Flames 6,7 and 8

I see him walking in the hall. His face stands out as if I am meant to see it. This new boy is tall yet, he doesn't appear to be. His lanky arms swaying in an even rhythm with his steps. He gives me chills but I cant look away, even with Robert standing next me. Unaware of the fact that my eyes are no longer glued to his. I resist the urge to run to this new face and explore the possibilities.
I keep seeing him everywhere yet we share no classes. I wonder if he is real and not some undying hope deeply embedded into my brain. I secretly hope for the latter because if he is real then there is no chance left for me. Even while I am not supposed to notice him, I do. What is the matter with me?
What he represents means everything, yet I cannot shrug off the feeling that if I go to him my world will collapse, and any hope of a world that doesn't change will be shattered like a mirror into a million shiny pieces that will be spread across the land by the wind. I just can't have it happen again.
Now even Robert has begin to notice the absent stare. Maybe he knows about him, or maybe he fears I descending into a private world of which he cannot save me. Personally I can't even tell anymore. I would rather have my numb world where things aren't too real. And all that I have discovered here now will go away leaving me hollow hearted with a empty stare.1

“Robert, Why?” I cry out.
“Mia, don't cry its only for the summer,” he speaks in a whisper trying to pacify my pain.
“I need you, please don't leave me.” He is leaving with his family to visit relatives in California. The whole summer he will be gone, I cant cope. Without Robert I doubt I will be able to deny my need to run to the new boy whose name I've learned is Ashton.
“I have to go Mia. I'll call you okay?”
I stare downward as he leaves. My eyes overflow with tears, turning red from the pain. Sitting down I feel empty, and rock back in forth in the fetal position.
I sit there for a time pondering my fragile existence. Hoping for some unforeseeable act of nature to end it all. I have begun to see the bright side in life only to have it ripped from me. Just as when my family was stolen from me by the fire, I ache and cry.
Suddenly the phone rings, and I know I must gather my self together if I will be able to answer it. Standing slowly as to not shake my confidence I walk towards the phone. It's insistent ringing is shrill and nauseating. Just as the phone is about to cease, I reach it. Using the voice I use for adults, I answer.
“Hello, who is this?”
“Um is Mia there?” the voice on the phone asks
“Perhaps, but who may I say is calling?
“Ashton Swift”
My heart stops. Could it be true? Returning my voice to its normal vocation, I whisper, “Hi Ashton, this is Mia.”
“Uh, hey Mia I didn't recognize your voice. I was wondering if you have any plans this summer.”
“Well, nothing in particular. Why do you ask?”
“Um my church is having a camp, and I need someone to come with me. Its no big deal, just a day camp. Do you know if you can make it?”
“Well, I will have to check with my aunt and uncle, but it is definitely probable that I can make it. When is the date?”
“Its July 13th”
“Okay, I'll go check.” 2

My mind is aflutter. Do I dare accept his invitation? Aunt Jenny would love to see me leave the house for something other than school and spend time with Robert. And seeing that she is a church going person, she would defiantly approve of such.
I go to my aunt and uncles room, to find Aunt Jenny Sitting on her king size bed watching the weather channel. Softly, I knock on the door's frame. Looking up and to the left she sees me, standing there with a hopeful look upon my face.
“Aunt Jenny,” I say before i can stop myself, “Do you think it would be alright if I were to go to a church camp of a friend of mine Ashton?”
“It depends Mia sweetheart. Do I know Ashton or his parents?”
I'm afraid not Aunt Jenny. He moved to Wesley half way through the school year last year.”
“Well if you think it is a good idea then as do I.”