The Boy Who Talks to Trees

Written by Sophia Hernandez. Edited by Maria Martinez-Lopez.

Long ago before our day, lived a boy. His name was Noah. He had ginger hair with beautiful green eyes. He almost looked as if he was in a book. If he really wanted, he could be the most beautiful person in the world. But since he didn’t want attention from others, he covered his eyes with his hair. But all beauty costs something, he had a terrible heart disease that caused his heart to fail. Of Course, he didn’t tell anybody when he found out, when it was already too late.

It was going to kill him but thankfully he was told how much longer had. He was originally told he was going to live for a year. But, to make this story more interesting he wasted the whole year and was on his last week. It was Tuesday because he fell asleep the whole day on Monday. He was walking into school barely able to see because of his hair covering his eyes. 

He bumped into someone and he said, “Sorry” in a soft voice. 

He was expecting someone to yell at him but instead, someone said, “No, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.“ 

He barely uncovered his eyes just enough to see her, a beautiful blonde with blue eyes. He whispered under his breath, "So beautiful." 

She asked “What is your name?” 

“My name is Noah,” he shrugged. 

She smiled,” Nice to meet you my name is Nina.” 

“Nice to meet you." said Noah. 

She helped him up and walked away. After school, Noah went into the school’s backyard. 

He walked towards a tree, he smiled at the sight of it, “Did you miss me, Lola?” A voice answered, "Yes, my love.” He fixed his hair exposing his eyes. 

He smiled. “I met a girl today.”

 The mysterious voice answered, “I'm glad you found someone new. I'm sorry, I could not stay with you.” 

Noah replied, “ It's not your fault that you had a illness as well. I would not have ever met you, had it not been because of it.” 

“It would be wrong to blame you,” said Noah, “At least I will join you soon.” 

As he said that he sat under the tree and fell asleep. In the early morning he went home to change and shower. He walked to school thinking about Nina, as he smiled at the ground he thought, I hope I get to see her today. By fate, he saw her. 

He smiled and shouted, ”Nina!” 

She turned and then smiled. “How are you, Noah?” 

 “Good,” Noah replied. 

“Are you ready for the math test?” asked Nina. 

Noah looked up confused. He asked. “There is a math test today?” 

Nina smiled “Yes, there is. If you ever need help with math, I can help you study if you want.” 

"That would be great,” said Noah.

 Nina winked at him, and Noah blushed. When they arrived at school, they went their separate ways. 

After lunch, he walked into the math hallway.

 Where he saw his teacher, Ms. Diaz, he said. “Good morning, Ms. Diaz.” She smiled.

 “Good morning, Noah. We have a test today, so get the paper” pointing at the shelf. 

He grabbed it and sat down. He looked at the paper. He didn't understand a thing. After the test, he looked unsure, walking to the room in the 100 wing to see Miss Berryman. He was excited because Nina was in that class as well. Miss Berryman told him, To sit next to Nina, he felt like he had been blessed. After class, he went into the school yard to see Lola again. The reason he hears her voice there is because they would always hang out under the tree before she died. 

Noah walked up to the tree and said “Hello Lola.” 

She answered. “Yes, I'm here, my love. I was afraid you wouldn't come back.” 

“Of course I will always come back,” said Noah.

 Lola giggled. Noah smiled. 

"I saw the girl again." said Noah 

“Good.” Replied Lola. “Make sure you tell her your feelings and how long you have left.”

 “ I'll be sure to tell her,” said Noah. After he said that, he sat under the tree and fell asleep. 

Already, it was Thursday. He walked into school, forgetting to go home and shower. He saw Nina. Well, at least he thought it was her. It ended up being someone else, but then he actually saw her. 

She smiled. “Good morning, Noah.” 

As she smiled, Noah said. "I need to tell you something ."

She looked confused. and then smiled “What is it?”

” I will tell you at lunch,” said Noah. 

“OK, I will see you at lunch,” 

Noah blushed. At lunch time, he told her “I only had a few more days to live.” 

Nina was in total shock but when he told her, “I like you,” she stood up and said “I don’t want to waste my feelings on someone who isn’t going to be there for the rest of my life. This is too difficult, I am sorry” She walked away. 

He could understand why she didn’t want to be with him. Yet he was still sad. Afterschool, he walked to the tree and told Lola what happened. Just then a ghost-like figure that looked like Lola hugged him. He started crying in her arms. She held him until he was too tired to cry and he fell asleep.

 In the morning he walked into school. He was surprised when Nina ran up to him and said, “I’m sorry that I said all that to you.” Then she hugged him. He smiled at her, “It's ok I understand.” 

Afterschool, they went to a park and played on the playground as if they were kids. They talked and spoke of secret desires and told jokes to each other that had them laughing nonstop. They got ice-cream and went to an amusement park until it was night. 

Noah asked Nina, “do you want to meet someone?” 

"Yes" said Nina. 

He took her to the tree and said, “I'm back Lola and I brought a friend.” 

Nina thought he was crazy but then saw a figure emerge and she almost ran away. Noah pushed Nina kindly to Lola's ghost and hinted to her to say hello. 

Nina stuttered, “Hello.” 

The Ghost of Lola smiled. “Nice to meet you Nina.” 

Nina was no longer in fear. Then she felt a sensation of happiness. Noah explained that Lola was his first love and that she had passed away. This tree is a place were they would spend time together when she was still alive. 

Lola interrupted. “I am so happy you guys are getting along. I have been watching you to see what would happen. I thought you would dismiss him. But my hypothesis was off. It seem it is true as the proverb says, It is better to have loved and lost then to have never have loved at all.” 

The next day at night, Noah sat under the tree and fell asleep and never woke once more. 

After Noah's death Nina moved cities and moved forward in life as best as she could with the fond memory of Noah. The night Noah passed away, Lola sat under the tree with Noah. Lola stood up and held out her hand and Noah held her hand and lead him into the sky and lived together forever like in the stories.