"so then, i asked him why exactly he was standing backwards on the ramp and he was like 'i'm attempting a backwards kick flip." he laughed as he told me a story, us walking around in town, passing the same diner in which miles had yelled at me, my eyes lingering a bit too long. my throat tightened.

travis had insisted on walking with me and, needing some human interaction, i didn't disagree. and we'd been sharing life stories as we walked.

more like he was sharing and i was listening. if i shared, i'd think about miles, "oh, god..."

"right? long story short- skinner ended up skinning his arms."

his laugh was friendly but the sun going down was even more appealing, "it's getting late, i should head home..."

he gave me a crooked half-smile, sadness in his eyes. from the time i'd met travis, i could assume that he wasn't always there... he was alone so he surrounded himself with people. he made this clear when he shook his head, "i'll walk you."

"no thanks, i can handle myself."

his persistence was a bit annoying as he furrowed his blond eyebrows, "you sure?"

are you?

still, i was more interested in being alone, "goodbye, travis."