everybody’s sharing their writing so i might as well share some of mine

SleepinqZzz 11/8/2022 01:23 pm 154

It was moments such as these that Jack loved more than anything.

The rusting equipment of 246th Street’s park creaked quietly as Jack pushed April on the swings. He was humming lightly, and April’s eyes were shut. No doubt she was lost in thought. When he was alone with April; when they didn’t need words. But, they were still nice to have.

“Jack?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t want your dumb ass moved to remedial. I’ll miss you.”

“We have lunch and homeroom. And the baking club… and we live in the same neighbourhood. Not to mention church and camp counseling.” Jack's mouth perked at the ends with amusement as he continued.

“I know, I know,”

“So what’s wrong, shortstack?”

She shrugged.

“I know you’re worried,” He grabbed the chain of the swing to slow it to a halt, then looked down at her. His arm was resting on the chain of the swing and he looked into her aventurine eyes with a sympathetic frown. “I don’t know why, though.

“Freddie.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

“I don’t even want to think about that-” She laughed worriedly.

“Hey. Don’t sweat it, dummy. Bad for your skin.” April laughed at his teasing, and Jack beamed at her.

Her silvery laugh almost always lilted at the end, giving her an almost singsong tone. The only time it didn’t sound this way was when she was faking it. If something was especially funny, she would snort. Every time there was a humorous moment in his day, it reminded him of these facts.

Without even thinking, Jack hugged April from behind comfortingly. April tensed in surprise, then relaxed and laid back in his arms. Now they both shut their eyes and felt the heave and push of each other’s breathing. It was a moment they had shared many times before. This was always where Jack would notice the smell of apples and cinnamon in April’s soft, caramel-coloured hair. Well, her hair wasn’t only caramel. It was the colour of walnuts near the roots, then chocolate and caramel as it fell to her lower back. Her eyelashes were the same walnut brown as her roots.

There was a moment once when he pointed it out to her. She shook her head in disbelief as if he was messing with her. The same way you do when your sibling says there’s a spider on you.

“It’s just- brown… It’s the colour of mud. It’s nothing special, Jack.” She responded with a sad smile.

He opened his eyes and peered down at April; whose large eyes had already fluttered open and were staring at him. For a moment, in the sunlight, her eyes always reminded him of mint chocolate chip ice cream. They exchanged smiles, then broke eye contact when April pushed up her glasses. He noticed for the first time that she didn’t push them up from the bridge, but rather picked them up by the hinges and placed them back in their desired position.

It was moments such as these that Jack loved April Leslie Martin more than anything.