Summer Vibes

Prologue.

Eleven years ago...

We were running across the greenhouse yard in front of the palace.

"Flora, wait for meee!" I panted, shouting.

He just turned around and smirked, still running. "We'll you better hurry up, Coco!" He teased. "Come and catch me!"

My chubby little legs pumped with energy, determined to catch him. I couldn't let him win. I ran after him in a frenzy, sweating profusely. My left hand was on my head, grasping my tiara tightly so it wouldn't fall off as I tried to catch him.

At one point I almost got to grab him, just inches apart, until I felt my legs give out beneath me as I slipped suddenly. I landed painfully on my knees, the gravel in the grass grinding into my skin.

Unable to take the shock and pain, I burst into tears. Face damp and streaked, sobbing, I stood up and hobbled to the side of the tulip bushes, limping. I didn't want to play anymore.

I sat on the grass and inspected the damage on my legs, finding out that I had nasty, bleeding scrapes on my knees. Seeing this, I howled in fear.

I sat with my head in my hands, sniffling, for a moment, but it seemed like an eternity as I suppressed the pain.

It was after awhile I sat there when I realized that he was gone.

Where was he? I thought as I scanned around, looking at the sprawling yard and green shrubbery around me. I didn't notice him running away. Still, my face grew hot with annoyance.

How dare he leave me like that?! I grabbed a pebble in my small hand and threw it angrily; it made a perfect arc until it hit the large curlicued polished iron gate, looming in height in front of the garden, with a clang, without so much as a forethought.

I turned my head, face still wet, and looked at the driveway of the palace. My new all-pink glittery bike was still on the marble driveway, next to his worn out black-and-red skateboard. I pouted and dropped my head again, with my knees still throbbing.

Minutes passed, but it felt like hours. I wanted to get back inside, but I was on strict orders from Daddy to stay outside and play as he was having a conference held inside the palace and he was not to be disturbed.

"Coco? I got something for ya." I heard his voice and looked up. He was holding up two teddy bear bandages.

He sat down beside me and dabbed my wounds softly with the hem of his shirt, and then carefully concentrated on placing the bandages on my wrecked knees.

After he was done, he softly said, "You're okay now, Coco. Flora's always here to save you."

That sent warm flitters in my innocent five year-old heart.

I looked at him and his eyes shifted to me, an unnaturally beautiful bluish purple unlike any I've ever seen, and thousand butterflies took over my heart. It was then I knew that this boy was something special.

Even as we continued playing and laughing again after I had cooled down, I never forgot what he said.

I still remember it now. It seemed like a vow, a promise.