now or never

10

That night my dreams were different than usual. They were beautiful because they were about memories of Liam.

"Come on Liam, you can do it." I cheered on my new best friend. "Of course I can, it's just so high," Liam said, trying to keep his voice calm. I still couldn't move my right foot properly, but I was able to walk somewhat again. It had been three days since I fell down the hill.

Liam screamed loudly and his father ran out of the house. "What's up? "Did something happen?" he asked me and I had to suppress a grin. "Father! Father! I did it, I made it up the tree without falling. Here Alice, I brought it for you." Liam proudly handed me an apple that he had picked for me.

His father laughed loudly and patted him on the shoulder. "You scared me, I thought you had fallen again." Liam's face turned red and he complained that his father shouldn't have dropped him off in front of me. "Thanks Liam for the apple." I thanked him and a smile crossed his face.

~

"Alice, are you there?" Liam asked loudly and in a whisper at the same time. We had arranged to meet Xaden and Garrick at the lake to swim and train. I stood behind a large tree and put my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing. "Calm down Liam, she'll definitely come soon," said Xaden.

I was behind the tree before "Boo!" I said loudly and to my amusement Liam and Garrick jumped. "Are you abandoned by all good spirits?!" Garrick complained to me. Xaden and I just laughed. "Always the same." Xaden remarked.

Liam came over and hugged me, then picked me up and threw me across the lake before he, Xaden and Garrick jumped after him. We laughed and splashed in the water.

~

"Tell me Alice, what do you actually want to be in the future?" Liam asked me. We lay on a blanket on the hill and looked at the stars."I'm not entirely sure. Halden is next in line to the throne and even if I didn't have two other brothers, I'm a woman. Maybe I'll join the Healers or Riders. How about you?" I looked at him expectantly.

"I'm going to be a rider, there's no question about it." he replied proudly. I had to laugh. Of course he wanted to become a rider, after all, that's what he always trained for."You definitely have to become a rider too, then we would see each other every day for three years." He smiled at me and his eyes shone with enthusiasm.

"I'm really sorry to have to tell you this, but if anything it would only be two years, since you'll be joining a quadrant a year before me and besides." I looked at him provocatively. "Who says I want to see you every day." Liam dramatically slapped his hand over his heart. "How can you say that? You have hurt me deeply."

We laughed and continued looking at the stars. Suddenly Liam grabbed my hand and looked at me seriously. "No matter what you decide or what happens. I am your best friend and I will always protect you. We will get through everything together, even if we are in different quadrants. Promise?" We looked at each other, deep into our eyes. "Promise," I replied with a smile.