-Chapter 2-
Why Red?
Day 2
I blinked to wake, though I wasn't able to see anything. By now, my knuckles were fully healed. My wing was a different story on the other hand. I can't even fold it perfectly, giving me more of a risk of getting caught. That's just what I need… more attention than I already have. I groaned and got out of bed. I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed.
A sudden knock at my door caused me to jump.
"James? Are you alive in there? Come on, I need to get to the store." Autumn giggled a bit after she ended.
"Uh, yeah, I'll be out there in a minute." I assured her. If I could only see myself in the mirror to see how groggily I look. I eventually gave up and sulked out the door.
Autumn chuckled. "Good morning Sleeping Beauty."
I ginned ever so slightly. She lightly huffed and reached up to fix my hair. "Ugg, James, why do you have to be so tall?"
Much to my surprise, part of me wanted to tell it's because I'm part bird and I'm only 14 but I look much older. Part of me wanted to spit out "Hey Autumn, listen, I'm actually a winged freak that gives almost nothing but trouble to the people around me." I of course held myself back. It was foolish to think that I could ever do that. Even though our identities are less of a secret, that doesn't mean we're liked by everyone and that we don't have insecurities.
Once we reached the store, Autumn began reading off a list of groceries she needed.
"Milk, sugar, nutmeg, cooking oil, and a bunch of other stuff I don't understand so much about." she rambled on. "I was hoping to make cookies later and make… uh… what do you want for dinner?"
My stomach rumbled; I haven't eaten since lunch… yesterday. Even the mention of cookies made my mouth water, especially if they're anything like Dr. Martinez's. "Anything's fine with me."
"Oh hey boy, looky here! Reddie's gone shopping!" A boy hollered out. A few other boys joined in.
"Shut up Zack, I'm busy!" Autumn quickly countered. I was completely confused by this whole conversation.
"And look, she's with a boy! Ooo-oooo!" Zack hooted.
"Knock it off Zack! He's my friend, James." she snapped back. I froze up at the word. F-Friend?
The boys huffed. "Hmph! That's the only friend you can make! A blind kid! It's because he won't see how fucked up your arms and rejected body are!" My blood began to boil.
I softly heard one of them pull a can off a shelf. He chuckled to himself and then whipped the can at Autumn. As the rush of wind came by my sensitive ears, I shot my arm out and caught the can. Everyone gasped.
"Leave. Her. Alone." I seethed through my teeth.
"C'mon guys, let's get outta' here." And with that, they left.
"James…"
I set the can on the shelf next to me and frowned. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah, but how'd you do that so fast?" she questioned.
I ignored that question and continued on. "What did they mean by torn up arms?"
She hesitated. "I… I was in a plane crash a few years ago. My arms were burned really bad and I…"
"Stop, that's enough." I told her. I knew where to stop conversations like this, because of my own… personal experience.
"Can I?" I gestured to her arms. I wanted to see what all of this meant.
Very gently, I touched her forearms. My heart skipped a beat. The boys really weren't kidding! Her arm was a scorching red! I pulled my hand back. Her uneasiness filled the air.
"I'm so sorry about-" She cut me off.
"Don't be; I've been teased by them all the time. I'm used to it."
I bit my lip. "That doesn't make it right!" I then paused and clenched onto my extremely large shirt. "I've been bullied too… so we're on the same page." Neither of us talked after that. I closed my eyes and sighed.
The conversations didn't get any better when we got back to her house. I laid my head on the dinner table while Autumn mixed the batter for sugar cookies.
That would explain the scratches on her face. I thought, I guess we're both outcasts.
"… James?" Autumn called out, her voice signaling she's been trying to get me to respond for quite awhile.
"Uh, yeah?"
"Want to help me make the cookies?"
You know what? I could actually use something to cheer me up. I stood up and walked over to the kitchen counter. PLOP! I raised an eyebrow.
"Here's the dough. Go on, make some shapes. I already evened it out for you." Autumn said cheerfully.
I patted along the counter for a cookie cutter and grasped onto it. "Like this?" I placed it on the dough and pushed down.
"Perfect!"
And that's how it went for the rest of the night. We both made cookies, cracked jokes, and I actually… I actually felt I made a friend. No longer did I feel she was just a person that is housing me for a few days, but she felt like a warm, safe, and interesting person that really connects with me. I can't remember how long it's been hanging out like this with somebody (besides the Flock and a few others). She also made spaghetti for dinner while we were waiting for the cookies to bake. I just hope I room for the actual cookies considering how much dough I ate…
Now we were relaxing in the living room. We had the fireplace blasting, which is weird considering it was only September, but, Autumn likes to do things weird. That's what I like about her- I mean not that I like, like her but-. I sighed.
"James, stay still." She demanded softly.
I froze. "Why?"
"Because it's hard to draw you when you're moving." I heard the gentle scratches on paper.
"Why are you drawing me?" I crawled over to her and sat next to her. She sighed and set her pencil down.
"I've always liked art, but it really influenced me after my accident. You see, I've always participated in sports, but now I just get ridiculed. My arms get sore easily too. Playing sports isn't necessarily painful, but it tires me out fast. I draw… a lot."
"… What do you like to draw?" I asked her.
"People and places. They represent where you've been, where you want to go; they people you've meet, the memories all of these things hold."
"Then why are you drawing me?"
"... Because you're a person I want to remember, even after you leave. James…"
Author's Note: FINALLY! (Phew!) Sorry it took so long to update! I've been so busy! Thanks all loyal readers! Enjoy the story!
