Heaven By Your Side

Prologue

"Are you going to keep staring at it?"

I whipped around as if I've been caught doing something a five-year old shouldn't be doing.

Behind me standing with utmost confidence, the little five-year old boy gave me a crooked smile as he stared at me. He was just taller than me, and with his jet black hair and chocolate brown eyes dressed in a black t-shirt and knee-length denim shorts, he looked like a shadow that has come to life.

"W-w-what?" I stuttered, playing innocent. My heart was racing and my hands felt sweaty. What's happening to me? Why is my heart beating so fast?

He grinned and walked towards me. Nodding his head at the set of swings in front of me he spoke.

"Are you going to keep on staring at it, or are you going to actually hop on?"

I said nothing as he stopped next to me. We both stood staring at the swings. Harmless, yet it wasn't.

"Well?" He prompted, staring at me.

I hesitated and shook my head, my ponytail whipping against my face.

"I can't," I muttered, looking down at my feet feeling embarrassed.

"Why not? Nothing's stopping you." He said carelessly with a hint of impatience.

In a small voice, I admitted what I was too scared to voice out loud.

"I'm scared."

"Of what?" He asked disbelieving. "There's nothing to be afraid of!"

I didn't reply and as if noticing how much of a big deal this was for me, he went quiet.

"What are you afraid of?" He said in a soft voice.

The cool wind whipped against my face and I self-consciously pulled the loose bits of hair that has come loose from my hair and pulled it behind my ear.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up and gazed at his steady brown eyes.

"Falling." I whispered staring back at him, "I'm afraid of falling."

His eyes immediately soften and he watched me for a moment.

My heart seemed to be beating even faster than before as he stared at me; as if seeing through the depths of my soul to my greatest fears.

Something has shifted between us. I did not know what but I felt it.

Suddenly he grinned a boyish smile and my heart skipped a beat.

"You won't fall," He said with confidence, "but if you do, there's no need to be afraid."

"Why is that?" I asked curiously.

He grabbed my hand, surprising me and squeezed it.

"Because I'll be here to catch you."