Hey guys! This is my first story on here and I'm always looking to improve my writing, so any constructive criticism is much appreciated. If you guys ever have any ideas or comments please tell me, I'm always looking for new inspiration. I hope you guys enjoy the story.
A light late summer's breeze swept across the small, empty beach. The setting sun cast an orange tint on the sand, the waves washing away the footprints made by the young Cuban boy hurrying down the beach.
He slowed down as he reached the far end of the beach, near where the rocks started jutting out of the golden sands. After climbing over a fairly large rock, he looked down and spotted his target. Just a ways from the boy was a small alcove that faced the horizon. And sitting inside the alcove was a young girl, only a few years younger than the boy looking for her.
The boy climbed down the large rock that hid their secret hiding area from the rest of the beach. He jumped down the last couple feet and made his way to sit next to the girl.
After a few moments of her not making any comment to his arrival the boy spoke up in a soft voice, "You really should tell people before you disappear like that again. Your mom was really worried after she realized you weren't over at our place."
The girl said nothing in response, only burying her face further into her knees and wrapping her arms tighter around her legs. There were only sniffles coming from her now, but the boy could already tell she had been crying a lot harder earlier.
He sighed and scooted closer to the girl in order to wrap an arm around her small body. "Hey, everything's gonna be alright. You'll be fine. You're gonna be your super smart self and pass all those tests with flying colors and get into a super awesome college and become the best doctor in the history of forever."
The girls head whipped up to reveal bloodshot eyes and a runny nose. And most surprising to the boy, an angry glare that was directed at him. "That's not why I'm upset, you idiot. Do you really think I'm shallow enough to run away from my family because I'm worried about my test results?" The boy used his arm that was previously wrapped around the girl to ruffle her hair.
"Ok, now that you're finally talking to me, do you want to tell me the real reason you came all the way out here when you should be at home either packing or studying for those entrance exams coming up?" Her glare turned into a sad frown as she turned back to stare out at the sunset.
"It's just… Ugh, I don't know. It just feels like everything is changing all of the sudden. Like, it feels like just yesterday the hardest decision we had to make was what movie we wanted to watch for movie night. And now…" she trailed off.
"And now you're going off to the Garrison to be a freaking fighter pilot! And out of nowhere my mom decides to break the news that we're moving back up north. So now I have to leave my friends behind, just after starting high school nonetheless. Not to mention the fact that I might not even have the chance to finish high school! I knew that my mom was a strict tiger mom, but I didn't think that she would make me jump straight to college. I understand she's trying to look out for my future and only wishes the best for me, but I still want to enjoy my childhood, ya know?"
She sighed as she finished her rant and leaned so her head rested on her friend's shoulder. "It just feels like we're growing up too fast. Do you ever feel like that Lance?"
Lance chuckled and smirked down at her, "With your height? Don't worry you're still a long time away from becoming an adult with how slow you're growing."
The girl sat up and turned to slap Lance on the arm. "I'm trying to have a sentimental moment with you before we both leave and you're making fun of my height?! Ugh, I don't know why I even try with you anymore."
She pouted and crossed her arms over her chest as Lance laughed at her. He let out his last laugh as he crossed his legs and stared into the setting sun. It was almost dark now with only a sliver of the orange sun left on the horizon.
"Ya know, if I'm being totally honest though, I know how you feel. When I first got accepted into the Garrison to start training, at first I could only think about how cool it was to be accepted in to the freakin' Garrison. But after coming home on that first break, I realized I couldn't talk to my old friends the same way I used to. I couldn't spend as much time hanging out with them like I used to. And the time I spent at the Garrison only deepened the distance between us. Sometimes I wonder how my life would've been if I'd never went to the Garrison. Would I still have my old friends? My old life? Would I've been able to spend a bit more time being a kid and just enjoying life, rather than studying for simulation after simulation? Going to parties and movies instead of meetings and libraries."
"But the Garrison is your dream! You and I both know, even if you were given the choice you would still go to the Garrison in a heartbeat."
Lance smiled, "Exactly, and that's why you shouldn't let yourself be afraid of changes. My dream was to make it into the Garrison and become a fighter pilot and I'm making my way down that path. Your dream to become a doctor isn't going go anywhere if you're afraid of losing contact with your friends. And hey, if you're afraid of not being able to enjoy your youth, we still have the rest of the summer together don't we?"
The girl smiled softly and looked up at the now dark sky. It was a clear night and, as usual, the stars twinkled brightly with the moon providing any light that disappeared with the sunset.
"Yeah, we do."
Lance leaned back on his arms to look up at the stars with his friend. "One thing I do miss is this though. The desert may have stars, but nothing beats a night on the beach stargazing."
"I'm gonna miss this, too. I just wish I could see the stars up close, ya know? With me moving up to the city soon, there's almost no chance for me to see a clear sky like this for a while. City lights and pollution kinda ruin the mood."
"At least I don't have to worry about you kidnapping me in the middle of the night to go watch meteor showers with you. But hey, once I become a fighter pilot with my very own plane, I'll take you closer to the stars than you can ever dream of."
The girl snorted at his statement, "I don't think the Garrison would take too kindly on one of their pilots taking a plane for a joyride. Especially with an unauthorized childhood friend."
They both laughed and fell back onto the sand, gazing up at the starry night sky. "I might take you up on that offer, Sharpshooter. So you gotta promise me that you'll try your hardest to be the best fighter pilot ever, or I'll have to find someone else to sweep me away."
"Ha, like there would be anyone dumb enough to tolerate you that much."
"And yet, here you are. You must be the dumbest of them all if you stuck around for this long."
"You're right, but it was worth it."
They turned to face each other at the same time and their eyes met. Ocean blue eyes met honey brown ones. Lance broke eye contact as he pushed himself off the sand to get up. He brushed the sand off his shorts and offered a hand to the girl still sitting on the ground.
"Come on, its getting late and we haven't told anyone that I found you yet, so we'd better start heading back."
She took hold of his hand and he hoisted her up. She started to wipe the sand and dirt off her body.
"Ugh, one thing I won't miss is sand getting everywhere. I'm gonna be so happy the day I wake up and I don't have to dump sand out my shoes."
"Weren't you just complaining about how you didn't want to leave? So quick to try to get away, aren't cha?" Lance teased.
The girl started walking ahead and replied, "Of course, it was a miracle I've managed to put up with you as long as I have."
They laughed and continued down the beach for a little while before the girl turned around to face Lance. She had a sad smile and held up her hand with her thumb and pinky extended.
"Promise me you won't forget about me, Lance."
Lance smiled and looped his own pinky around hers and pulling their intertwined hands up towards his face to kiss his thumb. She did the same with her thumb.
"I wouldn't even dream of it, Nova."
So…? What'd you think? This chapter is just the prologue, the story will begin next chapter. I wanted to give a little background on Lance and Nova's relationship, but don't worry! This is gonna be a Klance story. It might be a bit of a slowburn, but we'll get there eventually. Tell me what you think in the reviews. I'll try to get the next chapter out by next week.
Until next time, this is WishingDayDreams signing off.