V. Unbreakable
The young couple was cuddling in a remote grove of trees, cherry blossoms littering the ground like rose petals. It was just before dusk, the sky stained a vibrant orange and bright pink by the setting sun. The couple had driven here in the girl's car hours ago, coming directly from school.
"I can't wait until tomorrow," May exclaimed, voice filled with anticipation. "Why can't morning just come already?"
Ash chuckled. "But waiting is half the fun. That's why I love Christmas Eve."
"And that's why I hate Christmas Eve."
This only made him laugh harder, and May smiled as well. He reached over, and their finger intertwined.
"Well, I'm going to savor every moment now," Ash said softly.
His girlfriend sighed dreamily. "I still can't believe you asked me to prom."
It had happened suddenly, while they were at dinner with a few friends. Ash whispered in her ear, and she squealed so loud the lady at the table beside them accidently knocked over her drink, earning them a glare.
May grinned at the memory, squeezing his hand tightly.
"I'm so excited, Ash. It'll be the night of our lives."
He squeezed back, saying, "Yeah, but tonight's not so bad either. I wish I could freeze time and stay here a little while longer. It's relaxing, lying still, calm wind blowing, the stars peeking out."
"When did you get so romantic?" she asked, playfully shoving him.
"I learned from the best," he replied, eyes sparkling gleefully.
They remained silent then, each relishing the other's company. Finally, Ash rose.
"It's getting late. We better head home."
May looked up to argue, but took notice of the sky behind him. It was an unfathomable blue, so dark it was almost black, and the stars shone like diamonds adorning a dress. She sprang up with a jolt, crying out.
"Crap! I needed to pick up Max from his friend's house. I totally forgot!"
Ash shrugged. "No problem, I'll walk home."
She glanced at him, worry clear on her face. "But it's so dark out, Ash."
He waved off her warning, "I'll be fine."
"Promise," she insisted. "Promise me you will get home and tale me to prom."
"I promise," he said softly, auburn eyes glowing. He placed a hand on her cheek. "With a love as unbreakable as ours, how could I miss it?"
At this May smiled gently. "Thanks."
And so they went their separate ways.
"New this morning. Teenage boy found dead in the street after being struck by a van late last night. The driver has been taken into custody, and there are no words on what he will be charged with."
Those three sentences, those thirty-three words, have broken the unbreakable.
He promised was her mantra. That's what she thought when she was hit by sympathetic looks. That's what she thought when she sat alone, crushed by grief. And that's what she thought when she strode confidently through the double doors, corsage on her wrist and hand over her heart.
You promised. You wouldn't break a promise.