cosmo

1 | one

She enjoyed lunch. It was her escape from loud noise and the bustling of the crowded hall. She spent it perched on a high thick branch of a tree a couple of feet into the forestry surrounding the school she attended. She sat with her sketchbook and pencil, sketching anything she wanted to put on paper and—of course—she had her trusty packet of sour strips in her pocket. Usually lunch was just her and the nature around her.

That's the same situation she had expected that Wednesday afternoon. Taking a bite out of her sour strip she heard loud rustling in the distance and froze.

"Son of a bitch!" A deep voice groaned and came into view rubbing his cheek. She frowned staring at the new face with confusion. No one ever came into this part of the forest; usually they'd go in the part behind the oval. This boy wore a khakis jacket, white shirt and denim jeans. His black hair was shaved at the side and styled back into a quiff whilst he also sported a pierced nose.

He walked passed the tree, pulling out a cigarette and lit it. She stared with interest as he blew out a large puff of smoke as he left her sight. Her gaze remained on the spot he left as she took another slow bite of her sour strip. She turned back to her page and stared at her sketch of clasped hands holding a crucifix. She turned the page, instantly finding a new source of inspiration.

"Holy shit!" The deep voice exclaimed. She frowned and looked down to find him staring back at her. Her eyes widened as she realised this mysterious boy was the first person that had ever seen her in the tree. She wanted to say something to justify herself, but her mouth closed as she scolded herself. She didn't need to justify why she was in a tree contently drawing. They continued to stare at each other, half out of shock and the other half out of interest.

"What the hell are you doing in a tree?" He asked, looking up at her, his cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. To him, she was really high up. In that moment she couldn't find her voice as she blinked at him. "Do you speak English?" She frowned with confusion.

"Yes, what gave you the impression that I didn't?" She snapped. His brow rose.

"You were just blinking, I don't know sign language. Say, you didn't answer my question about being in the tree. It's creepy" He informed her, taking a drag of his cigarette. She rolled her eyes.

"I'm sketching. Plus, there is no one around so why am I considered creepy for sitting on a branch?" She asked with confusion as she leaned back against the trunk with irritation building in her veins. Who did this guy, whom she had never seen around before, think he was? To her amazement he snickered.

"I'm around," He reminded her, she ignored him and took another bite of her sour strip, "Are you a tree-hugger?"

"Are you a drug addict?" She muttered. Irritably, he heard her.

"I wouldn't say an addict...so are you?" She ignored him. "Hey, Cosmo chic, are you?" She sighed and looked down at him.

"No," She deadpanned, "I enjoy the silence, satisfied?" He shrugged; glad she was too high and interested in her book to see the corners of his lips twitching upwards into a smile from amusement.

"Can I see your book?"

"No."

"Fine."

"Good" She rolled her eyes and hoped that this was a one-time thing.

"One day, Cosmo, one day." She narrowed her eyes at her sketch with confusion of his words and struggled to stop herself from looking down at him to see his expression. She didn't, thank goodness; otherwise the capturing emotion in his eyes would have swayed her.