a lover's folklore - the love triangle

I - betty

        The sun is setting, casting a golden glow over the fields as James and I race each other through the tall grass. His laughter rings out, clear and infectious, making my heart feel lighter than it has in ages. We're breathless by the time we collapse under our favorite oak tree, the one that's been our secret meeting spot since we were kids.

James grins at me, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "I won again," he teases, nudging me with his shoulder.

I roll my eyes, still catching my breath. "You always win," I reply, but I can't help but smile back. It's moments like this that make everything else fade away, leaving just the two of us and the world we've created together.

"Remember the first time we climbed this tree?" he asks, looking up at the sturdy branches that have held our weight countless times.

I laugh, the memory flooding back. "How could I forget? You dared me to go all the way to the top, and I got stuck halfway up. Shit was terrifying."

"And I had to come rescue you," he adds, his voice warm with nostalgia. "You were so scared, but you didn't want to admit it."

"I wasn't scared," I protest, though we both know it's not true. "I was just... cautious."

James chuckles and reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers. "Sure, babe. Whatever you say."

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, watching the fireflies start to dance in the twilight. It's amazing how we can just be together, without needing words to fill the space between us. We've always had that, this easy connection that feels like home.

"Do you remember our first date?" I ask, breaking the silence. The memory of that night still makes me smile.

James grins, squeezing my hand. "How could I forget? We went to the carnival, and you beat me at every game."

"You let me win," I accuse playfully.

"Maybe," he admits, his eyes twinkling. "But I loved seeing you so happy. And that kiss on the Ferris wheel was worth it."

I blush at the memory, the thrill of that first kiss still lingering even after all these years. "It was perfect."

He leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "Every moment with you is perfect, Betty."

I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath. In this moment, everything feels right. The doubts and worries melt away, leaving just the love we've built over the years. We've had our ups and downs, but it's the laughter and the shared memories that bind us together.

As the stars begin to dot the sky, I close my eyes and let myself get lost in the warmth of James's embrace. Here, under our oak tree, I can almost believe that nothing will ever change, that we'll always have this love, this connection.

"James," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the sounds of the night. "Promise me we'll always come back here, no matter what."

He pulls me closer, his lips brushing against my hair. "I promise, Betty. Always."

I smile at his reassurance and recall how lucky I am to have someone like him.

James was mine. And I was his.

I hope.

                                                                                  ➶-͙˚ ༘✶

 I grab my backpack and begin to head out the door. Prom was a week away, and I couldn't be more excited. I walk out to my car, start it, and make my way to the school. The whole car  ride I couldn't stop thinking about how perfect me and James's first prom was going to be. I'd been imagining how it would go ever since middle school, and soon it would finally be here.