5 years later…

Loki

Beep beep beep beep!

"Ughhh…"

I opened an eye and was met by the angry red glare of the numbers on my alarm clock's display which spelled out "5:50 a.m." I sat up, slapped the clock to silence it, and then ran a hand through my tousled black bedhead. I yawned widely and looked around sleepily.

Dude…weird dream…

I shook my head to rid it of the overhanging haze of sleep and slid out of bed. I stood up and stretched towards the ceiling, then twisted back and forth to pop my back. Sunlight was filtering in around the edges of my shade and I sighed. Winter brought its' bright mornings and darker evenings, reminding me I needed to get moving.

Stupid Mondays… I growled in my head as I slipped into the bathroom and closed the door.

Jayden

Beep beep beep beep!

My eyes flew open and I bounced out of bed almost banging my head against the wall and tripping over whatever was lying on my bedroom floor.

Gah, I really am so clumsy! I thought warily, as I untangled a pair of sweatpants from around my ankles.

My phone began buzzing upon my nightstand, where it scooted across the smooth wood, collided with my Bible, then clattered to the floor. I winced at the loud noise.

And my phone is just as clumsy!

I bent down and retrieved it, checking the blaring screen to see "New Txt from Krys!" I couldn't help beaming as I clicked "OK" and the words were displayed.

"Good morning Sunshine! Pffft- already almost sprained my ankle on the stairs AGAIN. Can you text Loki and Autumn to meet me and Ivan at the field at school this morning? You come too, DUH. ;) Anyways, see ya then!"

I couldn't help but laugh.

"No worries girl!" I typed in reply. "I already almost hit my head on the wall and tripped on whatever foreign objects are on my floor. And I will, you can count on it! See ya! "

"Ahahaha! Oh Jay, you're too much ;) And okay Mr. Loyal! Get moving!"

Loki

I stepped out from the steamy shower and toweled myself off, feeling awake and less grumpy. I dried my hair and hung my towel up before pulling on my clothes. I tugged my dark blue jeans on and secured them with a belt before slipping on my black T-shirt that read "Not of This World", a reference to a favorite Bible verse of mine. I opened and exited the bathroom just as the sound of my ringtone filled the air as my phone's screen lit up. I intercepted the phone and hit the "OK" button. The song was silenced and the text opened.

"Hey dude! Just passing on from Krys we're meeting at the field this morning. Hope you slept well…and didn't almost kill yourself getting out of bed. And Krys told me to tell Autumn too, but I think you would like the privilege of doing that ;) See you."

I chucked and quickly replied with:

"Dude, it's a miracle I didn't! Yeah, I slept well, thanks. Just had a weird dream…can't really remember it. And yes, I will text Autumn. Thank you, kind sir, for giving me this wonderful task. (Let's hope I don't get you for it ;) ) Thanks again, and see you too!"

Autumn

Okay, okay…backpack, books, iPod, cell, notebook…

I dashed around my room in a frenzy, checking to make sure everything was in order and I wasn't forgetting a single thing.

Whoo, got everything! I celebrated and snatched up my book bag and iPod, getting my fingers caught in a tangled mess of earphone cord. I left my room and shut the door, sticking a foot in the way of my incoming ragamuffin cat, Sailor.

"Nuh-uh-uh Mister! You can't go in there and eat my homework…AGAIN."

Sailor purred as I scooped him up and carried him into the living room, where I gently dropped him on the couch and planted a kiss on his whiskers.

"Bye Mom!" I called as I swept the car keys into my palm, hopped down the stairs, and stepped out my front door into the cool December air. I breathed in a wonderful lungful and slowly exhaled, feeling peace in my heart.

Okay. No nightmares. Two panic attacks. No worries. Monday morning. I can do this. Breathe in. Breathe out. God is with you Autumn Faith Roe.

I smiled happily, and then made my way towards the car, until the vibration of my phone stopped me. I pulled it out of my coat pocket and checked the display. Loki. I smiled wide and giggled.

"Hey girl. Hope you slept peacefully. Just wanted to let you know that Krys, Iv, Jay, and I are meeting at the field this morning. Drive safely and I will see you soon."

I blushed a little, and slipped the phone back into my pocket, the familiar fizziness sparking up in my heart. I splashed through the puddles of glistening rain from last night's shower and got into the car.

Krys

"Iv! Iv, over here!" I yelled.

Ivan looked up startled and spotted me. He grinned, smiled wide, and waved, beginning to make his way toward me. I smiled, waved back, and then tucked a strand of brown-blonde hair behind my right ear. I sat on the tree branch, swinging my feet, and humming along to a worship song stuck in my head. Ivan dropped his backpack at the base of the tree and beamed up at me. He reached up to my branch being almost 7 feet tall, and I looked into his shy-violet eyes.

"Well hello handsome," I giggled. "How are you?"

"Much better thank you, my kind Miss K. Not sick anymore, praise God, and feeling great."

He smiled softly and gently helped me out of the tree. Then he sat down in the dewy morning grass and plucked a dandelion, which he began to play with. I sat down next to him and pulled my sketchbook out of my bag. Ivan curiously glanced up as I opened the black cover to a fresh, crisp page and began to illustrate him.

"Am I that interesting?" he inquired with a lopsided smile.

"Yes," I smiled as I concentrated on my pencil strokes. "Just continue what you're doing."

"Whatever you say одуванчик," Ivan chuckled and continued twisting the dandelion around his gloved fingers.

I smiled and continued sketching. A door slamming and a familiar chirp of a locking car snapped me out of my drawing. Coming out of the parking lot immerged a beaming, sweet face atop a small figure clad in Caspian blue, outlining the frill of a white petticoat peeking out from underneath. Autumn had arrived.

Loki

I drove down the tree lined streets, and bursts of mahogany, rusty orange, and sunny yellow met my eyes in a kaleidoscope of fall hues. I couldn't help but be in awe of God's majestic painting skills. I smiled and thanked Him for the beauty of autumn and winter as I turned into the parking lot. As I did, I saw Ivan, Krys, and Autumn all sitting around the base of Krys' favorite tree, laughing and talking. I softly smiled to myself and also thanked Him for the beauty of another certain type of autumn…this time…not exactly the season. I looked up again and studied the picture of them all, all friends, all brothers and sisters in Christ, all affectionate and caring for one another. Then I realized something…

"Where's Jayden?" I asked myself, scanning the range of this moment.

The boy was nowhere in sight.