The Way Back To You

Prologue ✨

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a golden hue across the small town of Maplewood. Its warmth lingered in the air, mingling with the sweet scent of summer blooms that spilled from the neighboring gardens. It was a Saturday, and the world felt alive, buzzing with the laughter of children playing outside, their voices echoing down the tree-lined streets. Among them, two figures stood out—a boy and a girl—caught in a moment that would forever remain etched in their hearts.

Brielle Thomas knelt on the grass, her fingers delicately weaving wildflowers into a crown. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she carefully selected the brightest petals, ignoring the gentle tug of her mother calling from the porch. The crown was for a royal ceremony she had declared on the playground, where she and her friends would reign over their kingdom of make-believe.

"Do you think I should add more yellow?" Brielle asked, glancing up at her best friend, Oakley Stewart, who stood nearby, a mischievous grin plastered across his face.

Oakley shrugged, his shaggy hair falling into his eyes. "As long as it's not a crown for a silly queen," he teased,  sticking his tongue out. "Real queens wear gold."

Brielle laughed, the sound bright and carefree, a melody that danced through the warm afternoon air. "Then I'll make it the shiniest crown ever! You can be my knight!"

He feigned a dramatic bow, placing a hand over his heart. "At your service, Your Majesty! But I won't protect you from the dragons if you make me wear that silly crown."

Brielle rolled her eyes, her laughter bubbling up again. "You're not afraid of a little dragon, are you?"

"Only the ones that breathe fire," he replied, his tone mock-serious.

They continued to play, their imaginations weaving tales of bravery and adventure. Brielle finished the crown and triumphantly placed it on her head, posing like a queen surveying her kingdom. Oakley stood beside her, wielding a makeshift sword—a stick he had picked up from the ground—ready to defend her honor.

"Long live Queen Brielle!" He proclaimed, thrusting his sword into the air.

"Long live Oakley the Brave!" She replied, giggling.

As the afternoon wore on, the two of them ventured to the edge of Maplewood, where the woods loomed like a mystery waiting to be uncovered. It was a place they had always dared each other to explore, their hearts racing with excitement and fear. Today, however, their courage surged, fueled by the warmth of summer and the bond they shared.

"Let's go just a little deeper," Oakley suggested, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I heard there's a secret fort hidden in there."

"A secret Fort?" Brielle's eyes widened. "You're not pulling my leg, are you?"

"Cross my heart!" He said, placing a finger over his chest. "We can be explorers!"

With a shared glance that spoke volumes, they ventured into the trees, the laughter of their friends fading into the distance. The forest swallowed them whole, enveloping them in a world of towering trees and the rustle of leaves overhead. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor, creating a magical ambiance that made their hearts race.

As they wandered deeper, the air grew cooler, and the sounds of the outside world faded away. They climbed over fallen logs and ducked under low-hanging branches, their adventure unfolding with every step. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they stumbled upon a small clearing, where the remnants of an old fort stood—a crumbling structure made of logs and vines, forgotten by time.

"Look!" Oakley exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. "We found it!"

Brielle's heart raced with excitement. The fort was a treasure, a secret world waiting to be discovered. They stepped inside, their imaginations ignited once more as they claimed it as their own. The walls were rough against their skin, but the thrill of ownership was intoxicating.

"We should make it our headquarters," Brielle declared, her eyes sparkling. "We can invite everyone to come here and be knights and queens!"

Oakley nodded vigorously, his face breaking into a wide grin. "And we can protect the kingdom from all the bad guys!"

For hours, they played and dreamed, lost in their little world. But as the sun began to set, casting an orange glow through the trees, a sense of reality slowly crept in. Brielle could hear her mother's distant call, and a knot of worry formed in her stomach. She knew she should be heading home, but the thought of leaving this magical place, leaving Oakley, filled her with dread.

"Oakley," she said hesitantly, "we should probably head back."

"Just a little longer!" He pleaded, his eyes wide with the innocence of youth. "What if there's more to explore?"

But Brielle felt the weight of time pressing upon her, the urgency of evening settling in. "I don't want my mom to worry," she replied, her voice softening. "And you should probably go home too."

Oakley sighed, the sparkle in his eyes dimming. "Okay, but promise we'll come back tomorrow?"

"Promise," she said, sealing it with pinky swear.

As they left the fort behind, the air grew cooler, and the shadows lengthened. They made their way back through the woods, the familiar sounds of their town growing louder. The laughter of children echoed, reminding them of the carefree joy they had left behind.

When they reached the edge of the woods, they paused for a moment, looking back at their secret fort, now shrouded in twilight. Oakley turned to Brielle, his expression shifting from excitement to something deeper, more serious.

"Bri," he said, his voice quiet. "I...I don't want things to change."

"What do you mean?" She asked, her heart racing.

"I mean, when school starts again...when we get older...will we still be this close?"

Brielle's breath caught in her throat. The weight of his words settled heavily between them, an unspoken fear that had lingered in the back of her mind. "Of course we will," she assured him, though uncertainty danced in her own heart. "You're my best friend, Oakley. Nothing will change that."

"Promise?" He asked, his eyes searching hers.

"Promise," she echoed, sealing the moment with a solemn nod.

But as they turned to leave, a flicker of doubt lingered in the air. The truth was that change was inevitable. Their childhood was slipping through their fingers like grains of sand, and soon, the innocence of their connection would be tested by the world around them.

As they walked back to the familiarity of their neighborhood, Brielle's heart ached with a bittersweet awareness. She wanted to hold onto this moment, to preserve it against the changes that loomed ahead. Little did she know, that day would mark the beginning of a journey that would shape their lives in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

Years later, as the memories faded into the backdrop of their lives, Brielle would come to realize that the moments they shared that summer would always be a part of her—a bittersweet reminder of the way back to him.

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Author's Note 🩷

Hey guys! This is another story that I want to share with you. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do and make sure to follow me and stay tuned for further updates and new content coming soon. ✨

If you have any suggestions about this please feel free to comment and tell me what you think so far!

Thanks for your support and attention! 🩷✨