Chapter 2

I write down my finishing time into the staff log book. My hand briefly brushing the pocketed letter promising Zackd hidden in my jeans pocket. I fold up the apron It see me when he came back. I find a small bench and sit down while I watch the sun send a rainbow across the sky. I bow my head for a moment hoping the rainbow meant good fortune for the many soldiers, both here and elsewhere, and that they would see their loved ones again soon.

With each passing moment I could feel my heart beats getting quicker with the anticipation of his return. It was still a little early I thought, fingering the letter that have moved from my pocket to my hands and it had only been 30 minutes since het think It known I was holding and smile. Zack matched my smile as he came closer and closer... before falling flat on his face as he tripped on the step just ahead of where IAh, I must have hit my head harder then I thoughtWhat?Well, I must be in heaven, m looking at an angelThat has got to be one of the corniest things a guy has ever said to me... but I like itHereI, uh, searched all over town for a gift that could come anywhere near meeting your beautyUh, yeah, pink surely suits you missThankyouBy the way, my name

Zack sounds it out slowly.

I let go of his hand and give him a playful shove. He starts jogging backwards as I chase him, both of us laughing loudly.

I stop chasing as we pass a patch of tulips, my favourite flowers. Zack notices me pausing to look at them. His blue eyeDo you think that I look pretty with the flower in my hair hmm?NoI think it. Ill have to be careful or his charming demeanour will catch me off guard far too frequently.

s something about you that just makes me want to chase after youOh really?Well, then why don I laugh at Zack's momentarily quizzical expression. I take deliberate backward steps along the road, keeping his eyes locked on mine. Finally he follows suit, with a grin widening on his face, taking one slow deliberate step, then another and then a quicker one in pace with mine. I turn, laughing loudly, as I run towards the beach with Zack closing the gap between us quickly.

In a matter of moments Zack catches up. I slow down thinking hes in-front of me. For a second I wonder what his plans are but Im lifted up over his shoulder. I laugh hard as Zack walks towards the pier with me over his shoulder as though I weighed nothing.

re a funny guy you knows comfortably broad shoulder. Zack puts on a hurt look for a moment before grinning.

He puts me down and I look forward to see the sandy hills that surround the beach near the pier.

We climb over the top of the sand banks and Zack looks in awe at the ocean and the pier, the sun was already in the last quarter of the sky and hinting at the vibrant sunset the smattering of clouds left in the sky would make before it finished its chest height when it reached the water. Zack lifts me up high and sits me effortlessly on the pierYou know what?Mmm, what?I bet you got a boyfriend, but I don He looks at me, and his eyes send a charge through me as they always seem to.

The idea that for once it could be me who has the man writing back when before it has always been my friends, to actually have this man, Zack, writing back to me? It was all too unreal for me to absorb. Ive liked it too. But something about Zack makes me curious and want to try.

I smile at Zack as I come back from my thoughts, t have a boyfriendReally?You know what Aerith?Mmm? What?I want to come back here and sit with you watching the sun set over this beach once the war is over. I

I feel ZackZackYeah?I want you to come back here and sit with me watching the sun fall again and againSo...That was my alarm, my bus is leaving in an hour. We have to get back to the bus stop or I. He said, the sentence getting quieter and quieter as he said it. His shoulders slumped slightly, and turned back. Facing away from me.

I get up and I walk calmly up behind him and when I reach him I wrap my arms around his waist from behind, resting my head against his back.

d far rather be here with you; even if it was only for another hour.You would get in so much trouble though... You know I I say, barely audible, but as his head nodded I knew he heard me.

His hands took mine and he undid the hug, before turning around to face me and hugging me properly.

Silently we released each other and walked together to his bags. He picked up the largest one, and I took the smaller. Without a word he took my hand and we walked together back to the bus station. Nothing had been so quite and yet still felt so comfortable to me before. And while we didns met and I stepped forward and stood on my toes and kissed him. The whistle sounded and he picked up his last bag, held my hand for a moment longer tracing my cheek and he kissed me on the cheek in turn, the gentleman he is before releasing my hand, turning his face away and letting his steps take him away.

Tears blotch the envelope, unopened, in my hands. I raise one hand and wipe away the tears, momentarily brushing the pink ribbon I now never leave home without. The letter under my hand is addressed to me. My name and address written in the senders scrawling hand.

The sender.

Zack.

I ever so carefully begin to open the envelope...