The world always seemed quieter on their hill, as if time itself slowed to listen. The night sky stretched endlessly above them, its canvas painted in deep indigos and speckled with stars that flickered like dying embers. A cool breeze rustled through the grass, carrying the scent of wildflowers and the distant murmur of the town below.
Emily lay on her back, her golden hair fanning out like a halo. She pointed up excitedly.
"Look, Alex! That one looks like a bunny!"
Alex tilted his head, frowning slightly. "A bunny? That just looks like a bunch of dots to me."
She groaned, turning onto her side to glare at him. "You have no imagination!"
He chuckled, watching the fire in her eyes. "Maybe you have enough for both of us."
They fell into a comfortable silence, their hands resting in the grass, just close enough for their fingers to brush. Emily let out a small sigh, her voice quieter this time.
"Do you think we'll still watch the stars together when we grow up?"
Alex turned his head to look at her. The question carried a weight that made his chest tighten.
"Of course." His voice was firm, steady. "No matter what happens, we'll always be together."
Emily plucked at a blade of grass, twisting it between her fingers. "Even if we have to go far away?"
"Even then," he reassured her, reaching for her hand this time. "We'll find our way back to each other. I promise."
A flicker of uncertainty passed through
her expression before she laced her pinky with his.
"Pinky promise?"
Alex didn't hesitate. He curled his pinky around hers, his grip firm despite how small their hands were.
"Pinky promise."
For a moment, it felt like the stars above had stopped just to bear witness to their vow. The night air was cool, but Alex felt warm beside her. Emily smiled, that wide, carefree grin that always made him feel like everything would be okay.
She turned back to the sky, her voice softer now. "I hope we never change, Alex. I hope we always stay like this."
Alex didn't answer right away. He wanted to believe it. He wanted to hold on to this night, to this feeling of endless time where nothing could ever take her away from him.
But deep in his chest, a quiet unease stirred—like the wind before a storm.
He tightened his pinky around hers, as if that simple gesture could keep the world from shifting beneath their feet.
"We won't change," he whispered. "I won't let anything take you away from me."
But fate had already made its decision.
The stars above shimmered coldly, watching two innocent souls make promises that neither of them knew they wouldn't be able to keep.