Snowflakes in June

A special summer.

Chapter 1

A summer tradition, to go by the beach every summer.

Ever since I was little we would go to the beach every first week of june.
This summer was supposed to be no different from the rest, until I found you… You made that summer a special summer. I saw her standing on the edge of the water where the only part reached by the waves were her feet. She looked scared, she was alone so I came closer to her.  I pulled her slowly into the water and I didn’t let go of her hand as we played in the water. I couldn’t imagine what I was thinking to pull a stranger into the water but it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

You looked so happy in the water, and I felt that I would finally have someone to play with. And I did, you would always accompany me and the first month we met you would follow me around like a lost dog. You weren’t talkative but you brought me to your home and your grandma told stories about you, sometimes when you were flustered you would kick your feet and it made me laugh.

“Gramma! Stop it…” You pouted when your gramma told me about your first day of middle school, “She was wearing her shirt inside-out. I didn’t tell her! It was hilarious!” She hid her face with her hand while me and her grandma laughed together. Then you suddenly pulled me out of my chair and out the door.. “June! Don’t go too far hon!” Her grandma yelled out the door. She had a mad pout on her face while pulling me towards the water, then she threw me in. I gasp and stare at her, “June!” My anger quickly turned into joy when I saw her laugh, I pulled her into the water and we just stared at each other for a while before bursting into giggles and splashes.

Though my mother scolded me after I got home late and dripping with water, I still had a smile on my face as I remembered her smiling at me. I loved my visits to the beach, but she made it extra special. “Eira! Why are you wet? Look at the time, and you're not even wearing swimming clothes! What in the!?” My mom hurriedly pulled me inside and rushed to get me a towel. While she hosed me down with warm water she looked at me strangely, “What a wide smile you have… something happened today?” She smirked at me before turning off the water, I stopped smiling and just took my towel. “No… I just…I just had fun swimming.” I answered then rushed back to my room.

I opened my bag and took out my sketchbook. I drew her maybe a thousand times in the span of just a week… honestly there was just something so alluring about her. I was only 13, but I think that was the time I found love. I may have not noticed it back then but I was in love with June… All of June, her laugh, her eyes, her smile, her short squid hair, big brown eyes, I was bewitched by June, June Elliott. The girl who made me think about her 24/7 even if we weren’t together, I was painfully stupid for not knowing I liked her.

I enjoyed every moment of that summer with her, but all good times have to end. So then came my due back home at the end of that month, I was supposed to go home to be greeted by the cold winter. The feeling of sadness came over me knowing I had to return, it was my last day and you were clearly upset. You would barely talk to me, we sat at the side of the shore. I went over to your house to bid farewell to your grams, still you were ignoring me. By the end of the day and early evening I was called home yet still no proper words came from you. My little heart did in fact get hurt but I didn’t say anything and just went back to our beach house. As I had just finished packing, the moon was already high and the night was late, so I was surprised to hear a knock beside my window. I opened it slightly to peek at what it was, I was surprised to see her… June?

“...Why can’t you just… just stay here…” I saw her tears running down her cheeks and it made me cry a bit too, “Oh June, you're so stupid! If I could… I… I would!” I yell at her, staring down from my window. I pulled her up to my room and locked my door. I sighed as I looked back to see her red face and runny nose.

“Don’t leave Eira! Without you, I won’t have anyone else to play with-” I cover her mouth, “Shhh… my parents might hear us.” I whisper rather than stare at her. I felt my world stop for a moment before I moved my hand while shaking my hand. “Don’t cry, I’ll come back next time. Promise. Just wait for me, okay?” I said while taking her hand, “You promise? Make… make sure you don't break it…” She frowns, I assure her I won’t and a smile cracks in her face.

I sat at my bed and she followed, we started chatting, then talking, and our conversation got deeper. We ended up all smiley next to each other in bed, her eyes all droopy, clearly sleepy. I smile at the sight of her slowly falling asleep. I stare at her, as I start to close my eyes too… I was so lucky, to fall asleep watching the most beautiful view.

I woke up the next day, early in the morning she was already gone. My mom was already awake frantically rushing us to get ready. I quickly move and shower, getting myself ready to go back home. But while brushing my teeth, eating my breakfast, loading our car, I thought about you and this place. How I didn’t want to leave, I sigh and get inside the car, as the car starts to move I see you standing outside the window. You were waving at me, all smiley, as the car moved faster you ran beside it before you eventually gave up all sweaty and happy waving at me.

So suddenly the feeling of leaving was overrun by the excitement of seeing you again next time… next year, June.