Ghost Towns

She was teaching him to bounce stones on water.

“So you throw the stone like you want to slit water, okay?” She threw a stone and it bounced thrice before sinking.

“See?” She looked around. He was not next to her.

He was sitting a little farther leaning on a rock, reading.

She went and sat next to him. “I was teaching you how to bounce stones, remember?” She frowned.

“Yes, but then after you did it yourself 6 times, I kinda lost interest.”

She frowned again.

She slept on the banks of the river and stared at the sun. And smiled.

“The sun just washes me with happiness and the sounds of water make me happy too.”

“Lots of chocolate makes you happy, too. Doesn’t mean you eat all you want!” He mocked her.

Ignoring him, she went on, “Then why do we live away from this? Why build stupid buildings?” She asked, more to the sky than him.

“I don’t think buildings are stupid. Have you ever visited the old police station? I went there with my father. It has these old pictures of criminals and bravery awards on a mantle. Really interesting.”

“Hm. So buildings are nice when they are old, eh?”

“No, idiot. Buildings are nice if they have memories in them. The older they are, the more memories. The more the walls have seen, the more stories they tell.” He said, sounding like a wise poet.

She looked at him as if she was examining his wisdom.

“So old buildings with lots of sun and a river nearby and some trees too. Sounds perfect, no?”

“No. You just described a ghost town. You need people always.”

“I don’t particularly like people.” She said sitting up.

“Me neither.” He smiled.

Stomachs

The bell rang.

He stared at her as she passed. Oh god, she was beautiful.

“Ahem.”

“What took you so long?” He frowned. She had seen him stare at Anya.

“Anya is nice. And pretty.” She smiled wide.

They started walking home.

“So?” He shrugged.

“So nothing. She would gracefully accept if someone liked her.” She continued beaming.

“She is nice. Isn't she?” He finally gave in. “And so intelligent.” He continued.

“So tell her.” She said.

“But, she is Anya. I mean, I am not even friends with her. I am friends with no girl but you.”

“Hm.” She was deep in thought.

“I cannot just ask her out. How do I tell her she is brilliant?”

“Beat her at a test.” She said. She bought an ice cream candy, sat down on the bench near the street and started licking it.

“What? But she is smart. She tops them all.”

“Exactly. Beat her at a test. She will notice you. Maybe even talk to you. Then you can offer to teach or something. I don’t know.”

“Shit. This is so hard.” He sighed and sat down next to her. “I feel like my stomach is a churning machine when she passes. She is just so fabulous, you know. I want to talk to her all day.”

“Kids and love is charming to watch.” She laughed.

“You are 14, too.”

“And not in love.” She beamed.

“The ones who resist the most, are the ones that fall the hardest. My dad said.” He said giving her a smirk.

“We will see about that.”

“We indeed will.”

And as he ran past her stealing her candy, she realized what he meant. Sigh, her stomach churned.