A Different Sky

Jillian walked down the sidewalk quietly, not worrying about the puddles in the sidewalk. Instead she looked at the beautiful sky, wondering about all the secrets that it could hold. Suddenly, her gaze was adverted as she missed her step and stumbled slightly.

I hate these sidewalks, She thought, they're full of cracks! and mentally threw darts at them. But she knew she wasn't angered at the sidewalks, but at herself. There she was thinking about dreams again instead of making them.

Jillian had never been a talkative girl, and was always the shy one. For all of her 16 years she had never spoken when she wasn't called on in class and absolutely dreaded going up in front of the class. And speaking with a boy other than a teacher? Forget about it!

She adjusted her yellow raincoat slightly and tossed her long, brown hair over her shoulder. Her personality fit her looks perfectly. Brown hair, brown eyes, pale skin, and no chest to speak of.

Jillian looked out toward the sky again and took in its yellow tint. She always loved the sky on a stormy day. It was always so different during a storm, never the same way twice. In a way, she wanted to be like the sky during a storm.

"Different."

Jillian stopped in her tracks, her mouth open slightly with shock. Did she just say that aloud? Oh my god, did she just talk to herself? Jillian felt her cheeks flush and her eyes darted around. If someone saw or heard her just talk to herself she was going to crawl into the sewer drain right then and there.

After a few moments of searching she was satisfied that her slip-up had not been detected by anyone and started her walk again, with her head down. She could still feel her warm cheeks and before she knew it her thoughts had floated back to that one word she had uttered aloud.

Ah, to be different. To be able to raise a hand during class. Or speak in front of the class without wanting to throw up. Or to laugh aloud without blushing. Or...or to speak to a boy comfortably.

Jillian raised her eyes to the sky once again, marvelling at it's boldness. It doesn't care if it is yellow, blue, or gray. It does whatever it wants, why couldn't she?

If I could have one wish, it would be to be bold. To not blush every time I speak. To be...the person that I know I am on the inside.

Jillian allowed herself a small sigh before she continued on towards her home. She could wish all she wanted but nothing was going to come true.

She walked the rest of the way and was about to make the final turn onto her block. It would position her away from the sky that she loved so much and also away from her wish. She turned the corner and turned around right afterward, walking backward a few steps just to have one last fleeting look before it was gone.

"Hey!"

Jillian suddenly felt something in her path and she felt her balance swaying. She threw her arms out to her sides, windmilling them furiously, trying to stay upright. She teetered backward for a few moments before she was able to get her footing. Once she could stand she turned around to face what she had run into.

What she found was a guy her age, sprawled out on the sidewalk. Jillian felt herself gasp and a hand flew over her mouth. He managed to prop himself up on one elbow and look up at her with a glare.

"Why don't you watch where your going?"

Jillian felt the fire-red blush rush to her cheeks but she was too flustered to even notice. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" Quickly, she bent down and offered him a hand, hoisting him off the ground.

"I can't believe I ran into you!" She nervously wiped the brittle fallen leaves off him, a rainbow of colors from the recent fall change. "I wasn't paying attention, how could I be so stupid?!"

She managed to look into his eyes and instead of finding anger she saw that the corners were crinkled and they sparkled with laughter. "It's alright, I'm not injured. You can stop rubbing me down now too I dont think I have a leaf on me."

Jillian froze with shock as she realized that she had one hand on his shoulder while the other one rubbing his back. They were practically hugging, and she had been the one who went into the position! The blush intensified if it was even possible and she pulled herself away.

"I-I'm sorry! Uh, I feel so stupid! I just wanted to get one last look at the sky and I ended up running into you!" She put her hands over her face in a futile attempt to hide herself.

"Hey, it's ok." He laughed, "It is a beautiful sky I can understand why you didn't want to leave it."

Slowly, Jillian raised her eyes out of her palms. Her embarrasment was put to the side as she took in what he said. "Really? You like the sky today?"

"Oh yeah, I love the color of the sky after a storm. It's just so yellow it makes me feel like I'm in a different world." He gave her a kind smile. "Well, if was nice...er running into you, but I really have to get going."

Jillian winced as his words but managed to smile as he turned to leave. The way that he described the sky really touched her, it was so perfect and so true. It was just what she had always thought, and she had never even considered that someone would think the same way.

She watched as he gave her one last smile before turning away. Suddenly, her mind burst into action. Say something! Don't let him go! She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Tell him your name! This is your chance! You've been waiting 16 years for this!

"Uh!"

Jillian closed her eyes as the grunt escaped her lips. She was supposed to speak English not Neanderthol! He turned around and gave her a confused look.

"What?"

She ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath. "My name is Jillian, what's yours?"

He smiled at her and stuck out a hand. "Nate."

She took his hand and shook it gently, letting the smile grow across her face. "It's a pleasure meeting you, I can't believe you think the same way about the sky as I do..."

*~*

Written for "Invalid Item"   by A Guest Visitor the prompt was: Your story or poem is about a chance of a lifetime and includes a raincoat, a wish, and a shy brown haired girl. Your story takes place in the Fall.