temper or my control. Then I realize it's not my temper or control I have to keep in check. It's my fear. Fear that he'll walk away and I'll never see him again. Fear that he'll actually leave me here. Alone.