Bloodlines (ON HOLD)

Chapter Seventeen

Hailey's turn this week- vote if you like it, please. 

_____A/N____________

Atira

I was asleep, but the dream felt so real. So real that it hurt.

Flowers, daisies everywhere. I was in the meadow I used to play in as a child. Suddenly from a spot in the middle of a cluster of daisies, a blond head popped up. Curly golden hair, it was beautiful. It was Nate as a child. He opened his eyes and looked around wildly, searching for someone who didn’t seem to be there.

“Atty? Where’d you go?” His voice high and playful. I laughed, his little face was just precious. I waved at him and smiled, but he didn’t see me. He looked straight at me, or more like through me. Disappointed, I remembered it was a dream.

Then the child version of me jumped out of the flowers, tackling Nate to the ground. Giggling, she tickled him until tears streamed from his eyes. He laughed so much, he went silent, not being able to breathe. Little me rolled to the ground beside him, clutching her stomach in laughter.

I walked closer, watching my childhood memory play out. This was one of my favorite moments, one that I have always kept dear to my heart. One I would never forget.

My long brown hair fanned out around my face, I lay there gasping for breath, still having fits of giggles. Nate turned his head and tugged on my sleeve, pointing at a cloud.

“Look, look! It’s shaped like a pony! Atty it’s like the pony you rode yesterday! The one that likes carrots!” Atty, little me, laughed and put her hands on her face.

“Charleston! And he likes apples, you silly!”

Child Nate laughed at my remark.

“Close your eyes Atty, just keep them closed for a second, alright? You promise not to open them?” He asked me. I put my hands over my eyes again and replied.

“Alright I promise.”

I remembered this next moment, it was the sweetest thing. I feel warm whenever I think about it. It cheers me up when I’m sad.

He leans over and pulls a few of the largest, prettiest daisies from the ground and wraps the stems together, intricately making a design. He then quickly tucked the flowers behind my ear. I jumped and opened my eyes, putting my hand on the flowers. He grabbed my tiny hands before I could take out the flowers or squish them. Holding them in his hands, he swung them back and forth.

“Can you promise me something else, Atty?” He asked me quietly. Seeing my scared expression, he smiled to relieve the tension.

Little me nodded, face a mask of confusion. My bottom lip puckered out a bit.

Wait, that’s the puppy dog look Taryn told me I get all the time! I see it now. I look adorable!

“Anything, what is it Nate?” I clapped our hands together and tilted my head to the side.

“I promise to be your best friend for longer than, than a really long time. Longer than forever! Do you promise to be my best friend too?” He asked quietly, only looking at my little hands clasped in his.

I giggled. “Of course you silly! Forever and ever!” Then I got up, hugged him and pulled him from the ground, still holding one of his hands in mine. Together we ran around the field chasing butterflies and birds.

A smile danced on my lips as I watched them run. I lifted my hand and touched the place he put the flowers, those many years ago. I gasped, surprised to feel soft petals and the intricate weave of the stem, tucked in my hair. How did it get there?