Reason to Breathe

We sped off through the back field, toward the woods. My heart pounded against my chest. I gripped him tighter as we entered the woods and the terrain became bumpier - I could feel the seat give with each divot and root, still too scared to enjoy the experience.

Eventually, I became accustomed to the uneven ride and loosened my death grip. I still kept my arms snugly around him, knowing that one unexpected bounce and I’d be airborne. I focused on the trees streaking by and the sun fighting through the tops of the evergreens. It was brighter in the woods than I expected, probably because most of the trees were bare, preparing for winter - despite the unseasonably warm day.

Evan eventually slowed and crawled to a stop. He shut off the bike and took off his helmet. I sat up and attempted to do the same. I couldn’t figure out how to take it off, so I climbed off the bike and asked him to help me. My legs trembled beneath me.

“Well?” he asked, after removing the helmet from my head.

I shrugged. “Not bad.”

“What?” he questioned. “You loved it, admit it.”

“Not really.”

He shook his head and smiled.

“This is nice.” I nodded toward the glistening clearing with the sunlight dancing along the swaying overgrown blades and the brook along the bottom of a small hill, bubbling over rocks before disappearing into the woods.

“I’ve taken some amazing pictures out here.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen your pictures. Well, except for the newspaper and the one you submitted for the calendar.”

“I can show you when we get back if you want.”

“Sure.”

We walked to the brook and sat at its edge, mesmerized by the water rippling over the stones.

“My mom showed up at the game the other night,” I blurted, staring into the water. I wasn’t prepared to say that, and honestly, I thought I was past it until I inadvertently found my thoughts drifting there again.

“You must have been happy to see her.”

I let out an uneasy laugh. “I don’t know about that.”

Evan remained quiet, waiting for me to continue.

“It was awkward,” I confessed.

“I’m sorry,” Evan replied, not knowing what else to say. I shrugged dismissively, afraid to reveal more.

He casually took my hand, making my heart trip. We sat in silence, caught up in the glistening flow of the water.

“I’m still trying to figure out what my mother’s up to,” he finally said. “Or it’s possible she could actually like you.”

“Thanks,” I shot back sarcastically.

“You know what I mean,” he offered, trying to make me feel better. “It’s not like you talked to her very much last night. She’s never been this… accepting of anyone before. She’s really hard to please.”

“I can see that,” I recognized with a slight nod. “Speaking of which, you were so different at the Jacobs’ house. It was a little strange.”

“How?”

“You seemed… older. You talked more proper and were almost stiff,” I shared, hoping I didn’t offend him. I looked over at him to see his eyes moving, considering my words.

“I guess I never thought about it, but you’re probably right. It’s most likely from years of having to go to those things – they’re rubbing off on me. That sucks.”

I let out a short laugh.

“I guess you’ll have to come to more of them to keep me real,” he suggested, gently nudging my shoulder with his. I caught my breath at his touch, my mouth posed in a shocked smile with thoughts of future dinners.

Then I heard a buzzing and a distant chime. Evan reached in his pocket and took out his cell phone. He read who was calling on the screen and grinned at me before answering.

“Hi Jake,” he answered. My mouth dropped open. Evan smiled. He listened for a while, but couldn’t keep the smile off of his face, occasionally glancing at me.

“Sorry I didn’t tell you I was showing up with her. I didn’t think it mattered.” He listened again for a minute.

“I understand, but I warned you she wasn’t like that.” He looked at me with a grin. My eyes grew wider - I could only imagine what was being said on the other end.

“No, I don’t think you have to worry about either of them saying anything. No, Jason won’t – I talked to him about it last night.

“Yeah, I’d say she wasn’t interested either.” Evan smiled wider – heat flashed across my cheeks.

“Don’t worry about it; it’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He laughed as he pressed End.

“You’d better tell me what that was all about,” I threatened.

“He was pissed that I was there, thinking that’s why you acted that way. And he wanted to know if I thought any of you would say anything. The parties are handpicked for a reason – no one talks about what goes on there. There are rumors, but no one ever admits to anything. But the good news is that you won’t have to worry about him hitting on you – I think he got the hint.”

“Well, that’s good,” I admitted. “He really is so full of himself. I can’t believe you’re friends with him.”

“I wouldn’t say we’re friends. I met him before I moved here. His mother and mine were on a fundraising committee, and I met him at the dinner. When he found out I was moving here, he invited me to one of his parties to introduce me to people before I started school.” I really wanted to comment about his “introduction”, but the thought of it made my stomach flip. I forced out the stray thoughts.

“Besides that, we have soccer in common, and we’ve hung out a few times with other guys. But I would never call him up and ask him over. He’s a lot to take by himself. I’d hate to be the girl he’s focused on – you have no idea what he says…” Then he stopped to look at me apologetically.

“Evan, are you serious?! He’s said things about me to the soccer team?” My stomach turned in disgust.

“He doesn’t when I’m around because he knows it pisses me off, and I have no problem telling him that. He’s an ass, don’t worry about it. He’s not lying and saying that you’ve gotten together or anything like that.” I knew he was trying to make me feel better, but I was fuming at the thought of being the topic of anything that came out of Jake’s mouth.

“We should head back,” Evan said, pulling me back from my angry thoughts. I followed him to the bike where he helped me with my helmet before we climbed on. The return trip didn’t seem as long, thankfully. Can’t say the bike was my favorite adrenaline rush.

Evan parked the bike in the garage before leading me upstairs. Upon entering, he selected the music of a guy with a smooth voice, strumming a guitar to an easy rhythm, singing about being under the stars - it reminded me of being on the beach.

“Are you hungry? I can run down and grab us a couple of sandwiches,” he offered.

“Sure.” He left while I sat on the couch, enchanted by the optimistic melodies. I barely heard Evan run back up the stairs.

“Here you go,” he announced. I jumped.

“You don’t pay attention very well, do you?”

“I didn’t hear you,” I defended. He let out a quick laugh. He placed a plate on the table in front of me with a bottle of root beer.

“Is your mom still here?”

“Yeah, she just gave me a hard time about taking you out on the bike. I assured her you weren’t that breakable.” I tightened my lips to hide a smile. I couldn’t imagine his mother being so concerned about my well being. She barely knew me.

When we were done eating, Evan asked, “Do you want to see the pictures I was talking about?”

“Definitely.”

I followed him as he opened the door behind the foosball tables into a rustic room with exposed wood beamed walls. There were two small windows on the other side of the room, overlooking the drive way. Two twin beds with navy comforters sat along one wall, and a long desk with pictures and photography equipment sprawled across it ran along the other. There was a simple, doorless closet on the same wall as the entrance with shelves of clothes, books and photography equipment.

One of the first things I noticed was Sara’s white scarf hanging on the back of the rolling desk chair. Evan caught my eye and pressed his lips together.

“Yeah, you forgot that in my car. I keep forgetting to give it to you.” I nodded, not sure what to make of it, so I decided to dismiss it.

Evan started pointing out different pictures of scenic landscapes that were pinned to the wooden beams above the desk, explaining where he was when he took them. I was easily lost in the detail of each shot, transported to the location as if I were there standing next to him when he took them.

I began flipping through the loose pictures scattered on the desk. Evan commented on some of the shots then became silent to let me look on my own. I couldn’t say anything – I was speechless. I knew he was talented when I saw the results for the paper, but I had no idea.

I opened a black bound book, causing Evan to take in a quick breath. I hesitated, uncertain if he wanted me to look through it.

“That’s my work for Art class,” he offered. It didn’t explain his reaction.

“Can I look through it?” I’d never seen him so tense before.

“Sure,” he breathed, remaining uneasy, standing perfectly still.

I turned the pages and studied the art that he captured through his lens. The portfolio contained scenic pictures, sports action pictures, and abstract pictures of unidentifiable objects with smooth lines and intricate curves. Then I flipped the page and stopped. I could sense Evan stiffen even more when the image caught my breath.

I examined the black and white angled profile of the girl. The soft lines of her face filled most of the picture, her pale skin providing dramatic contrast with the dark background. A thick wet strand of hair clung to her subtly parted full lips. Drops of water scattered on her smooth skin, dripping from her sloping nose. Her almond shaped eyes were smeared with black, framing their haunted depths as she focused on a place far removed from the picture.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed, admiring the powerful emotion and truth frozen in the single shot.

“I love that picture,” he admitted softly. “I think it’s because I love the girl in that picture.”

I turned slowly to face him, confused by his words feeling my stomach twist.

“What?” The strangling spread to my chest. I could feel my heart beating in my throat.

“You don’t remember when I took that picture?”

I stared at him, unsure of what he was talking about.

“You were so quiet for so long. You didn’t say anything when I came back to check on you. So I left to get my camera, thinking I could get shots of people at the party and give you time alone since you didn’t seem to want to talk.” I was afraid to hear more. My heart beat louder, and my head felt light – I could barely breathe.

“By the time I got back, it had started to rain. I saw Sara in the house - I told her where you were, and that I’d meet her outside. You looked so amazing in your stillness, sitting in the rain; at the same time, you looked displaced – like you were a million miles away. I had to capture it. I tried to talk to you, but you wouldn’t say anything. So I sat next to you and waited. You finally stirred from wherever you went and realized it was raining.”