Page 2 of Meet Me in the Valley
We don’t run in the same circles. But with most small towns, you know everyone. Even if you don’t. And tonight—I could really use a friend.
“So,” I start, “what are you escaping?”
Tia’s gaze fixes on the lake, surrounded by wild brush and untamed foliage. It’s kind of perfect. I can see she appreciates the beauty of this place, so it makes sharing it a little easier.
“You first.”
“Hmm, I don’t know. I was here first. So, you go.”
“Exactly. You were here first. Soyouget to go first.”
I don’t miss the playful lilt to her voice and the upturn of her mouth. We both laugh under our breath, and it’s actually…nice.
It’s nice to laugh with someone who doesn’t really know who I am. She doesn’t know what’s hurting me, what’s eating at me. I don’t worry about judgement or unsolicited advice. There’s a sort of ease between us. I know if I open up to her, it would be safe. It’s a strange trust fall, but I know in my bones I wouldn’t fall flat on my face.
“You know, we have an entire summer to escape,” I tell her, dragging this out a little longer.
Tia sighs. “No. We don’t.” Her face falls, and there’s a slight wobble in her chin. “I’m moving.”
Oh.
“Where?”
“Texas. Austin, to be exact.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
Damn.
“But that’s not what’s bothering me. It totally sucks, but that’s the least of it. I don’t think I can … I don’t think I want to …” she trails off. Whatever it is, she doesn’t want to share.
Tia leans back on her palms, staring up at the full moon as a tear falls. I have the urge to reach out and brush it away, but I don’t.
Tia’s eyes tell me she’s in pain. Something deeper is eating at her.
Just like me.
When our gazes lock, it’s almost like looking in a mirror. Two strangers. Two stories. Two hurting hearts.
It’s not my place to pry. And by the unspoken exchange between us, we’re not ready to spill our secrets just yet.
I look up at the moon with her when the roar of an airplane cuts through the night sky.
“Where do you think they’re going?” I quietly ask.
“What?”
“The plane. Where do you think they’re going?”
I watch her contemplate her answer as she swipes away the tear on her cheek. I’d like to think the ultimate escape is to hop on that plane and let it take us away. Far away. Away from problems that us sixteen-year-olds shouldn’t have to deal with. Whatever secrets we have could stay here at the bottom of Mr. Torren’s lake, and Tia and I could get on that plane and dream up a new place to be. Clean slate.
Maybe she’d like that. Maybe I would too.
“Hmm. I’d like to think somewhere out of the country. Like France,” she finally answers with a slight tilt to her lips. I smile at that.
“And who are they?”
