They were finally back home again, school was over and they had all summer to themselves. They ran through the forest just like they did when they were kids, with their hunting bows strapped to their backs. "Come on, Caleb," she shouted, almost in a teasing way. He wouldn't catch up, the forest was both of their element, but Esme was a woodland faerie and he didn't stand a chance against her. Her footsteps were feather like as she splashed her way through the creek, looking over her shoulder to see him falling behind.
The woods thickened and Esme took this moment to play a small prank on him. She climbed up into a short tree and by the time he came into view, he was whipping his head from side to side not sure where she had gone. She smirked, watching him from above, he looked just as lovely in the forest as she did.
"Boo!" she said as she jumped from her branch on the tree, landing just behind him. She beamed, as he turned around with a shocked, but thoroughly amused look on his face. "Oh you're gonna pay for that one!" he said and she tried to take off again, but not before he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Not so fast, Meme," he whispered in her ear, just like when they were kids.
He picked her up in his arms as she struggled to get free, "hope you wanted to go for a swim today," he smirked.
"Caleb! Don't you da-!" but it was too late and she splashed into the water and he sooned followed. She searched for the top of the spring, finally bursting into air, just to see his grinning face staring back at her. She sent a splash over his way, "hey!" he said, grabbing her and pulling her into his arms. "Not so great in the water are you, Pixie Dust?"
She glared, "you got my bow wet." He shook his head, staring her down with that look in his eyes that always seemed to make hers soften. She just couldn't stay mad at him, she leaned her forehead against his, "promise me something," she said, looking into his eyes, her face etched in worry.
His hand found her cheek, his thumb gliding along her cheek bone, "anything."
"You and me," she whispered, "day and night."
"Forever," he smirked, pushing her wet hair from her face and placing his lips against hers.
"Forever," she repeated, taking his hands in hers. A feeling of happiness and security weld up inside her, there was no one she needed more on this entire earth than the boy that was right in front of her. Like he said, she had her eyes set on him since the day they met.
They floated in the water, silently, holding each other, as if there was nothing better to do with their time. She closed her eyes, laying them against his soaked shirt, listening to the heart beat that laid just below.
The next time she woke up, it was in her room, a whole world away from him now. She curled up with her pillow to her chest, burying her face in her covers, missing him more than he could ever know, more than he could ever possibly feel. The only thing she wanted, was to find her way back to him and never be forced to leave him again.