Corpus Civilization

Cambodia

The day had been quite eventful so far.

But as a foreigner that needed her rest, Willow wished desperately for a break, if not for her, then for her sore feet at the very least. In the end, however, it really just depended on Lucia.

Her best friend had recently broken up with her partner of three years. While it had been a mutual agreement, Willow knew that Lucia was still hurting and needed some time away from everything that reminded her of her significant other. So they'd packed up and come [nearly] across the world to Cambodia to get some nature on their skin.

While it had been Willow's plan, Lucia seemed to enjoy it, so Willow had gone along, trailing after her friend as they rode and bathed elephants. And that was just today. Other days, they'd tried a variety of foods, ones that Willow only pretended to like, because, really, she just couldn't handle the change. But she hadn't complained, because it was for Lucia, who had done so much for her, that this was the least she could offer back.

"Willow!" Lucia's shout made her jump, turning to face the open door and dropping the foot she was massaging.

It didn't take long before Lucia appeared in the doorway, looking absolutely fresh in an off-shoulder dress that hung till her knees.

"Aw, Lucy!" Willow exclaimed, standing up and clapping her hands in glee. "That looks so good on you."

"Thank you." Lucia bowed with a flourish and the two burst out in giggles. "Now, what are you going to wear?"

"Me? Are we going somewhere?" Willow's eyes widened in surprise at the thought.

Lucia didn't reply, instead skipping over to the closet and rifling through the clothes. Willow watches as her friend hums at every cloth she picks, yet never really chooses something.

"Where are we going, Lucy?"

"Oh, I found this place I wanted to try out." Lucia hums again, this time pulling out a white halter top and a pair of shorts. "Here, wear this. I'll wait outside."

And that's that. Lucia leaves, and Willow changes, wondering when she became so mindless. Perhaps a month-long vacation wasn't the best idea.

It isn't long before Willow is dragged out of the house they'd rented, and into the bustling marketplaces they go. They walk, and Willow wonders how long she has to walk in order to have blisters on her feet. They stop in front of a store that oddly reminds her of home, the aromas of sweet, sweet, dark coffee wafting out onto the street.

Upon entering, Willow shakes herself out of her homesickness; the decor or furniture is nothing like home.

The two girls take a seat in a booth shoved into the sides, wide windows open, a look out at the calm beauty of the place. A waiter comes, setting down wine coloured menus in front of them and leaving them to discover another new world of food.

Except, when the menu opens, it's not unfamiliar dishes with names too hard to pronounce. This time, it's dishes that Willow's tried and loves. Her eyes shine at the opportunity to at last feel like at home, to sip on a milkshake topped with enough sugars to give a toothache, to bite into a hamburger so delicious that even drool is left uncared for.

The waiter comes back, this time a notepad and pen in hand and Willow's fingers twitch because she wants to point at this, this, this and everything. It takes her a while to settle on something that won't cause her to bloat to the point of bursting and the waiter rushes away in a flurry of whirling papers and clothes, leaving the girls to stare at each other.

"Like it?" Lucia asks, flourishing a hand.

"You knew?" It is both a question and a statement, one Willow makes boldly.

"Of course I knew." Lucia scoffs. "I am your best friend and just like you recognized my broken heart, I recognized yours."

"Thank you." Willow's sincere voice makes the moment even more special.

"Of course."

The rest of their wait is spent in light conversation and giggles and discussion of the good memories of their past.

Once the food is placed on their table, they dig in, sips and bites exchanged rather than words. Fifteen minutes later, they're out into the evening, walking slowly in the sand that lines the beach. Their melodic whispering pauses when they spot a man sitting on a boat.

After a little bit of persuasion, and maybe a bit of guilt tripping, the two make their way over to the man. He stands as they walk over and after exchanging a few words, they all settle in the rickety boat, ready to cast off. The man rows and the girls watch, in awe of being on the ocean in the night when they'd never imagine to be.

They don't go far into the water, just lingering a few meters away from the shoreline. Willow, dips her fingers in the water, feeling the water curl over her fingers, a playful playmate. She doesn't see it in the dark, but Lucia is smiling from ear to ear at her best friend. She'd planned this out since the beginning of the day; take Willow for a bit to eat at someplace that reminded her of home, then take her to the water, one of her deepest loves. Except, this water had something special about it and Lucia was desperately hoping that Willow would like this unexpected surprise.

Whispering quietly to the owner of the boat, Lucia confirmed her suspicions and relaxed back into the boat, a hand out in the water as well. She watched as her friend splashed in the water, face nearly glowing in pure happiness.

And it was then that Lucia spotted the first glow.

"Willow!" Lucia's hands grab at her best friend, jostling her out of her trance. "Look, look!" the excitement in her voice seeps into her entire body, thrumming with thrill. Her hand shakes as she points at the water.

Willow looks in the direction of her finger and gasps.

The water is slowly lighting up, a bright blue that lights up the entire place.

"What...what is that?"

"Bioluminescent algae." the boat man says, surprising the two. Willow's hand slips and her arm dunks in the water, lighting up the water near their boat. When she brings her arm out, it's glowing, a soft blue pulse.

"It's so magical."

---

By Jem