“I’m back.” Holly says, as she enters through the beads and flops onto her bed.

  Her hair sprawls around her in a cascade of molten gold, and I have to hold myself back from commenting on it. “Everything alright?”

  She sighs deeply. “Sorta.” I give her a worried look, and she continues. “I think it might be best if we weren’t here for a bit. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” I respond, a bit put out. “Do I need to go home?”

  “No!” She responds as she shakes her head repeatedly. “No. I um… There’s a park nearby… Would you want to go walk around with me?”

  Walking around a park does sound very romantic… “Absolutely.” I agree.

  Her smile lights up the room. “Great, let’s go!”

  We head out to the main room, and I quickly ce up my shoes, ignoring her looking down at me after sliding her feet into her slip ons. With my shoes on, she opens the door, and we walk outside.

  “It’s hot out here.” She says immediately, and shades her eyes.

  “Yeah…” I say, sliding the fnnel off my shoulders as we walk.

  I wrap the fnnel around my waist, and tie it tightly in the front. When I look up, Holly is giving me a weird look.

  “Everything alright?” I ask as we continue walking.

  She shakes her head. “Everything’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

  I accept that answer, and continue walking with her. After a few minutes, I start humming the tune to Echoes of Emptiness, a song I wrote a few days ago. As the park comes into view, I become aware of my humming, and quickly fall silent.

  “Awwww.” Holly excims. “That was cute! Why’d you stop?”

  I blush slightly at her praise. “It was silly…”

  She stops and takes my hands in hers. “It wasn’t silly.” She says firmly, looking me in the, her hazel eyes alight. “I really liked it.”

  “Th-thank you, Holly.” I stammer out. “That means a lot.”

  She holds my gaze for a moment longer before dropping my hands and continuing to walk into the park. “Can you sing it for me?”

  I shake my head. “Eventually.” I say, giving her a soft smile. “I’m just a little bit self conscious about it right now…”

  I feel arms wrap around me, and soft breath against my ear. “I get it.” Holly whispers to me. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop pushing.”

  “It’s okay.” I say, holding the tears that threaten my embarrassment from breaching my eyes. “So, what do you want to do?”

  She looks around a moment, before I see her eyes settle on the pyground. “Want to go sit on the swings?”

  “Sure.” I say with a smile, and follow her to the old rusty swing set.

  We swing together for a few moments while she taps away on her phone, before she speaks up. “So, tell me about your dreams.”

  I grimace, but do give a response. “I can’t.” I say simply. “I don’t remember them.”

  “I know.” She says, her voice light. “Tell me what you can remember.”

  “I was happy.” I reply mely. “All I remember is feeling good after the dream. No story, no events, just joy.”

  She giggles softly as she continues to swing gently. “I’m gd they’re at least good dreams.”

  “Thanks.” I say, chuckling slightly. “So, what should I do?”

  “A couple things.” She says, before getting off her swing. “Let’s walk and talk.”

  I follow her off the swings, staying by her side as we continue along the path into the park. The path soon takes us into the seclusion of the trees. I look at the dense foliage and jump slightly as the soft padding of our shoes on dirt turns into a loud thunking of wood.

  I look down, and see that the ground has fallen away around us, leaving us on a long wooden pathway over water. I step slightly closer to Holly, while trying to avoid pushing her further towards the edge.

  “You okay?” She asks, giving me a strange look.

  “Uh… Yeah.” I lie. “I’m fine.”

  She stops and takes my hands one more time. I feel my heart slow slightly as her soft, warm hands take mine. “No, you’re not.” She says matter-of-factly. “What’s wrong?”

  “I um…” I stammer. “I’m not good with water…” I admit.

  “Huh?” She asks, looking surprised. “Why not?”

  “I almost drowned when I was young…” I expin. “Haven’t been able to get in the water since.”

  “I’m sorry.” She says softly. “Would holding my hand help?” She asks, looking shyly into my eyes. “If not, we can turn back.”

  I’m not about to say no to holding her hand for a while. Fear be damned. “I think I’m okay to continue.” I say, hoping she’ll continue holding my hand, without me having to ask for it.

  Thankfully, she does retain hold of my hand as we continue walking down the wooden path. “Okay so, back to your dreams.”

  “Yeah.” I say, and wait for her to continue.

  “There are a few things I want you to do, and over time you should start to see results.” She says, and squeezes my hand once. “Firstly, and most importantly, is starting a dream journal.”

  “A dream journal?” I ask. “Never heard of it.”

  “Every morning, the moment you wake up, write down as much of your dream as you can possibly remember.” She expins, and squeezes my hand again.

  “I can do that.” I say with a smile. “What’s the point of it though, if I can’t ever remember anything.”

  “It conditions your brain to remember them more.” She says, as we walk onto a rge wooden ptform with a few benches. “That, alongside meditation before bed, should help you remember them better.”

  She sits down and pulls out her phone, and lets go of my hand to type something. “I see.” I say with a soft smile, looking away from her phone so as not to snoop. “I’ll start tonight.”

  “I really hope it helps.” She says, nudging me with her shoulder while she puts her phone away. “Sorry. May asked where we were, and I was letting her know so she wouldn’t worry about me.”

  “I see.” I say again. “You’re fine, Holly.”

  She looks out over the water of the pond at a flock of seagulls, flying low over the water. “It’s so beautiful here.”

  I look at her, memorizing the lines of her face, the light of joy in her eyes, the bright smile as she stares out at the birds. “It really is.”

  After a few moments, she stands up and holds her hand out to me. I take it, and let her pull me up off the seat. I intend to walk away, but she spins me in pce, and presses her chest into my back.

  “Let’s get a photo together before we leave.” She says with a smile.

  A photo…?! I shudder internally at the thought of any sting reflection of my appearance. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”

  “It is.” She says, resting her chin on my shoulder.

  Holly isn’t that much shorter than me, only an inch or two, so I don’t have to bend down really at all, to get a good height for the photo. She holds onto me tightly, while she lifts her phone up in the air.

  She takes a few photos at varying angles, before finally freeing me. Not that I was upset about being close to her like that, but because I hate getting my photo taken. She smiles brightly as she looks through the photos, before putting her phone away.

  “Let’s head back.” She says, and takes my hand.

  I blush slightly, but ce my fingers into hers as we walk. Truth be told, the water is kinda pretty. If Holly likes it this much, I’m going to have to give it another try. I smile at the thought. Maybe I’ll take swimming lessons down at the rec center. That could be fun.

  I finally register the soft rapid footsteps on the wood as we continue walking. Just as we’re about to round a corner, a man jogs past. He accidentally bumps into my shoulder, and continues running.

  I instinctively let go of Holly, and my arms pinwheel as I try to stop myself from falling. My attempts are in vain and I fall backwards into the cool embrace of the murky pond. I shut my eyes and plug my nose to prevent the scum in the water from entering my body.

  I hear soft spshes around me, and feel my back hit something solid and slimy. Hands grip onto my shoulders and my head breaches the surface. I take in multiple huge breaths, struggling to actually retain any of it.

  My heart pounds in my chest, and I see gray borders at the edge of my vision that slowly start to close in on me. I can’t breathe. Water got in my lungs. I’m going to drown. I stare ahead, feeling tears force their way out of the corners of my eyes and down my wet cheeks.

  After what could’ve been a few moments, or a few hours, I start to register a sound, repeating over and over again.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  Holly continues repeating this as I come fully back into the world. We’re both sitting on the wooden path. More accurately, she’s sitting on the wooden path, I’m sitting in her p. I feel heat rise to my cheeks as I full comprehend the position I’m in.

  “I’m so sorry.” She repeats.

  “It’s okay, Holly.” I say softly, and stroke her cheek with my thumb. “Wasn’t your fault, that jogger wasn’t watching where he was going.”

  “I know…” She says sadly. “But I could’ve held onto you tighter.” She growls and shakes her head. “This is my fault. You told me you were afraid. I should’ve just turned back then.”

  “You’re fine, Holly. I promise.” I say insistently. “What should we do now?”

  She looks into my eyes, thinking for a moment. “Let’s walk back to my house, and you can get changed into some of my clothes. I’ll put yours in the dryer, and they should be ready by the time you have to leave.”

  I blush furiously at the thought of being in her clothes. “I don’t know how I feel about that.” I say honestly.

  “Well, I can’t have you sitting on my bed soaking wet,” She says, seemingly slightly annoyed, “And I really don’t want our hangout to end yet.”

  I nod a few times. “I’ll wear your clothes. It’s fine. No big deal.” I say with a smile.

  “You sure?” She asks, looking hopefully up into my eyes.

  “I’m sure.” I say, and stand up onto the wood. “Let’s go.”

  I hold my hand out to her, and she takes it, standing up. I start to walk, and she follows, keeping her hand in mine. After a few moments, I feel her fingers wriggle their way between my own, and her thumb starts rubbing the back of my knuckles.

  I squeeze gently three times, and she returns the gesture as we walk in silence. By the time we get to Holly’s house, the sun has dried us somewhat, but revealed a new problem. Mud. The two of us are covered in mud.

  She opens the door, and I follow her lead in taking off my shoes and leaving them outside. She quickly guides me into her bedroom, motions for me to enter the tiled bathroom, the door surprisingly not covered in beads.

  After a few minutes of shuffling around in her drawers, she tosses me a bundle of clothes. “Get changed and leave your wet stuff on the ground, okay?”

  “Okay.” I reply, and start to shut the door.

  “I’m changing too.” She says quickly. “Don’t come out until I say it’s okay.”

  “Don’t worry, Holly.” I say earnestly. “I won’t. I promise.”

  She nods, and I close the door, leaving me alone in the dim room. I start to pull my phone out, but find it missing. Panic fills my heart, but I quickly swallow it down, and knock gently on the door.

  “Hey, Holly. Do you have my phone?” I ask, just in case.

  “Yes.” She says, and I breathe a sigh of relief. “I was trying to dry it off so I threw it in my bag.”

  “Thank you.” I say, nervous about the fate of my phone. “I’ll check it out once we’re done.”

  That dealt with, I strip down to my underwear, and upon finding that soaked, strip further. Holly, it seems, has thought far ahead of me, as the bundle she gave me includes underwear and socks.

  I inspect the pair of light blue underwear momentarily. They’re like tight shorts, but shorter. I shake my head, and shove down the sudden creepy urges that arise in my brain. Bad Danny! I shout into my mind. This is why you don’t have any friends! Because someone does something nice for you, and you immediately make it weird!

  I slide the underwear up my legs, and gnce quickly in the mirror at myself, before looking away immediately. It’s whatever. I shove down the rush of emotions, and continue getting dressed. The soft bck ankle socks are way more comfortable than my rough white and gray crew socks. I have to admit, even the underwear is more comfortable than my own…

  The final two items on the pile are a pair of loose flowy pants like she was wearing that are brown and patterned after a type of moth, and an extremely tight white tank top. I cringe at the thought of revealing my shoulders, but suck it up, and pull on the clothes.

  I open my eyes, and look into the mirror, surprisingly not hating what I see. The water ruined my hair… I shake off the feelings, and just enjoy being able to look in a mirror for a few moments without cringing.

  I turn away and knock on the door. “One sec.” Holly calls back. I sit there in silence, and after a few moments, feel the handle twist in my hand, and the door pull open. “Hey, let me see yo-” She pauses mid sentence to stare at me, her cheeks tinging pink. “Uh… wow…”

  Pain flutters in my heart, and I feel tears prick at my eyes. “That bad, huh?”

  Holly seems stunned for a moment, before she looks up to my eyes. “What?!” She shouts. “Bad?!” She ughs at me. “Danny, you look really good.”

  It’s my turn to blush, and I have to break eye contact. “Thanks, Holly.”

  “Let me see your clothes, I’ll go throw them in the washer.” She looks down slightly as she says this. “I didn’t really think about them being muddy earlier… they might not be ready when you have to leave.”

  “It’s fine.” I say easily. “I can just have my mom bring me something to change into.”

  “Oh.” She says softly. “Yeah, you could do that too.”

  “What were you going to suggest?” I ask, confused.

  She shakes her head. “Not important.”

  “Come on, Holly!” I whine. “I wanna know.”

  She sighs deeply, and looks up at me. “I was gonna say you could hold onto my clothes for a bit, but your idea makes more sense.”

  “Yeah…” I say slowly, wondering why that thought upsets me slightly.

  “Oh well.” She says, and grabs the bundle of wet clothes from me. “When I come back, can I do your hair?”

  “I’d like that.” I admit.

  “Great. Be right back.” She says, and heads out of the bedroom.

  I look back into the mirror for a moment, and push my hair around, trying to find something that doesn't look horrible. I eventually settle for pushing it all to one side, and letting the front strands hang over my forehead in a diagonal line.

  That done, I take a seat on Holly’s bed, and wait for her to return. It doesn’t take her too long, and soon enough she’s pushing through the beads and into her room. She looks up at me, and I watch a warm smile creep onto her face as she sees me.

  “You ready for me to do your hair?” She asks. I nod, and she gestures for me to follow her to the bathroom. “I get full creative freedom though okay? I get to do what I want with it.”

  “Sure.” I say, a little worried about what she’s going to do. “No cutting though, okay?”

  She giggles. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t pnning on that.” She looks me up and down once more. “Actually, I’m probably going to leave it very simir to how you have it now, just dried and brushed.”

  I agree, and she starts the process of blow drying my hair, and brushing it out. Due to the hairspray that was already present, my hair comes out extremely frizzy. Holly brushes it down as best she can, and eventually, turns me to look into the mirror.

  “Ta-da!” She excims, her smile going from ear to ear.

  “Whoa…” I say softly, enjoying my hair for the second time in one day. Third, if you count my attempts a few minutes ago.

  She pushed most of my hair over to one side, like I did earlier, but left just a little of it hanging straight down. My hair part is a bit above my ear, the top portion covering my forehead perfectly, and the sides framing my face really well.

  “I love it.” I say, unintentionally, trying once more to hide the emotions welling up inside me. What is wrong with me?

  “Really?” She asks, excitedly. “I’m so gd!”

  We both jump as there is a sudden, slightly muffled, knock on the front door. We both walk out together, and she opens the door to reveal my mom on the other side.

  “Hey kiddo, I-” She pauses for a moment, swallows, and then continues. “Sorry. I tried calling to let you know I was on my way, but your phone kept going straight to voicemail. Is everything alright?”

  “Yeah.” I say, smiling ruefully. “I accidentally fell into a pond. My clothes and my phone got soaked.”

  “His clothes are in the washer right now.” Holly interjects. “I figured I could let him wear mine until his are clean. I didn’t realize you’d be coming this soon.”

  “It is after dinner time.” My mom says with a coy smile.

  “It is?!” Holly and I shout in unison.

  “Yes, it is.” May says from on top of the stairs behind us.

  Holly squeezes my arm, and we turn back to my mom. “I’ll go get his phone real quick.” Holly says, and starts to turn away. “Feel free to hold onto those clothes until we hang out next.” She says.

  I stand there awkwardly, before remembering to put on my shoes. By the time they’re ced up, Holly is back, holding my cell phone.

  “I tried to dry it as best I can.” She looks down slightly. “I’m sorry Danny.”

  “It wasn’t your fault.” I insist to Holly.

  “I know…” She says miserably.

  “I’ll text you tonight okay?” I say, trying to cheer her up. “We can pn another hangout soon.”

  “I’d like that.” She says, and then wraps her arms around me in a tight hug, before separating, and smiling at my mom. “Have a great night, Mrs. Valera.”

  “You too, Holly.” She says, and starts walking back to the car.

  I follow along, and turn back as I am about to get into the passenger seat. Holly is still standing in the doorway. She waves to me again, and I wave back, before she finally goes inside and shuts the door.

  “So…” My mom says quietly. “She’s cute.”

  “Moooooooooommmm!” I groan.

  This causes her to ugh loudly. “I’m just kidding, sweetie.” I smile at her, but then she ruins the moment by continuing to speak. “Although… that hug was a bit long.”

  “We’re friends, Mom.” I say, and then look firmly away from her. “Just friends.”

  “Whatever you say, Kiddo.” She says, and turns on her music.

  ?????????????

  I shut the door behind me, and look inside at the disapproving face of my older sister. “What happened to not putting him in girl clothes yet?” She asks.

  “He got pushed into the pond.” I expin. “It was a golden opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.” A slight giggle forms in my throat. “Did you see the look his mom gave him when she saw what he was wearing?! Priceless!”

  “I’ll admit,” May says with a soft grin. “That was pretty funny.”

  “That hairstyle too.” I say with a ugh. “He was trying so hard to say something positive about it. It was clear he hated it, but he accepted it anyway. Which means I am already well on the way towards my goal.”

  “Uh-huh.” May says, looking at me doubtfully. “Whatever, Holly. I’m hungry, and it’s your night to cook.”

  “Ughhhhh…” I say softly. “Is mom staying out te, again?”

  “Yup.” May says softly.

  “Why do I even ask…” I say bitterly, and head for the kitchen.

  As I pull out my phone to find a recipe to make, a text pings onto my screen.

  ‘So, did it work?’

  I smile slightly, and type a response out to my cousin.

  ‘Like a charm. She was so grateful to me for saving her. She looked so cute in my clothes too. I wish I had gotten a picture. Oh well…’

  ‘I’m gd I could py wingman for ya cuz!’

  ‘Let me know how your next date goes.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘I forgot to ask.’

  ‘What’s her name?’

  I think for a moment, trying to find something that fits Danny. Something cute, and so incredibly girly, that there is no ciming it as anything else, like you could with Danny.

  'Her name is Emmy.’