Elysium

o c h o

Sitting by the lake on a Friday evening in a field filled with dandelions is so serene. The sky is a perfect mix of pink and orange as the sun is beginning to set. The reflection on the water is breathtaking. I'm trying to sort all my thoughts before Everson gets here and I explode and just let everything out. That would be horrible if I did that.

Watching the geese swim while I compare them to somewhat having a better life than me. I mean come on now who wouldn't want to be a goose in their next life? The laws are on their side, you can't even hit them with a car. I feel like deep down they know that because they always cross the street at the wrong time. It's not even like they walk across fast, nope they take their sweet time getting across the street. Just one goose after another in a single file line.

"Sorry I'm late, nice blanket." Everson plops down next to me on my old tattered Winnie the Pooh picnic blanket. I was gifted it when I was younger from my grandma, she loved Winnie the Pooh just as much as my mom and I do. I've tried to keep it looking brand new but sadly failed. I lift the corner of the blanket and twiddle it between my fingers, so many memories this one blanket holds.

"This is a pretty nice spot you got here." I watch as he takes in the view around him while brushing his fingers lightly against that dandelions. Even in a field of dandelions I don't think I've ever taken one and blew it to make a wish. I'm not even sure if I believe in wishes considering the fact of how my life is going right now.

"I use to come here a lot when I was in college." This lake has always been a place for me to come clear my head and just relax. Not many people know about it and I'm grateful for that because the natural beauty will stay the same and won't be destroyed.

There's a silence that follows after that tiny bit of conversation. I'm pretty sure Everson is giving me space and time to gather what I need to tell him. That's actually a really good trait he has. He doesn't ask any questions he just waits for me to speak. "Sorry for asking you to come here so late it's just Alani's graduation was earlier and we went out to lunch so I couldn't do anything earlier." I ramble.

He looks over at me and nudges me with his shoulder, "it's not that late besides who would want to miss this sunset?" He leans back on his arms, "How was the graduation?"

"It was really nice, she's worked so hard to get her degree." I can't help but to be so happy for her because she literally deserves everything. She isn't just my little sister she's one of my best friends and partner in crime. I can count on her for anything just like she can count on me for anything.

"You both talk about each other with such love towards one another, kinda makes me wish I had a sibling." I forgot he knew Alani before he knew me, they must talk a lot. Wait, what if he has a crush on her? They would make a cute couple, hmm maybe I could set them up.

"I couldn't imagine being the only child, a lot of my best memories include my sister." Just thinking of all the things we did growing up I wouldn't trade it for the world, siblings are life long best friends. "Everson?" It's now or never.

"Everly?"

"You know about my dating situation but I've never asked you about yours. Do you have a girlfriend?" I take a couple seconds before adding, "or boyfriend? No judgement." He looks at me and starts laughing.

"What's so funny?" I ask.

"You." He continues to laugh, "I don't have a girlfriend since you're wondering."

"So you have a boyfriend?" I say slowly on the word boyfriend and he chuckles, "nope no boyfriend either."

"I'm straight by the way." He laughs as my cheeks turn red from embarrassment.