Chasing the Sun

She lay on her back, earphones on full volume as she enjoyed the feeling of the sun on her face and bare arms.

It was a Saturday, which meant she had a day off work.

Having a small group of friends who were always busy during the weekend meant Lilly stayed indoors during the weekends for the most part. However, something extraordinary happened today.

It was sunny.

While in most places this was nothing new Lilly lived in Dublin, Ireland.This meant green fields and pissing rain were a normal part of life. Good weather was something like a holiday. It made everybody feel good.

Lilly could not bare the thought of staying indoors when she seldom got to enjoy the glorious feeling of her pale skin being slowly destroyed by the sun’s warm and dangerous rays, which is why she was currently in the park, book forgotten on the grass beside her as her lay down on the warm, dry grass, listening a playlist of her favourite songs on her IPod.

Her annoyance at being on her own for a weekend yet again was currently being forgotten about as the sun’s warm rays made her feel relaxed. The park was packed, students and families alike making the most of the unusually nice weather.Lilly was not the only person who knew it would be stupid not to take advantage of the good weather.The music pounding in her ears made her oblivious to the world around her as she closed her eyes.

Life, at this moment, was good. Boring, but good none the less.

Her job working as a teacher was going quite well considering it was her first year out of college. Her family were good and there was currently no drama or disputes going on.Sometimes though, she wished something would come along and shake things up a bit. Maybe something new could come along, like a sudden opportunity to travel or an exciting new job, anything at all to take away from the monotony of her current day to day living.Suddenly Lilly felt a chill in the air as the orange light she could see when her eyes were closed disappeared.

She opened her eyes in a slight panic and saw the clouds overtake the sun. Her earphones fell out of her ears as she looked to her left, to see if the park was still busy. She was surprised to see that there was a young man sitting near her, whose eyes were currently focused on her. He had floppy raven hair, and wore sunglasses which covered his eyes. He wore a black band t-shirt and a pair of jeans, and had a sketch pad resting on his lap. He smiled at her when she looked at him, and she couldn’t help the blush that spread to her cheeks as she began to feel uncomfortable and self conscious.

How long had he been looking at her? Was he drawing her?

Did he think she was pretty?

A guy you don’t know is staring at you and all you can think about is if he thinks you’re cute?

Her Inner Voice pointed out in a exasperated tone.

Well, it has been a while since the last time I got laid, so sue me!

Lilly and her Inner Voice argued a lot. They had different views on life. While Lilly was a glass is half full kind of girl, her Inner Voice was more of a ‘what glass?’ kind of voice. She ignored her Inner Voice before it could reply as she gave the strange man a small smile back, not sure if she should be flattered or freaked out.

She wasn’t a particularly pretty girl. She was short, had dark brown shoulder length hair, and green almond shaped eyes. Her nose was small with a small scar on the tip from a ferocious battle with the chicken pox when she was five. This guy was cute, and exactly her type physically speaking. Which meant there was no way in hell he was checking her out, guys like him never saw girls like her.

Maybe there was something on her face?

After a few seconds of looking at each other, during which all these thoughts went through Lilly’s head, the cute guy broke the awkward atmosphere.

‘Hi.’

It was a simple introduction which gave Lilly one piece of information about cute guy.

He wasn’t Irish. His accent was definitely American.

I always had a thing for the American accent. Lilly said to herself.

As if American guys are any better than Irish guys. Her Inner Voice spoke out again.

‘Hey’ she replied, feeling awkward when she realised she was actually speaking to cute guy.

‘I’m Gerard’ he said, giving Lilly a name to put to his handsome face.

Cute Guy was a lot better though.

‘ I’m Lilly’ she replied, sitting up so that she was now level with him.

He smiled. ‘That’s a pretty name’

‘Do you always start conversations with girls you don’t know?’

Lilly didn’t know where her sudden confidence to have a conversation with cute guy came from (she decided he would be forever known as cute guy) but she decided to take advantage of it. Being quiet and socially awkward had never gotten her anywhere before, so for once she should do something that took her out of her self-made bubble.

He chuckled.

‘Not really, but seeing as I’m new here and don’t know anyone I figured I’d give it a try.’

He flashed her that oh so charming smile again. It was a good thing she was sitting on the grass or she swore she would have swooned.

‘Where are you from?’

‘New Jersey.’

‘What brings you to the lovely Emerald Isle?’

‘A job.’

‘Are you here long?’

‘Do you always ask so many questions?’ He asked, his smile suggesting he was amused.

She wished he would take his sunglasses off. She always felt uncomfortable talking to people when she couldn’t make direct eye contact with them. She felt as though a person who hid behind sunglasses had something to hide.

‘I do when a random stranger starts talking to me.’

‘Fair point.’ His smile widened, showing off his teeth, which were white and small.

Lilly smiled back, not sure how to keep the conversation going. Conversing with strangers was never her strong point. Luckily, Gerard seemed to be better at it.

‘So, are you from the city?’ he asked.

‘I’m originally from a town about an hour away, I moved here a few months ago for a job.’

I’m not sure you should be telling a stranger too much about yourself.Her Inner Voice spoke up again.

Oh , SHUT UP! She screamed in her head.

‘What kind of job?’

‘I’m a primary school teacher.’

He looked at her puzzled.

‘It’s what we call elementary school.’ She explained.

‘Oh cool, sounds fun’

‘Meh, it has its good days and bad days. What do you do?’ She asked, wanting to know more about him.

‘I’m an illustrator; I just got a job with a small company. I thought it’d be nice to go somewhere new for a while. Got to do something new every once in awhile, don’t you think?’

‘I guess so’ she replied smiling.

As he moved his sunglasses away from his eyes, his hazel eyes finally making contact with her own green eyes, she suddenly got the feeling that this was the beginning of the adventure she was looking for, whether she was ready or not.

Notes

Hi all, I got this idea today and I couldnt rest until I got it written up.
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