Last Excerpt Until Release!

I promised on my last post about my release date, that if I got over 100 pages views that I would upload one last, longer book excerpt. I got more than 100 views, so here it is! I hope you like it. This is one of the earlier scenes in the book, but I love it. I hope you all like it!

My body instantly takes me where I want to go. The gazebo looks at the same as it had years ago. The park is covered in trees, so the gazebo blends in with its surroundings. It is old and wooden; its brown coloring fading with age. Vines wrap around all eight posts and small twinkling lights wrap around the top, illuminating the whole structure. It almost has a magical feeling to it.

I walk up the small stairs and brush my hands across the old wooden façade. You can tell that no one comes out here anymore. The gazebo looks neglected. I brush away some dirt from the ground and sit down. Leaning my head back against the post and getting lost in my thoughts, I let a few tears fall--the first tears I’ve cried in over a year. This place reminds me of her.

I close my eyes, pull my knees up my chest, and rest my head against them. With my eyes closed, I just listen to my surroundings.  All around me, I can hear the sound of the light rain hitting the top of the gazebo and the subtle breeze rustling the leaves against each other. In my mind, I can imagine them communicating with each other in this manner; their slight touch creating whispers in the wind. On this early summer day, I can hear the crickets chirping somewhere in the distance. Every now and then, the sound of a car driving by can be heard. The road is far enough away that it’s not disturbing to the woodsy atmosphere.

“Are you okay?” I jump, not expecting anyone to find me here. I didn’t think anyone knew where this was for this was my secret place. I look over and see Colton staring at me with concern in his eyes.

I quickly wipe my tears away, “I’m fine.”

He walks into the gazebo and sits his large frame across from me. He looks awkward; it is almost comical. The gazebo is meant for children and his six foot frame barely fits under it. I would have laughed if my mind wasn't elsewhere. He shakes of the rain from his jacket and takes his hood off. His hair is messy, but on him it’s a good look. Running a hand through his hair, he attempts to fix it.

“You don’t look fine.” I just stare at him. I barely know this guy. The first time I ever met him was at the bookstore last weekend.

“I’ll be fine.”

“This isn’t about what happened at the library, is it?”

I wrap my arms around my legs and look in the distance. He’s perceptive, I’ll give him that. “No, I’m used to that.” I pause and look down, avoiding eye contact. “My mom and I used to come here when I was a kid,” I whisper. 

“I’m sorry about your mom.”

“I don’t want your sympathy, Colton. I can’t take it anymore. Everyone treats me like I’m so fragile; like I’m made of glass and am going to break at any second.”

He continues to stare at me, expressionless. I can’t decipher what he is thinking about, but that doesn't matter because he speaks up after a few seconds. “I understand what you're going through. I lost my parents too. I live with my aunt and brother. You've met her. She owns the bookstore.”

“Oh.” I wasn’t expecting that, so I’m not sure how to respond. He won’t stop looking at me and his incessant staring is starting to bother me. I begin to fidget under his gaze; my thoughts turning into mush. I can’t concentrate or think straight. I know that my face is slowly turning a deeper shade of red, but I’m hoping that it isn’t as obvious under the dim illumination. “Stop looking at me like that.”

With a small laugh he replies, “Like what?”

“I don’t know,” I point at him. “Like that; like you’re doing right now.”

He starts laughing--its a pleasant laugh that sends my stomach into a fit of butterflies. I just met this guy, I shouldn’t be reacting like this already. “Ok, I won’t look at you.” 

“Thank you.” At that moment, my phone beeps. Thankful for the distraction, I open the text. It is a message from Jane: Going over to Ross’s for the night. You have the house to yourself. Good luck on your finals tomorrow! I frown. Alone again.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I have to go.” I get up and walk out from under the gazebo. Then remembering what he did earlier, I stop. “Thanks for helping me in the library, Colton.” I turn back around and run down the path towards the car, trying to avoid the steady rain.

I feel his eyes on me the entire time.

Thoughts? One week until release date!

That's all I have for today. Until next time!

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