That Old Tree by the Creek

There was once this old tree. I was never sure of the type of tree that it was, or why it was planted there, but I loved this tree. Two main branches separated but inches from the ground, one towering upward, while the other grew horizontally over the creek it grew next to. The horizontal branch had several branchoffs at the end, so in summer, it was impossible to see through the leaves, excluding below, and to the opposite side of the park and trail. For some reason, nobody ever climbed this tree, despite its exquisite ease, and the lovely view of the water below. Not that I minded; it was pretty nice to have it all to myself.1

And so this branch became my haven. When I was upset, I used to just go on a run, as it's fairly difficult to sob when your lungs were trying to keep up with your legs. But then I found this tree. After finding it, I began to just run there and focus on the water rushing below me, and the mosquitoes buzzing around the rich moisture.2

Then, some things changed.3

I'm not quite sure why I ran this time. Maybe over a fight with my mumsie, or something stupid like that. What I do know, is that it was a Saturday, at late afternoon, in the beginning of the summer. My phone was dead in my pocket, so there were no usual texts to bother me. My tears rushed without my mouth uttering a sound, leaving small ripples in the fast-moving water.4

Then, a bigger ripple came from the side opposite the park.5

At first I figured it was just some muskrat, frightened by the tapping of my fingers against the rough bark, but then there was a rustling of the bushes. I cocked my head to look to the side, and sliding into the bushes was a pale hand with sparkly blue nail polish.6

I wiped the tears from my face, took a deep breath, and slowly slid over there as to not frighten my watcher.7

Or at least, that was the plan.8

I tumbled the few short feet from the branch into the creek, my expression no doubt unimpressed.9

Creek water soaked my clothes. Of course, the one day I wore a white shirt and a skirt. Of course.10

Flailing in the water, I barely noticed that same hand from earlier grab mine, and pull me up.11

"Are you okay...?" the person, a girl's somewhat hushed tone actually sounding... worried. Hadn't heard that tone in a while.12

"Y-yes..." I said shivering, the cold water of spring's snowmelt chilling my bones to the core.13

She stared for a moment, tilting her thin face to the side, before pulling off her brightly-colored hoodie and handing it to me. "Here, warm up."14

I took the garment gladly, and found my hand being pulled to the water's edge. Then, the girl led me to the park and into the warm sunny field.15

"Th-thanks, uhh...?" I began, before she cut me off.16

"Alexis, my name is Alexis. But most people call me Lexxi." She paused. "That's with two x's!"17

I smiled. "Thanks, Lexxi with two x's. My name's Adrienne. But you can call me Adri."18

"With two Dri's, right Dridri?" she exclaimed, already comfortable.19

Laughing, I nodded.20

So that's how I became Dridri.