**Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who favorited or is following this story! It really means a lot to me, especially since this is my first Fanfic and it already has so many views! :D And thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Your input is truly appreciated. I am always open for suggestions & constructive criticism. You guys rock! Anyways, I hope you will enjoy this chapter. 3
Chapter 2
As the beginnings of June roll along, the weather in Moonhaven has started to gradually change. The temperature hovers around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and is steadily increasing. All the plants are in full bloom, and the buzzing bees fly leisurely from flower to flower, collecting sweet nectar with each visit. The congregations of gnats huddling near the ground in the afternoon reveal the heat that will soon consume the forest.
The sun beats down on the leafmen's heads when they fly above the trees. Nod was never aware of how truly hot the summers in the area were until he became old enough to ride a bird above the treetops that so conveniently shaded the forest. Plus, being only two inches tall, Nod could enjoy the cool, damp soil's embrace whenever he felt like lounging about all day.
Thankfully, enough sunlight could shine through the trees' leaf canopies in order to bring life to the forest, but Nod had never considered how hot it must be for a stomper. After flying outside of the forest's protection, Nod had felt a wave of heat overcome him as he traveled to the professor's house. A bead of sweat trickles down the side of his face. He wipes it away with his hand and urges his bird forward. He can hardly contain the excitement building up inside of him.
Today is the day, he thought. The day I finally get to see her.
A smile stretches across his face. He is so excited that he barely even notices the heat any more. Memories of the last conversation he had with the girl of his dreams flood his mind…
"I'm so sorry, Nod. I've just been so busy," the girl with red hair said, her eyebrows scrunched together in apology, a frown adorning her face. Nod lifted up his hands reassuringly.
"It's okay. Really, it is. I understand. Things have been pretty hectic over here too."
"I promise I will make it up to you. When it's summer again, I'll have more free time. We can hang out more then."
"… It won't really be hanging out because we won't be together," Nod said sadly as he looked down at his feet.
"Hey, don't be like that. You know it's easier if we just talk through my dad's cameras."
"Well, yeah, easier for you," he scoffed while crossing his arms and looking away from her.
"Nod, please don't be upset. I miss you too," M.K. sighed. Nod peaked up from under his eyelashes. He could clearly see the sadness etched into her face. He picked his head up and looked into her eyes.
Such sadness, such longing dwelled in those green orbs.
Nod sighed in defeat and dropped his arms. "I miss you so much, M.K." he said, the desperation clear in his voice. M.K.'s eyebrows scrunched together even further, if that was possible. She took a short intake of breathe, and her mouth opened as if she was going to say something. She seemed to be at a loss for words because she closed her mouth again.
"When will you be back?" he asked. "June sixth," she replied. "Okay, I'll be there." M.K. nodded in return. "Well… I guess I'll see you later…"she said. "Yeah, see you later…" He turned to leave. "Nod!" M.K. burst out. His head quickly turned back to face her. "Yes?"
"I'll miss you."
He nodded, "I'll miss you too, M.K."
They stared at one another for a few moments before M.K. said in a rush, "Bye!" and hurriedly turned off the monitor. On Nod's side, the camera went dark, and all he saw was his own reflection in its lens. His mouth gaped open. He had been so close this time, so close to telling her something that had been consuming his mind for what seemed like ages.
"I love you," he stated to the love of his life, but she could not hear his confession.
Nod slowly opens his eyes to look ahead, no longer enthralled in his memories. A faint frown tugs at the corners of his lips; the last time he had talked to M.K. had been pretty emotional, not the happy rendition he had hoped. Now that she's back, Nod could experience the joyful reunion he longed for.
He hopes she had not changed her plans and decided to spend the summer at a friend's house like she had during that week in the spring. What had she called it? A spring "get-away." A get-away from what? Him? Nod often felt entirely confused when thinking about the complex world of the stompers. Some of their terminology completely baffled him.
He squints his eyes to take in less of the neon-orange setting sun. Shifting his gaze upwards, his eyes take in the collage of colors painted in the afternoon sky. The hot pinks near the sun, the purples and greens of the clouds, and the faded blues all capture his every sense.
He wishes he could fly that high, touch the cool, water-soaked clouds and watch the diamond stars glisten in the deep blue sky brought about by the night. He wishes he could fly up there with M.K. and experience nature in a different way. Perhaps one day they will take the plunge together and dance among the clouds. For now, he is content to just see her. With each passing moment, he comes closer to the giant house she lives in.
With each moment, he grows closer to gazing into her mesmerizing green eyes. Nod has trouble reining in the jubilant, goofy smile off his face. Well, let's just hope she's as excited as I am.
The house finally comes into plain view, and he is a measly ten feet from it. He reaches the windowsill and dismounts his bird, patting it affectionately on the head. He peers through the window; the professor is nowhere in sight. That doesn't mean he's not blundering around somewhere else, Nod thinks with a chuckle.
Luckily, the professor always leaves the window open a few inches, which allows to easily walk under it. He enters the house and listens for any signs of movement: Nothing. The excitement evades him just as quickly as it came. His face melts into disappointment. Just as he starts to turn around, the front door opens, and he can hear some chatter floating in from the hall. A memorable laugh fills the air, and although it is in slow-motion to Nod, he can still recognize it as M.K.'s.
It's the kind of laugh she gives after a particularly funny joke, or rather, whenever Nod would obscenely embarrass himself with his outrageous attempts to impress her. It's the kind of laugh that rings true; one not forced or heavy with the death of her mother. Nod had heard that laugh many times as well, and each time the sadness of it reached his ears, he could feel his heart ripping in two.
If only I could make the pain she carries go away. She deserves to be happy.
He knows, however, that M.K. will never truly be over the death of her mother. She may be able to accept it, move on with her life, and learn to be happy again- knowing that her mom would want her to- but the pain will never fully go away. Nod understands this from personal experience, having lost his father and never knowing this mother.
He hopes that by sharing the similar pain, they can be each other's crutches and win the race to happiness. He will help her travel through the mud, sticks, and rain of the trail, knowing that the warm sun lies at the end. The trail they follow may be a winding, confusing path that no one else dare follow, but they will never take the easy way out. They both understand that you have to work for what you want regardless of what it is.
Whether they arrive there before everyone else, or much later, does not matter to him. He knows that one day he and his love will surpass all of them in happiness.
**Note: So there's chapter two! How'd you guys like it? Any comments? Suggestions? Critiques? Please feel free to review and tell me what you think! I will try to update soon. :D