It was the first day of summer and even though it was getting late the streets were still filled with people. There were friends walking in groups, vendors pushing their carts, and music in the air. It would be a long walk from Emyd's party to the cliffs but Rae didn't mind. A part of her was glad to be gone from the party; it had been a romanticized idea in her head one that didn't meet her expectations. Rae liked her friends from school but she felt most comfortable with Lea and Isa they were like her family. She decided she much preferred their Sea Salt Ice-cream sunsets to parties.

When she had first told Isa and Lea she was going to the party instead of spending the day with them part of her had hoped they would have any other reaction than acceptance. She wanted to hear them ask her not to go, but they didn't. I guess that's what makes them good friends she surmised as she continued walking through the streets making her way to the cliff lined fields.

She walked past restaurant patios with people dining outside; most places had turned on their outdoor lights in preparation for the evening. As Rae walked she couldn't help but smile when she passed the fountains. Each of their summers were marked with one or two stand out adventures and the day they played on the ledges of the fountain would always be a favorite memory of hers. They were so young then. As Rae walked she passed seven years of memories.

She looked up at the castle; it wasn't too much further up the street. I wonder what their big prank was? She thought.

Rae walked into the castle courtyard and found a bench on the upper ledge. As she sat looking up trying to figure out what was different she listened to the small fountains surrounding the area. She stayed for a long time unable to find anything. The castle was in the center of the town and the buildings that surrounded blocked most of the wind making her all the more aware of how hot a day it was.

Rae knew she needed to be on her way if she was going to make it in time to watch the sunset. Poor Lea, he was so excited about their prank and she was going to have to disappoint him by telling him she had no idea what it was. She raised her hands running them through her hair. Her curls had lost their bounce and her hair was beginning to stick to the back of her neck. She secured her long brown hair with the tie she had on her wrist before standing and starting again for the cliffs.

She walked with a renewed purpose excited to see her friends. She promised herself she would never miss the first day of summer with them again. As Rae walked she allowed her mind to wander to dream of the adventures they would have that summer. She dreamed of sand and sea breezes. The beach, she would make sure they all went to the beach she decided.

When Rae reached the last ice-cream vendor before the cliffs she paused and looked for Isa and Lea. They must be waiting in the field she thought continuing on. When she made it to their spot she was a bit surprised to find it empty except for the wildflowers moving in the wind. She sat and waited for her friends this wasn't the latest they had been but they were cutting it close. Rae looked out ahead of her judging it would only be ten minutes before the sun began to set.

It was exceptionally dark and cold as Rae rose from the grass; she was alone. An uneasy feeling settled inside of her as she walked home. She was aware of how quiet her surroundings were and she didn't like it. Her two friends had not come to watch the sunset with her.

The entire walk back was a blur Rae was all but consumed by her thoughts as she wove her way through the streets. Why didn't Isa and Lea come to watch the sunset? Maybe they were mad she had gone to the party. She hadn't thought them upset or that petty but it would at least explain why they hadn't shown up. Maybe that's what Lea was trying to tell her this morning. I bet Isa is the one that's upset with me he's always one for following rules and traditions and he probably felt like she was breaking their tradition. Rae had never upset Isa before at least not really they had had their squabbles but nothing of this nature. That's why Lea was struggling to find the words he was always the one championing friendship and to see Isa mad at her was probably upsetting him. She would make things right in the morning she decided as she walked into her shared room.