A Wish Under The Cherry Blossom Tree

Chapter 1

Natalis is my best friend, and I don't know how I lived past lives without her in my life. The gleam in her eyes and beaming smile while talking about mundane things like the weather, or what test she passed made me fall so hard. If only I could express my feelings to her...

"Arlo!" Natalis called out. "Wanna head out to the cherry blossom trees to tie wishing ribbons on them? The town is giving them out for the start of spring!" She said with that familiar gleam in her eyes. Flushed, I answered, "Why not? Seems like fun." This time for sure, I'll ask her out. All my other times ended up with me turning away in embarrassment as she was oblivious to all of my clues.

On the day of the wishing tree event, I tried my hardest to look my best for Natalis. But I knew that whatever I put on, it would pale in comparison to what she had on. Trying not to be late, I told my parents that I would be out for the day and rushed out the door. When I got there, I saw Natalis in the most beautiful pink dress with a white coat over it, and her hair was done in a tight bun. "Hey! I'm here, sorry if I'm a little late." I shouted out to her. "Of course you aren't late, I arrived not too long ago myself. Ready?" "Yeah, let's go!" I answered.

We headed to the signing area to put our wishes in the ribbons. I wrote "I wish I could tell the girl of my dreams that I want to be with her." Natalis was just about finished writing hers when she asked, "What did you write on the ribbon?" I said "I can't say, It's a secret." While smiling at her. We hung our ribbons on the same branch and started walking away when she asked again, "Are you sure you don't wanna tell me what your wish was?" I'm now thinking that this is my chance to tell her. I said in response, "You wanna know? Fine, I'll show you."

Hand in hand, we ran to the lake, which had cherry blossom petals lining the edges of it. We ran to the middle of the lake into the small gazebo where I mustered up the courage to say to her, "I like you. Will you go out with me?" She turned blank then a smile grew on her face. "Do you know how long I've waited for you to say this, you goof?" she muttered, holding back tears. "I've been wanting to say it ever since I saw that smile of yours. So will you?" I barely got that last sentence out as tears fell from my eyes. "Yes I will, Arlo. I will go out with you." And while leaving the lake, I never let go of your hands. Ever since that day, my love for you never waivered. Just like the wish I made under the cherry blossom tree.