Short Story Collection

Fireworks, send me home.

"I've always loved fireworks," I sigh, placing my head on my brother's shoulder.

"I know you have Lacie," He laughs.

I watch as another firework whistles up and explodes in an array of colors, the familiar loud boom reaches my ears and I smile. The wind carries the smokey scent towards us, I take a deep breath as the wind ruffles my light brown hair. The winds are changing and there is a crisp chill in the air tonight. I burrow deeper into the light green hoodie.

"Lacie! Jonah! Come on, it's getting late!" Our roommate calls from the apartment.

I sigh and throw a sideways glance at Jonah, we stand up and fold up the blanket we were sitting on as well as the ones we had wrapped ourselves in. I hop down off the roof, my feet coming in contact with the metal fire escape, I reach up for the blankets. Jonah hands them to me and then joins me on the fire escape.

We go down a few flights of stairs then duck into our window, I accidentally bash my head into the window. I grimace and rub the back of my head.

"You good LJ?" Tammy asks from the kitchen.

"Yup, fine," I say, still rubbing my head as I drop the blankets into the basket by the couch.

"How were the fireworks?"

"Amazing as always," I answer, sneaking behind her and stealing a piece of the apple she's cutting up.

She swats at my hand trying to get the apple but I dance out of the way putting the slice in my mouth giving her a smug smile.

"Well there's a letter for you on the table," She points to it with the knife.

My heart flutters, I walk over and see that it is indeed the letter I have been waiting for. I pick up the letter for the US Army. I slide my finger through the paper and lift out the paper. My eyes skim over the letter only looking for one part.

"I was accepted!" I shriek.

"Congrats LJ," Tammy says walking past me.

"Thanks, Tams," I say, going back through and thoroughly reading the letter.

"When do you have to report?" Jonah asks from behind me.

I hold up a finger, my eyes still dancing over the page.

"August 7th," I answer.

My brother wraps me in a giant bear hug, I smile into his shoulder, my heart soaring high.

-Time Skip: To August 7th at the Airport-

I drop my backpack at my feet and turn and run back to my brother and girlfriend. I hug my brother as he engulfs me in a hug, I can feel tears drip into my hair. I look up at him, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes.

"Come back safe to us okay, LJ," He says, hugging me tighter.

"Of course Jonah," I answer him. He releases me and I turn to Tammy.

She in turn hugs me, tears staining my shoulder.

"I'll see you soon Tams," I say as the final call for my flight is called.

They wave as I run to my terminal grabbing my bag as I run past it. I board the plane with tears running down my face, I'm happy that I got into the military cause I'm serving just like my dads did. I just hope I make it home.

I settle into my seat bracing for the long flight, I pick up my necklace and run the charm up and down the chain.

"May I sit here?" A female voice asks.