Out of Breath by Blair Richmond

Author:Blair Richmond [Richmond, Blair]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Paranormal, Thriller, Young Adult
Publisher: Ashland Creek Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

David is in the back room of the store, staring at a computer screen. I watch him from the doorway. I can tell his mind is wandering; he’s been spending more and more time these days staring at nothing, lost within himself. But he has plenty to keep him busy: working, seeing friends, being invited over for dinner. He’s got a lot of support, but I still hate to see him so lost. I know it will pass, eventually, but it makes me feel sad, and guilty. And I know we have to keep him going, to keep pulling him out of the darkness.

I tap softly on the doorjamb, and he turns around. “Are you coming to the parade?” I ask.

He turns back to his computer. “Stacey used to drag me to it. She always made me wear a costume. I didn’t have a chance to get one this year.”

“Let me drag you this time. I don’t have a costume either.”

I haven’t told him about Roman’s party. I’m still not sure I’m going myself, even though I said I would. I feel strange about going to a party so soon after Stacey’s death, and I’m not sure about the costume either, though it’s the only thing I have to wear. I’m definitely not wearing it now, for the parade, when half of Lithia will probably recognize it from one of the plays.

David’s still sitting there, but he’s looking less uncertain than before. “No one’s going to buy shoes today,” I say. “It might be nice to get out for a while.”

He finally stands and shuts off the computer. I’ve already locked up the back, and we exit out the front. The parade is in full swing, moving down Main Street, past the store. We blend into the masses on the sidewalk, then find a little island near the square where we can stand and watch.

I can’t help but smile at all the girls in their princess dresses, pink and sparkling, waving magic wands in the air. They’re still at that age where they believe all their dreams can come true. I miss that age. You never get it back once it’s gone.

I look over at David, and he’s watching a group of boys in their Power Ranger suits. I’m guessing he’s thinking the same thing.

~

Because I don’t have a car and can’t afford a cab. Because when David invited me along for dinner with some friends after the parade, I told him I just wanted to take it easy tonight. Because I waited until the last minute to decide whether I was even going to go to this party—these are the reasons I find myself walking up the hill to Roman’s house on Highview. Hills, I should say. Very steep hills.

I can hear the party even before I crest the final hill and see the glow of lights from the castle. The deep bass of a song I’ve never heard rumbles through the neighborhood. I hope he’s invited all his neighbors or that they’re all out of town.

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