Story Time

A Moment

Just back from the old wooden dock, the trees cast long shadows that reached out for the water's edge. The brazen colours of the sunrise filtered through the gaps in the trees, the light echoing around the sky creating a warm atmosphere on the windy, overcast day. One of the most peaceful days in a while. The crunch of footsteps on the ground could be heard from the distance, along with the scuttering of animals running away from the approaching person, slightly disturbing the peace.

She approached the clearing, the trees thinning out and opening into the space surrounding the lake. The water rippled slightly from the wind blowing every now and then. The trees in the distance eased over the hills and gullies spreading as far as the eye could see. It offered a familiarity she hadn't felt in a long time. She slowly came to a stop. There she stood, looking over to the other side, admiring the place she knew so well. She was home. This was where she had found her peace. She had spent endless afternoons, summer breaks and weekends here with her best friend jumping off the dock, splashing each other and having no other worries in the world. They had grown up here together.

As she stood looking over the lake, soft rain misted onto her head and caused the sun to get lost behind the clouds.

The day it had happened always played on repeat in her head. They were driving home from college, singing their favourite songs at the top of their lungs, getting distracted by each other. They were best friends, always had been, always would be. Their lives were carefree and young.

The trees were dancing past the windows, flying at such a speed that they became a blur. The lines on the road disappearing underneath the car. The reflector posts disappearing too fast to be counted.

Suddenly, a loud horn blared, forcing their eyes back to the road. They were on the wrong side. Another car was coming towards them. He tried to get back on the right side of the road.

But it was too late.

They spun out.

That was the day her life had changed for the worse. If she hadn't started to sing, if she hadn't distracted him he would still be here. Since then, she had been hiding from the world. Staying at home, throwing away even the smallest thing that would remind her of him.

Photos.

Presents.

Clothes.

A year later she had finally made her way back to their oasis. The memories of every day they had spent there slowly flooded back. There was a reason she hadn't been there for so long.

After such a long time, she finally felt at peace again. She felt like he was there with her. He would always be there with her. No matter what. Just like they had promised.

The clouds parted, the sun shining through, causing the shadows to crawl over the ground.

A few meters away she heard footsteps approaching. Into the clearing stepped, a familiar looking boy. The same eyes green, the same hair black, the same freckled smile spreading across his face. Her smile grew on her face as tears started to fall. They both stood there staring for a moment.

Slowly, they began walking towards each other.

She had been dreaming of this moment for the past year. The moment that she finally got to see her best friend again.

They reached each other. He felt as soft as the air that surrounded her. His head leaning on top of her, like always.

There, in that moment, they were finally reunited. As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment. And finally, she was at peace again. 

I really like this story so I hope you do too. Let me know what you think of it.