Teena and Rory were standing at the bookshelf of the library. They both were reaching out and examining different books. Rory for a brief moment looked over at Teena, while she was leaned over the spine of a book still on the shelf, trying to read the vertical title with her head cocked to one side.
Rory had known Teena almost their entire lives. Her parents and his had always been friends as long as he could remember and even lived on the same block until last year. It wasn't always easy being around Teena. When they were younger, he remembered having good times with her and just being small kids wanting to play and run around. They were playmates at the get togethers between their parents.
As they grew older, and now twelve years old, something had shifted. It was hard to put a finger on it, but those playdates did not go as smooth as they once did. When the only objective was to play with toys in the yard and run around laughing carefree. Now there was a strain in the air. Moments of quiet filled their visits and barely much interaction. He recalled the moment it had all changed. It was close to the end of summer and he was excited to hear that she was coming over and arranged to have a fun time playing their games in the garden and the board games she enjoyed. What he didn't expect was to see her come in with her hair grown long and wavy and wearing a pair of hoop earrings. He stared at her like a stranger and when their eyes met for the time that day, she bashfully looked away, seeing how he noticed how she had no longer the tomboy look and ready for grass to stain her new pair of white linen shorts.
"Come in," Rory said, taking a gulp of air as he said it.
Teena walked in sheepishly and sat on the corner of his bed. They sat for a while not speaking to each other. Then she broke the ice.
"So what homeroom did you get?" Teena asked in a way to avoid the ongoing uncomfortable silence.
"I'm in Mr. Gibson's homeroom, who did you get?" he replied.
"Oh nice, I'm in Mrs. Thompson's homeroom," she said.
Thankfully, that was all they needed to get the ball rolling. They continued to talk about school and eventually went outside so Rory could show her his new bike - because he couldn't think of anything else to do in his room. He had to get out of the room because it felt too awkward.
When Teena and her family left, he felt utterly relieved. He felt like he could breathe again. What was that, he asked himself.
Now, it's been a few years later and there they are in the library at the same shelf. Her family unfortunately moved away a year ago so he hadn't seen her in such a long time. Since she was the last one to break the ice, he decided it was his turn.
"Hey... Teena? How are you?" he finally said to her.
She looked over at him, looking at him, "Rory, wow, I haven't see you in so long."
Prompt Source: https://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts/
