The following morning I had expected Chris to catch up and walk with me to school, but he didn’t make an appearance. As a matter of fact, I didn’t see him at all for several days and I was really starting to get concerned, not just because of what had happened in the park, but because, except for Chris, I didn’t have anyone else that I considered a true friend. Oh sure, I have my hoodlum buddies, but I wouldn’t call them friends. Then again, I’m not sure I can call Chris a friend, since he’d never once said a single word to me and the only times I ever saw him was when walking to and from school or the occasional unexpected meeting around the neighborhood or in the park.
After a while, I started asking around about him. No one seemed to know him or remember ever seeing someone matching his description. I even asked the lunch lady who seems to know everyone by name, but even she shrugged her shoulders at my inquiry. It was as if Chris didn’t really exist, except in my own head and to be honest, I was even having my own doubts about his existence.
I think it was like two weeks after I saw him in the park when I spotted him again. He was leaning against that same tree I had seen him at so many times before.
For a second or two I wondered if I should approach him. I mean, what if all this time he had been avoiding me for some reason? In the end, I crossed the street and made my way to the tree. To my immense relief, Chris flashed me a big welcoming smile when he’d seen me approaching.
“Hey,” I said, trying not to come off to strong.
He gave me a happy little nod and patted the ground next to him to indicate, that he wanted me to sit with him.
“Been looking for you the past couple weeks, but you didn’t seem to be anywhere around.” I said.
He picked up a fallen leaf as he nodded knowingly.
“Sorry about scaring you in the park that one day.” I said apologetically.