The Girl Who Saved Me [Original]

Chapter One

They say you waste away eventually without love.

What is "love"? I have it, don't I?

I asked myself these ridiculous questions in my head,

But soon realized something.

        "Am I going to die alone, Sal?" My big brother turned my way curiously. We were sitting next to each other on the living room couch. His big green eyes expressed his confusion. Was he waiting for me to explain?

        A moment after he sighed. "What do you have going on in that small head of yours?" He ruffled my hair playfully, but it hurt. I let out plenty of ouches for him to stop. His hand returned to the tv remote in his lap. His slight grin disappeared as he turned back to the television screen.

What... Is that it?

        The crackling flames from the fireplace banished complete silence. It was pitch black outside the large windows behind us. Our family's flat tv hanging just above the fire was the only source of bright light in the room. The hallway light to my left was too dim to even notice it was on. My eyelids fell about halfway down my eyes, for I didn't want that to be the end. I opened my mouth just a bit to ask another question, but he heard my inhale and spoke himself.

        "I had questions too." I blinked and then froze. My blue 'n yellow eyes were locked onto the back of his head. He had natural brown hair like me but it was slightly longer. It looked smoother than mine though. That had always caught my jealousy... Then, and for some reason, he chuckled. Sal looked back at me with a big smile. "You're worried about what Ma said at dinner, aren't ya?"

        My eyes glimmered as I closed my mouth shut and nodded eagerly. Finally he took it seriously! He chuckled again now showing his straight white teeth. He said four words that fluttered my mind from then on. "Someone will save you." I sat there for a few seconds. My lips were parted as I mumbled a huh.

Save me? Does he mean a girl will lift me off my feet to save me from the fire breathing dragon? The legend Mom always told me before bedtime when I was even younger. But wait, I'm supposed to be the knight in shining armor! 

        Sal continued. "Mom saved me on my first birthday." His broad shoulders lifted, and his eyes shut when he looked upwards. "I was a lucky kid." I felt an itch on the back of my neck. I looked away disappointed with my hands crossed. I knew he didn't understand my question from the start.

        Sal always talks about Mom like that. Like she was his Savior. I turned back and he still had a smile on. He was staring at the ceiling like it was the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. That's the same look he gives when he looks at Mom.

        I remember one day when I was in first grade we were preparing plates for dinner. Me and Sal made sure the plates were as clear as glass. Setting them on the table was a fun struggle— We didn't have a stool at the time and my little self couldn't reach the top of the dining table. He told me to consider it as if it were a wild adventure.

        My goal was to reach the top of the mountain. All I needed to do was set three white frisbees on top and secure them. It sounds dumb now, but boy did I have fun going along with it. No matter what it was that guy made everything fun in my early childhood. With all the determination built up inside of me I tried, but couldn't reach it even with the thick sandals he let me borrow.

        "Hey," Then came another idea from Sal. "Remember that game we used to play?" He slapped his hands on his bare knees indicating the start of the game. He was wearing basketball shorts and my younger self wanted to be just like him.. So I was wearing mini ones too. "You would climb on top of me to reach the basketball hoop. Do you remember what I did with my feet?"