- - Swing sets & sunsets

[eleanor sarah walker]

Sarah sat on one of the few swings occuping the park. It must have been about 6 o'clock, as the sun was dipped halfway down into the ocean. As the sun was setting, it created a cascade of light a colours that shone on the ocean like gemstones dancing across the surface. There was a warm wind, each breeze caressing Sarah's angular cheeks, her hair blowing softly across her face.

It had been a very busy and troubling week. Her parents were fighting again; but it wasn't even face to face. It was over the phone. Jack, her father, was in New York, while Emma, her mother, was in Europe. They were both CEO's, so they were always gone. They would be there one morning, and then when Sarah would come home, there would be a note on the counter with a plate of still steaming brownies next to it. The note would say something like:
Your father and I were called over to San Diego. Love, Emma That's all.

They fought all of the time. It would be about one thing or another, depending on the scene. This time, it was about Sarah. Both of her parents wanted her to do different things with her life. Emma wanted her to continue the family business, Apple. While Jack wanted her to be her own person, to let her be who she wants to be. Sarah agreed with her father. But he was still clueless. But she had no intention of telling him what she really wanted to be any time soon.

[/justify]

[peter bergan walker]

It was just by chance that Peter happened to decide to go on a walk. Bogart had been cooped up all day and Peter had no doubt his furry friend would have to go out to potty. Peter opened his dorm door, letting Bogart run out first, then following behind the dog and closing the door behind him. With a smile Peter walked out and into the nice California air. He breathed in the rich smell, closing his eyes and just thinking about how he kind of enjoyed life in California. Peter reopened his eyes, watching Bogart as he scratched around, looking for the best place to use the bathroom. Finally Bogart seemed to find the perfect spot that was at least away from the walking path.

Peter whistled when Bogart had finished so that Bogart knew to follow him. Wanna go to the park, boy? He asked Bogart as he began to walk towards the part. Bogart followed along beside Peter. Occasionally the Jack Russel would run up ahead excitedly, then run back, jump up at Peter, bounce off, then bound off once more. Once or twice Bogart ran ahead and just ran in circles until Peter had caught up. Peter couldn't help but smile at his wonderful dog. He didn't really know what he would do without Bogart. Bogart was the best friend he had ever had. Peter would like to think that his "friends" back in Chicago had been friends, but they had never cared. At least Bogart was able to tell when he was upset or heartbroken.

The park was a really nice place. Peter liked the feel of it. The people, the kids, the clean air, the energy of life... all if it made the park just a nice place to be. Peter walked along the path leading through the park, humming a tine to himself. This reminded him that he really needed to start writing music again. He had taken a break since coming to Concord, but he knew that he didn't need to take too much of a break. Peter had thought it was the craziest thing. He had named his guitar Eleanor, favoring the song Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles and then he had met a really amazing girl by the name of Eleanor, though she went by Sarah, and he last name was Walker to boot!

Peter had been surprised by the thought, but when he finally came across Sarah herself sitting on a bench. He smiled and immediately headed toward her. Sarah, he felt, was someone he could share with. It didn't take a lot for Peter to be able to trust someone, but Sarah seemed like a decent person which is a hell of a lot more than most people could say. Peter walked over, sitting on the bench beside her. Hey, Beautiful. He said softly with a smile. Bogart seemed to catch the hint that they wouldn't be going anywhere else so Bogart settled with sniffing around the area before curling up beside Peter's feet on the ground.

[eleanor sarah walker]

Sarah barely noticed when one of her oldest friends, to use the term loosely, sat next to her. She wasn't startled; just a little surprised. She hadn't seen, let alone talked to, Pete in quite some time. She missed him. They were never romantic, nor did Sarah ever think that they every would be. They were much to like siblings. Although he called her beautiful, she knew that it wasn't in any kind of sexy, seducing way. She almost laughed at the thought.

She and Pete had been neighbors while they were young and played all of the time. But they kind of grew apart. When they were together, they were like a brick wall, unmovable. They leaned on each other for support and help. They told each other how they were feeling; how they were being hurt by someone, and how they were being loved. There was nothing that they couldn't talk about.

Sarah turned her head and faced the oh-so-familiar face and smiled amiably.
"Hi, Studly," She said softly. She never grew tired of the nickname "Beautiful". It made her feel special. And his nickname always made her laugh. She knew that deep down, when Pete was around, she lowered her guard just a little bit.

[/justify]

[peter bergan walker]

Peter laughed when she called him studly. Nicknames were always a fun little thing to do. The best part about it was that Peter knew for sure that she wouldn't take it the wrong way. He had been open from the beginning about his sexuality. Peter tried to be open about it. Sure there was some... criticism that went along with that, but at least Sarah had been cool about it. He just wanted to be there for her and be the best friend that he knew how to be. Surely that couldn't be asking too much from life. It was a relief for Peter to be able to make other people happy. He had spent his whole life being abused by his father and he didn't want to turn around and watch other people get abused. That just didn't float with him.

With a smile Peter leaned over, wrapping Sarah in a light hug. It was very quick and in no time Peter released her. How are you doing, sweetie? It's been like... what? Forever? Forever and a day? He jokes. It had been a while since Peter had seen her. Chicago had been horrible. Coming here in the 9th grade was the best idea that he had ever had. Something about the air in California made him feel like he was so much closer to getting everything he had ever dreamed of but thought he could never have. People like Sarah made that possible.

Peter turned his gaze out to the beautiful sight before them. It was so amazing. He had never seen the ocean before coming to Concord, but he had never dreamed it would looks so... magical. Maybe that was the musician in him. Peter felt like he was seeing everything from a new perspective. He felt like things had been turned around and flipped flopped from his life before. Peter glanced back to Sarah, waiting to hear her answer. He'd listen to whatever Sarah wanted to tell him. Peter couldn't just pass it off as "oh okay she's fine whatever." He wanted to know about how everything was going for her. Peter wanted to know that she was just as happy and relieved as he was.

[eleanor sarah walker]

Sarah laughed at Pete's joke.
"It's been too long," She said.
Growing up in a very popular household might seem like a great way to be brought up. But Sarah knows differently. No, there were never any financial problems, however every family has some issues of their own. The Walker's just had their own type of problem that most families didn't. Jack and Emma were constantly leaving Sarah, their only child, with a nanny while they were gone on business trips 4 out of the 7 days of the week. And when they were home? They were generally in their individual offices. Working. Rarely did they ever play with their daughter.

It was always hard for Sarah to make friends because of the way that she was brought up. It was difficult to care for and be friends with someone when you grew up with parents who rarely showed love and affection. But Pete was probably the one person that Sarah could lean on since the 9th grade. In 9th grade, Pete moved in with his family down the street. He and his family were from Chicago. Scum to her parents. Out of Pete's family, Sarah connected most with Pete. The one thing that made him so special to her was that he listened. He didn't judge. She was never afraid to tell him anything, no matter how embarrassing. She could tell him all of her troubles, as he could to her.

The issue now was whether she should tell him about Jack and Emma. The easiest answer would be to say "Yes, Pete. I'm just fine, thanks for asking!" and they could move on to another subject. But the real answer was the polar opposite to that.
"You know what, Pete? I don't know," she said turning serious, "They're fighting again. Jack and Emma. Over me." Sarah leaned her head on Pete's shoulder. She could tell that htis would be a long tearful night. At least to her.