Secrets of the South

Chapter 4 : Summer's Farewell

As the end of summer drew near, a melancholic mood settled over Sophie. The days had been filled with laughter, adventures, and newfound friendships, yet the approaching departure tugged at her heartstrings.

They had all shared such wonderful moments together this summer, and with Rosie, their group had finally found its missing piece.

Late in the afternoon, Sophie felt compelled to call for a secret meeting in their treehouse. Climbing up to the roof, she lit a lantern, their agreed-upon signal for a clandestine gathering. The light on the rooftop of the neighboring house joined theirs, and a sense of anticipation filled the air.

Sophie eagerly made her way to the treehouse and didn't have to wait long for James to arrive. His smile upon seeing her warmed her heart, and she couldn't help but smile back. They chatted about her sadness at the summer's impending end.

"It's hard to say goodbye," Sophie admitted with a sigh.

James leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with reassurance. "Don't worry, Sophie. We'll see each other again next year, and it'll be just like this summer, full of adventures and laughter."

His words filled Sophie with comfort, but they also stirred something within her. James was indeed cute, and as she gazed into his eyes, she couldn't help but blush and look away.

Before he could notice her behavior, Theo and Rosie joined them in the treehouse, interrupting their conversation. Theo proudly declared that he had found some wine in the kitchen, which filled them all with excitement at the prospect of doing something a bit forbidden.

Theo poured each of them a glass, and they clinked them together, declaring, "To summer!" Their laughter filled the small space as they reminisced about the good times they had shared during the season.

James recalled the day when Sophie had been frightened by a squirrel in the woods, and she had jumped onto him, asking him to protect her. She argued playfully that she hadn't known what it was, but James had already nicknamed her "Princess" because she needed a knight in shining armor to save her from the scary squirrels.

Rosie shared a hilarious memory of Theo, who had eaten berries from the woods, turning his face bright red. Oblivious to his appearance, he had shown up for dinner, creating uproarious laughter among them.

By the end of the night, the bottle was empty, and they were all wide-eyed and rosy-cheeked. Time had passed quickly, and it was time for them to return home before their parents noticed their absence. But before they left the treehouse, they made solemn oaths of eternal friendship, sealed with a secret handshake known only to them.

One by one, they descended from the treehouse, leaving James and Sophie alone. Before he went down the ladder, he looked at her with eyes full of sparkle and affection. "Until next year, Princess," he said softly, then planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Playfully, Sophie pushed him away, forgetting that he was on the ladder. Panic surged through her as she realized her mistake, and she grabbed onto him tightly, preventing him from falling. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, but then James surprised her by tightening the hug. Something warm blossomed in her heart, a feeling she couldn't quite describe but one that felt undeniably good.

They released each other, and he looked at her one last time before descending the ladder. Sophie's heart skipped a beat. What had come over her? She wondered as she watched him go.

She knew one thing for certain: She couldn't wait for the next summer.