FFS I barely knew these people!

I was to be honest a little irritated by their behaviour in general but mostly Ally's. "Friends"? Anyways they were gentle, open and supportive to each other and they made no exception for me. So I decided to not think too much of it and just stayed. It turned out Ally was doing a year abroad. Carly, Sunny, Bill and Roger were from around the area. Carly and Sunny were studying at the same University, so did Roger. Bill was working. But they hadn't met accidentally. They knew each other from some festival where they initially met. Ally chose this university, because she already knew some people in the area. We had a nice talk, watching the late afternoon sun and at some point we talked about the evening. The five friends were planning on spending it in a nearby park. It was close to my place too and when I was asked if I wanted to join the party, I gladly accepted. But I had some things I needed to take care of first, so I asked "where will you be exactly? Should I leave my phone number or something?" Ally smiled. "No need, D. You will find us." She winked at me and after a quick goodbye I grabbed my bag and left the group.

I went home, did some reading, had something to eat. When I checked the clock it was still time, so I changed into something more comfortable but socially accepted, a shirt, a hoodie jacket, shorts and a pair simple slippers. The group I was going to meet with didn't seem to care too much about clothing anyway... I grabbed some of my weed. Since we had freely helped ourselves to Fittie's supply, there was plenty around but I took some weed from a grower I knew could be trusted. Then I grabbed a simple bag, stuffed into my pocket and left. I went to the city, to buy some drinks. Temperatures were getting warmer by the day, so I got some vino Verde, cheap but refreshing and slowly made my way to the aforementioned park, a hilly area with some trees. Just one paved road lead through it but there were also some beaten trails meandering between certain spots under trees where people often met.

On my way there I thought about Ally and what could be expected from this evening. Of course I knew I shouldn't expect anything but I was kind of nervous because Ally had made me feel strange from the second she finished my sentence. Well, I had opened with a comment on me smelling their weed, so it was somewhat obvious where I was headed... But still. Then there were her whispered words. I had to check out, if they would welcome me, in ways not open to everyone... What was that supposed to mean? Of course I suspected she noticed my reaching out to them, but I had my doubts. No one had ever noticed my interfering. But then again, if she meant something completely different, why would she whisper? These were my thoughts again and again until I reached the entrance to the park. I took a deep breath and broke this cycle of reoccurring thoughts, clearing my mind.

I was just a few steps into the park following the paved road taking a right turn, with the evening breeze in my face when I saw the silhouettes of a few people sitting by a group of trees on a hill. I instantly knew it was them. To me Ally's mind shone a beacon, bright and warm I perceived her presence among the silhouettes of people sitting by the trees. Of course other people, other minds were in the park too but Ally was an exception in my perception.

I made my way up the hill towards the shaded spot under the tree where Ally and her friends sat. They were having a conversation but when I was close enough, Ally stood up and greeted me with a hug, her small but very firm breasts pressing against my chest. We sat down and I said hello to the group. "As promised earlier today, I came back to repay you for your Kindness", I said opening my bag and taking out the vino Verde as well as the weed along with some papers. I saw the faces of everyone brighten and I could tell without purposefully reaching out to them that their resentment, especially the boy's resentment against me faded. The wine flowed and joints were passed around. When the bottles I brought were emptied, Roger offered to go and get a few replacements. Carly offered to accompany him and he accepted.

Sunny and Billy were engaged in a discussion of their own and so I turned to Ally. " So you're doing a year abroad? How did you manage to find a place to stay in this city?" "It wasn't that hard", she replied. "I don't need much and finding a small and affordable place was easy. Oh, Billy's connections certainly helped." Billy smiled over his shoulder. " Who knows? I might even invite you." I was going to say yes, of course I was, but Ally interrupted my answer befor I could really start to speak. "If you are willing to take your shoes off that is. No shoes at my place!" I thought for a short while but since I had cleaned up before coming here, I quickly took my shoes off and stuffed them into my bag. "I'm good to go" I said. "Not so shy anymore, huh?" She laid one hand on my leg. "Let's wait. I'd hate to miss out on the wine Roger's about to bring." And so we did. It was a nice evening, very nice. It was warm and when the sun went down, it was still warm enough for a T-shirt or a simple hoodie jacket. We talked about all and sundry, from politics to the upcoming festival summer and it wasn't until late night when the group began to part ways. I accompanied Ally to the park's entrance I had used before. The rest of the group went off in a different direction, but before we said our goodbyes, Ally said " well, since you took your shoes off, You are free to visit me at my humble place anytime." I was confused. "What is it with the shoes?" "You didn't notice?" "What? Twigs pricking my soles?" "And I thought, you had been properly trained" she smiled. "I was thinking of inviting you straight away, but I am tired and the wine has gotten to my head. Perhaps, it's better, if we meet tomorrow? Come meet me at my place in the evening, how about seven or eight?" She gave me her address. "How about, you leave your shoes off for the way home? Listen to your senses, not just you tactile sense. With your feet you make contact with the earth. No need to separate yourself from it. I am sure, you will understand." So I walked home in the middle of the night, through filthy streets, feeling like an idiot. But soon I noticed the asphalt was still a little warm from the sunlight. I remembered Ally's words and so I concentrated on my other senses as well and when I came across trees even though the **** still blurred - if you could call it that way - my perception I sensed the life in them, their roots stretching out under the sidewalk. Small animals running around. There were no minds like the ones I was used to sense and reach out to, but there was... something. When I came home, I washed the dirt off my feet and got ready for bed. Luckily I had no early classes the next day.