"god, nature is so beautiful." june sighed before taking a scrunchy from her hot pink hair. her 4c coils flowed over her shoulders like a waterfall of cotton candy as the camp fire illuminated her chunky features. her cheeks raised as her lips were pulled into a triumphed smile.
nasir pulled over to take a quick nap so the gang decided to camp for the night. i was a little scared to sleep in the woods, especially after hearing some leaves ruffling but mesi assured me that if i screamed loud enough, the bear would eventually run away.
i didn't believe him though.
as i snuggled closer to a sleeping nasir, mesi started to talk. "what did you guys want to be when you grew up?" he uttered, mimicking my actions as kelsi dozed off with her head resting on his shoulder. he sported a thin muscle shirt while she wore his jacket—the cool air nipped at my bare arms so i knew he must've been cold too. "i don't think teenage runaways were on our list of hopes and wishes." the joke made theo chuckle, along with nasir. i guess he wasn't asleep after all.
my eyes were glued to the trees above, watching as the wind moved the leaves and branches—squirrels scurried along the tree stumps and ants scurried over my bare toes—being so free felt good at times. when i was with them, i didn't have to worry about my mom getting pissed at me or the townsfolk looking at us under jaundiced eyes and downward turned lips. i felt so un-judged; free to do anything without objections or opinions.
"i wanted to be a vet." june admitted.
"i wanted to be an astronaut." theo said proudly.
"i always wanted to be a farmer." kelsi smiled.
"pilot." nasir exhaled, his eyes starry as if he were imagining his younger self flying all types of aircrafts. my assumption must've been right because he laughed off his words shortly after.
"i wanted to be a doctor." mesi said mindlessly; his mind seemed to be elsewhere since his eyes looked vacant of emotion, not leaving the campfire. i wondered if he was as worried as i was.
"i want to be a writer." i said lowly. everyone's eyes landed on me, their eyebrows raised as if they were judging my use of present tense—i wasn't ready to give up on my dreams yet.
"i think you can do whatever you put your mind to." june cleared her throat, offering me a friendly smile. thank for she attempted to save the day; the silence was suffocating. "you'd make a great author, lonny."
i nodded, glancing down at nasir. he was sprawled out on my lap, twiddling his fingers—i kissed his forehead, causing him to smile. he didn't look too pleased with my answer either.
it felt like i was beginning to lose sight of the goal here.
we were out of yellow springs but i was still feeling troubled. it just felt like i couldn't enjoy the moment.
YOU ARE READING
Endless Summer.
Teen Fiction"Listen; are you breathing just a little, and calling it a life?" his friends has no worries but all lonny seems to do is worry.
