Pink

A girl skipped along the beaten path, weaving through the forest, on a sunny autumn day. Hundreds of sunset-hued leaves fell from the canopy, waltzing around her like brightly colored dancers. She held her wool sweater closer to her, as a chilly wind breezed past, sending the trees swaying and whispering the song of coming winter. The girl brushed her wispy pink bangs from her face and continued along the trail. Soon she came upon a lake, black as night. Its surface mirrored the canopy above, making the trees appear at an awing height. This was the secret spot where she was to meet her best friend, a boy of the same village, whom she had known for all her life.

Hurriedly, she hopped down a small hill lined with stones and stopped at the foot of a giant cedar. She watched the red leaves fall into piles at her feet, smiled and picked them off of her rosy shoes. Carefully the girl collected them in her arms then threw them into the air, bouncing off the protruding roots and landing a few feet away, closer to the lake. The girl walked over to the muddy shore and watched for water bugs and small fish. Wide-eyed, she saw a solitary fish, bright orange with black splotches, lazily swimming over to her. It stared at her with one big amber eye, its mouth opening and closing slowly. The girl stared back at the old fish, not noticing the figure sneaking up behind her.

"Look out for leeches!" a voice cried. The girl looked up to see a writhing black creature dangling above her head. She screamed and swatted it away, knocking the person holding it into the lake. Whirling around, she saw it was her friend, the one she had been waiting for, sopping wet and muddy with lake water. His long black hair, tied in a white wrap, was covered in lake weed, and his face with mud, but his eyes sparkled and he laughed shrilly. The girl helped him to his feet, apologizing for the messy accident. He returned it saying he was sorry for scaring her with the leech.

Having now come together at last, the twosome explored the shore of the lake, climbing the weaving oaks and willows and cherry trees, listening to the birds singing and the whisper of the wind. They fished in the shallows of the lake, picked berries off the bushes nearby and laughed and played for hours. The boy picked a bouquet of bright flowers for his friend, which she delighted in.

He led her to a special little spot they always visited on fall days, a golden waterfall, shining in the autumn sun, sending every drop of water aglow. They climbed up to a rock face overlooking the vast hills and valleys that made up the countryside. It was a peaceful and beautiful scene. The boy sat down next to her, happily sighing in the warm sunshine. The girl toyed with her bangs coyly, smelling the beautiful flowers he had given her. The boy enlightened the moment as he began to tell her stories. He told tales of the sun, the bright blue sky, and the rushing water, the animals of the forest and people who befriended them. The girl smiled as she listened. She crept over to his side and leaned toward him gently. Staring into his face, she marveled at the words coming from his mouth, the shine in his amber eyes, and the streaks of sunbeams in his dark, feathery hair.

She had always loved the boy; from the minute she had laid eyes upon him. Everything about him enchanted and delighted her, and she enjoyed every minute of his company. He was always friendly toward her, cheery and protective, helpful and kindhearted. One time he helped her when she hurt her foot while running down a rocky hill. He had fetched medicine from the forest to ease the soreness and carried her all the way back to the village to her home. She had never forgotten that day, and she loved him for what he did. However, she never knew if he felt the same way. She wished he would tell her how he felt about her. Then she decided that he would probably do so in his own time, so she simply listened to his stories until it came time to return to the village.

Side-by-side they walked together down the path that led to their home. The girl eyed her friend now and then, sighing internally because he wouldn't hold her hand. As if he had read her mind somehow, the boy suddenly looked over at her, saw the gloom in her eyes, and took her hand. She looked at him surprised but he only smiled and continued walking.

Before they rounded the bend into the village, the boy stopped suddenly and turned to look at the girl. His eyes were filled with brightness and he smiled sweetly at her. He hopped over a bush and into the forest, popping up moments later with something concealed behind him. The girl watched is amazement as he brought out a golden flower, bright as the sun, glittering with dewdrops in the setting sunlight. He gave it to her as the finally touch to her bouquet. As if not surprised enough by the enchanting gift, the girl gasped as the boy smiled gleefully, leaned closer toward her and kissed her softly on her cheek. Then, suddenly his eyes went wide with embarrassment and quick as lightning he bounded away toward the village, fast as his legs could carry him.

The girl stood there confused, wondering what had just happened. After a few moments, it dawned upon her that the boy she loved had just told her how he felt about her. She giggled blissfully, stroked the blessed gold flower and skipped down the path to the village, tickled...

...Pink.