"Esme! Do you have the laundry hung yet? I don't want you running off until it's done!" yelled my mother.
Shoot. I forgot about that. I tripped back up to the house to grab the last basket and some clothespins.
As I walked outside, I noticed the weather. It was warm and windy. The sun was almost set. I felt the last of the heat on my face. Glancing down at my feet, I could see the dirt between my toes. I had been barefoot all day. For some reason, I like the feel of it.
Living outside of Columbus was tough at times. The only people I really had around were my sisters and our parents. My father was always farming, and he didn't come home until late. Mother was always busy with the housework and making sure us girls did what we were told.
Unfortunately, as most 16-year-olds, I became distracted during my task of hanging the laundry.
"Hey! Esme! We're gonna go down to the creek! Coming?" yelled my sisters, running past the clothesline, waving at me.
"Of course!" I dropped the basket and ran with them.
We snuck down the ravine by the road next to our house. It was a little muddy, but we'd done it before. It was nothing new.
"Are you ready to tackle the big oak again, Esme?" said Charlotte, my oldest sibling. As the most daring, she tried to get me to do anything and everything.
I slid up the first part with ease, as my bare feet scrambled against the bark to grab on to the next branch.
I could feel myself falling. My leg caught the ground wrong, and I slid down into the ravine. Pain succumbed my vision and I let go.
Dr. Cullen felt gently along my leg. I braced myself. It hurt worse than most pain I've ever felt.
"Climbing trees? I've seen this many a time this summer. It's nothing to be worried about."
I felt his fingers graze my skin. He was very careful with my broken limb. I reveled in the touch.
Even in all this pain, I felt happy. I looked at Dr. Cullen for a long time. He was so focused in what he was doing. Chills ran down my back. He really cared about me.
His eyes locked with mine. I didn't falter. He was gorgeous. Quickly, he turned away. I noticed his blue eyes the most.
But I also noticed the way he walked. The way he moved his arms when he talked. The way he said certain words. It was hypnotizing.
"It will be swollen for a while, and you should rest for at least 4 weeks. No moving the leg unless absolutely necessary. Try to get some of your sisters to do the work for you." He chuckled.
His smile sparkled with his perfect teeth. I just stared.
As he left the room, I felt something inside of me hurt. Just a little. He made me feel safe. It sounds ridiculous. I'd only just met him, and he wasn't here for very long.
I wanted to see him again. But I knew I never would.