|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:33 pm
Lauren Blake
"Well bravery is one of those subjective things. No two people can ever truly agree." I stood with a sigh, balancing the jars in my arms. They clinked together loudly and i held my breath as i inspected them. No cracks. I closed the back door and began walking. The dry sandy ground made scrunching sounds under my feet, the crisp grasses giving way. The sky was bathed in the low sunset. It was a magnificent sight, but of course, I knew one better. "Don't get me wrong, I'm sure this won't be better than your modern video games, but it is fun." I looked back at him and he was close on my heel. His fast pace footfalls made me think that maybe he was looking forward to this.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:53 pm
Todd Wells
Just being outside walking on the bare earth and in the fresh air had already lifted my spirits signifiently. I had to be honest with myself that I didn't get out as much as I should and even when I did go on a walk I was surrounded by concrete and buildings most of the time. My whole attitude seemed to change in this new scenery. I felt more comfortable around this man then before. "Are you so sure?" I tried to hide a smirk as I said that. "You assume too much about me, and besides I find your infatuation with fireflies to be very...." I paused thinking of the best way to word what was on my mind. "...Unique." I smiled. "I don't see things like this often enough." I spoke a bit quieter now as I examined the fireflies in the jar once more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:31 pm
Lauren Blake
"Please accept my apology; I don't mean to assume anything about you." I walked on and soon the edge of the forest was in our reach. I could see some of them wheezing in and out of the trees and branches. I opened both jars and set them on the ground at my feet, then entered into the trees. It was dark beyond, but I had no mind of going any farther in anyway; at least not tonight. "The darker it gets, the easier it is to see them." I said taking a seat on the fallen leaves on the forest floor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:08 am
Todd Wells
"Its ok, really it is..." I rubbed the back of my neck with embaraessment as I held the jar with my other hand. I didn't mean for him to take what I said so seriously. I followed quietly after that as I looked towards the horizon. The sun had compeletly disappeared and all that was left was a few sun rays that glowed with a last bit of brilliants. It occured to me where we were going now as we came to the edge of the trees where the forest started. I noticed a few twinkles of light here and there in the distance and it added to the mystery of this forest. I looked down in confusion at the two jars he had set on the ground and followed him silently. I wanted to explore deeper into the forest but Lauren stopped shortly after and took a seat on the ground. I sat the glowing jar down carefully so it wouldn't fall and then stayed standing for a bit longer stretching my arms forward. Was I already getting sleepy? I sat down next to him afterwards. I propped one knee up close to me and wrapped my arms around it. I leaned in to rest my chin on my knee and listened to the rustle of leaves in the soft breeze. "Have you ever gotten lost in this place." I asked suddenly without looking at him. I suppose he might of taken that has a stupid question but to me I liked the idea of losing myself in something . I loved to find ways to escape from my reality but there was always a draw back to this kind of thinking. I came off as impractical to others when I did that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 6:49 pm
Lauren Blake
"Most of the time I do. Usually that's the whole reason why I come." I smiled at him when I answered. "Maybe you would like to get lost too?" I asked the question because I valued the answer. It would tell a lot about him, I suppose. A boy who breathes and sleeps the city, wanting to get lost in the woods of the middle of nowhere. I was aware of every sound in the vicinity of our square patch of forest, from the croke of the frogs to the sparkle of the lightning bugs brave enough to come near, but my eyes remained on him. Not an overly intense gaze but, you are suppose to keep eye contact when you talk right?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:37 pm
Todd Wells
I smiled slightly as my eyes continued to linger off deep in the distance. I figured we both had our reasons for wishing to shove our cruel realities aside and it was one of those slient understandings between us. No words necessary. At least that was what I assumed. "Yes, very much so..." I said softly. "...its the only way I can stay sane." My voice quivered. Everything was so quiet and the serenity of it all cleared my mind. I felt a huge weight lift off of me as I sighed. I hoped my eyes didn't start to water. I turned my head to the side still letting it sit on my knee as my eyes met his gaze. I didn't lower my eyes this time like I often did before.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 5:41 pm
Lauren Blake
I was the first to look away. The look in his eyes were raw, and I didn't think it would be fair of me to dissect him. Too close to invasion of privacy. My eyes rested on the jar that he had carried over. "Open your jar." I said. "The fireflies within them need to return home." The piano instructor. I played the title over and over in my head to fill the silence. I've never been good at teaching; i lost my patience entirely too fast. I looked at him again and wondered if I would loose my patience with him too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:19 pm
Todd Wells
I didn't know why I held the gaze, maybe I was looking for something in his eyes, but what? It was beyond my own understanding. Sometimes I just didn't think I knew myself. I followed his gaze to the jar as he spoke. "Yes of course." I opened it obediently. The fireflies floated out immedietly after the lid came off. My eyes were fixed on them in wonder and there was even one in particular that I took a liking to as I followed it with my eyes. I looked at Lauren for a split second, like a 'are you seeing this?' type of a gesture and looked back my eyes beaming now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 7:43 pm
Lauren Blake
A small smile crossed my face. He was actually enjoying this peace like I was. It wasn't my place to say, but I wanted to invite him to take some to his room. Maybe if he had trouble sleeping...no, it wasn't my place to say. I kept my eyes trained on the fireflies, none in particular. They had become one being to me until their individual lights became one large glow. There was't many of them tonight, the weather was too humid. Around fall, when the air was more crisp, their numbers would increase. As we sat in our contemplative silence, some of the critters began to flow in and out of the jars that I had set down. I stood and went to the group, holding the jar up. The ones in it flew out and floated just above my head. I held the jar up and followed them slowly. "Now it's time to hunt." I said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 12:37 am
Todd Wells
I reached my hand out to one that ventured closer to me. I didn't expect it to land on my fingers or even come any closer, but I was curious to see if it felt as warm and fluttery as it appeared. I let my teacher walk away without moving from my spot. I felt like a lost puppy always following him around but He understood why right? I stood up and brushed some dust and leaves off my pants as i turned towards him with the empty jar in my hands. I watched as the glowing insects floated around him and then I wondered if this was the first time that he'd ever exposed someone else to this paradise. I looked away from him and peered up towards the sky. Fireflies were hovering around from above me also. I tried to capture some with a light swoop of my jar but they avoided me easily. I chuckled to myself feeling a little clueless as I looked back at him. "Is there a technique to hunting fireflies?" I asked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:13 pm
Lauren Blake
I watched him and couldn't help my smile. "There's no technique, this isn't basketball." I teased. "Just let them come in, don't charge." I followed the group before me and held the jar directly below them, moving at the same speed as they were. They drifted in and out of it and finally settled enough for me to bring the jar down and close the lid. They glowed together like a lantern, making it hard to tell them apart. I looked up at him. "Give it another try."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:47 pm
Todd Wells
My eyebrow twitched as I pouted at him jokingly. "Mm, do I really seem like the kind of guy that plays basketball?" I watched as he followed them slowly and some would float in and out of the jar. I looked back at the fireflies before me and lifted my arm steadily, hovering my finger underneath one of them. I was able to get close enough to poke it gently and blinked in light surprise. It tickled my finger. I used my jar now and mimiced my teacher. I caught about 4 of the little bugs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 1:47 pm
Lauren Blake
I leaned against a tree as I watched my pupil. I hoped that piano lessons would go this well. I felt suddenly the urge to say, Good job, that was excellent. But i'm sure those weren't due yet. With my jar hugged to one side, I picked up the other empty one and walked back to the edge of the forest. It was quite dark now and the lightening bugs were almost as good as flashlights. "Feel free to come here whenever you want; it's a good place to collect yourself." God knows I've done that same thing many times before. I began walking, heading to the house and turned back to him. "Are you ready to return?" I asked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:21 pm
(Alright, so I finally figured out what the gift contains. I'm going with homemade fig cookies made by Todd's mom. Homemade fig cookies are amazing smile I'm cool with changing it though if you like)
Todd Wells
"Yes, I can see why." I walked over to stand next to him. I wanted to stay a little longer but I didn't want to be rude by making him stand and wait around for me. I stared back into the darkness of the forest before looking back at my teacher. I smiled with slight timidness. "Thank you for showing me this Lauren." I said genuinely as I looked down at my jar. I found myself gazing at the fireflies every chance I got. I never lost my interest watching them flutter around like little spirits. My eyes were drooping slightly as I grew sleepy. I felt a sense of peace that I hadn't experienced for a while, so it was only natural that I wanted to express some gratitude towards this man.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:42 pm
Lauren Blake
"You're welcome." I said and began walking down the path. After all this was his home too for now. The glow of our jars lit the way as we walked back to the house. I opened the door and turned on the patio doors, then took off the boots and padded barefoot inside. "You still haven't eaten anything. If you don't like what I have here, feel free to order out, but it might take them a while to get here." I turned on the lights as I entered the kitchen and living room and climbed upstairs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
