The garden

The sounds of chirping birds and rustling breeze formed a melody in her ear and the serene view of the garden kept her mind at peace. Heaving a sigh, she stood up and grabbed her bag, about to exit the place, her eyes casted on a figure sitting comfortably on a bench at the other side of the garden. He was wearing a hoodie, and on his face was a pair of eyeglasses. He was completely drawn to whatever book was on his hands.

Indie's eyebrows raised a little as realization struck her. It was the guy the other day, she could remember. He must be so lonely, she thought. Taking a deep breath with closed fist, she exhaled, finally making up her mind, something she had never done before, nor had intended to do. She walked closer to the guy. Seeing how lost he was in whatever he was reading, to the extent that he didn't sense a presence around him, Indie cleared her throat, with that, the guy startled.

Jackie was so absorbed in his readings, when he heard someone cleared a throat, which distracted him, nearly freeing his soul from his body. Staring at the elegant figure before him, his eyes widened in shock which went unnoticed to the other party due to the reflection on his rectangular eyeglasses. Was he that drawn to his book that he wasn't able to sensing her approaching him?

"Hi" She waved at him with a delightful smile. Oh God, her voice…

Jackie was still captivated in his world, completely trapped staring at the beauty before him, someone he'd never expected to stand before him, talk more of talking to him. Wait… Was he dreaming? He blinked his eyes repeatedly to ensure he wasn't hallucinating.

"Hey, are you alright?" Came again her voice, which drove him out of his world.

"Hey" His voice quivered. They stared at each other for some time, contemplating on the next words suitable for the tense atmosphere.

"My name is Indie" She extended her hand for a shake, Jackie hesitated for a while before clasping his hand in response.

"My, mine is Jackie" He stood up.

 Wow! he was quite tall, thought Indie.

"Nice… meeting you" Indie creased her smile.

"I'm super glad" Jackie's lips curled into a tiny smile.

They remained standing for some time, which to Jackie, it seemed like an eternity.

"How are you feeling?" She asked with a concerned look.

What would have brought up this sudden question?... He almost forgot she saw him the other day he was collecting beatings from those guys.

"Umm, feeling fine" He answered, tipping on his eyeglasses to fit well on his high nose bridge while dropping his gaze down, as the waves of embarrassment and nerves washed down on him. The girl he was crushing on... saw him being bullied, talking of that girl, she was the person standing right in front of him. The bruises caused by those folks, were still grinning on his face, and he could tell, that was what she saw.

"I see... so... why are you here all alone"

"Reading" Answered Jackie with a tiny smile.

Indie nodded, her eyes still glued on Jackie, as if trying to see through him. Why was she feeling too concerned for this guy? He wasn't even the first person she had encountered being bullied; She'd seen many cases like him, so why him, why was his different? Was it because Tom was involved? She'd never seen Tom assault anymore. Was it why she reacted when she saw him in the act, that day or was it something entirely different?

"So… may I ask, what are you doing here all alone?" He asked darting his eyes behind Indie, doubting the fact that she wasn't with someone at that the moment. He hadn't seen her alone since he had come to notice her, it was unbelievable that she was alone today, especially at this lonely and quite place.

"I just wanted to have a lone time, you know it isn't less of a stress engaging in daily school activities. Sometimes being alone in a lonely place like this place, is essential, especially for one's mental health" Indie stated, leaving a warm smile to complete the rest.

"Mm… you are right" Affirmed Jackie with a nod, their eyes met, abruptly Jackie withdrew he's. Why was he feeling this way, why did he find it uneasy looking at the girl in the eyes?

Indie who was giving him a deep stare, noticed his movement. Wait… Was he shy? She was about to burst into a verge of laughter, but she held it in no time. She had never seen a guy as shy as the one sitting right in front her. But what was he shy of? Her?

"You look cuter when you are shy" Indie blurted with a creased smile.

Jackie was dazed, he couldn't believe what he just heard. Was it something he should appreciate and be proud of, or something he should be ashamed of, why would he be the shy one instead of the girl? The thought that it could be true, got him sick. Trying to cover everything up, he defended "Shy?" He chuckled slightly "No I'm not shy. How can I?"

Indie chuckled seeing his amusing expression. This guy, it really was thrilling being around him.

Jackie was still contemplating on how to cope with the uneasy situation eluding him when heard Indie.

"What about your friend, I mean friends?" She grinned.

"Umm… I don't have friends"

"What!" Indie exclaimed.