Samantha and Riven-Delle decided to brave the freezing cold (or at least, it was to them, being California girls) and do some shopping downtown.

Riven-Delle’s head was turned by the enchanting sound of a guitar strumming not far from where they were. She realized that the person playing looked unmistakably familiar and found herself in the middle of a big problem. Her head told her that it wasn’t wise to go up to a stranger and talk to them, but she had done it once with no harm done. Surely Samantha wouldn’t approve, but Riven-Delle felt that this boy needed help and that he wasn’t really a bad person.

“Riven-Delle, what are you looking at?” Samantha inquired once she realized her sister had suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.

Riven-Delle knew that hair – she hadn’t seen anyone else with it before. It was definitely him.

Without saying a word Riven-Delle headed in the direction of the guitar player with Samantha very hesitantly following behind. She absolutely hated it when people kept her from doing some serious shopping.

“Hello!” Riven-Delle greeted, a bit nervous to say anything.

The teenage boy looked up from his guitar and instantly stopped playing. The look behind his eyes expressed worry and Riven-Delle wondered what could be wrong.

“Hello….,” he said hesitantly.

“I’m sorry – aren’t you Weston? The boy from the diner? I was certain I’d seen you before,” Riven-Delle said, though she already knew it was him.

“Yeah, I guess that would be me. You got some cops hiding out nearby to take me in?” He asked, his eyes shifting around.

“No, of course not! I told you I wouldn’t turn you in,” Riven-Delle said.

He let out a quick sigh that was hardly audible and said; “Look, I don’t want to be rude, but maybe you should get going. I’m about ready to head back home now anyway.”

Riven-Delle looked down at the blue bowl with white polk-a-dots scattered around it. This was not a bowl a teenage boy would choose to use – especially in public. She couldn’t help wondering if perhaps it was stolen… Weston was definitely not living in a stable home – maybe he was even living on the streets.

“C-could you strum a song for us before we go? I heard you from a distance and it sounded great,” Riven-Delle said.

“I think we should get going, Delle,” Samantha intervened.

“One song won’t hurt. We’ll still have time for shopping,” Riven-Delle said.

“Alright, just one song and then I gotta go. My dad will kill me if I’m late for my lessons,” he said, though Riven-Delle couldn’t help doubting that he even had a father.

Riven-Delle watched curiously as he turned the knobs on his guitar to tune it. Samantha turned her head away and groaned just loud enough for Riven-Delle to hear her.

Once he had tuned up, he began to strum on his guitar an older sounding song that was full of life, making Riven-Delle tap her feet and clap her hands along.

When the song ended, Riven-Delle clapped and told him how great it was while she got her purse out to drop some money into his bowl.

“You play so well, I wouldn’t be surprised if someday you become famous!” Riven-Delle said as she dropped her money into the bowl.

A crisp 20 dollar bill to be exact.

Weston stared at it in disbelief – he hadn’t had that much money at one time in years!

“Thank you,” he said, as calmly as possible.

“Alright, Delle, let’s go now,” Samantha urged.

“Well, bye!” Riven-Delle said, feeling a bit awkward and sorry to leave him. Who knew where he would be tonight or if he even had anyone who cared about him.

Weston reached into the bowl and held the 20 dollars in his hand as he watched the girls leave. The kindness Riven-Delle had expressed meant so much to him – no one had treated him that way since he was a young boy. Except for his friend, of course, who was lying sick in bed and in need of some decent food. Thanks to Riven-Delle, he could give him just that.

Do you play an instrument? I’m learning to play the keyboard and I’m loving it! 😀 

~Jaclynn~

Just a note – do not talk to strangers. Riven-Delle is a bad example. XD

Also, another note – Riven-Delle and Weston are not a couple and I don’t plan to make that happen. They will just be good friends. 😉