The Hoodie Girl One Shot

Sparks

I felt my hair brush against my neck when it swayed as I ran away from the imposing danger. Giggles were heard from ahead of me. Ever was running like a madman, flailing her arms as she pushed her little feet to move faster. Tiny shrieks resounded and I felt my own laughter drown her out. Two strong arms wrapped around my stomach and I squealed, soon my back was lying against the cold ground and blades of grass tickled my cheeks. Asher hovered above me, moving flyaway strands out of my face. His crystal blue eyes concentrated on me, his pupils dilating. He shined a bright smile at me, showing off his pearly whites.

"You know,"

I began, wrapping my arms around his neck to pull him down closer to me.

"People's pupils dilate when they are looking at something they love." He smirked, bringing himself closer until I got a whiff of his minty breath.

"That makes so much more sense, I always wondered why your eyes do that."

He chuckled and I took a handful of grass and threw it at his face. He stood up quickly, sputtering and spitting whatever grass got in his mouth. I giggled and ran towards the picnic tables that had an array of hot dogs, fruit, salad, soda, and hamburgers on it. My mom was standing there shocked, watching as I threw myself towards her.

"Asher dear, stop harassing Wren!"

Victoria shouted from behind the grill. Pointing an accusatory spatula at him. He stood there flabbergasted, with his hands up defensively. I laughed until I could tell the exact moment his eyes zoomed in and locked on its target. A smirk crept onto his features and he began speed walking towards me, my poor mom jumped out of the way and joined Victoria. By the time Asher got to me, I took my seat next to Ever at the picnic table.

"Wren, what are you doing?"

"It's almost time to eat, sit down."

"You can't act like you weren't messing around too."

When I looked up at Asher he stuck his tongue out at me and ruffled my hair as he sat down.
Before long, Victoria, mom and Dr. Williams sat down. Ever continued to bang on the table, humming a little song to herself. Victoria served little cut up pieces of hot dog with ketchup for Ever and raised a brow at Asher.

"It's ok mom, I can handle serving myself."

Victoria pouted and stared at her plate like she washed it over and over but there's still one speck that wouldn't come off. No, not the feeling of anger or irritation. That my friends is called defeat.

"My baby is going to college and he won't even let his mother serve his plate one last time."

Asher groaned beside me, handing his mother his plate in the process. Within seconds I loaded hamburgers, fruit, and chips on my plate in a big heap. Food is my life. Like if food was a person I would take him out on dates all over the place and fly across the world to watch the sunrise on the Great Wall of China.

"Wren?"

Asher stared at me annoyed, as if he was talking for a while now and I wasn't listening.

"Yes?"

"Did you hear me?"

Oh. So I guess I wasn't listening after all.

"Nope."

He shook his head and dug into his food. Once all of the food was demolished, the adults began to clean up, keeping the place tidy was key. By now the sun was down and only small lanterns lit up the small glade in the forest that we chose to spend the night at. Ever continued to run around, screaming as she chased after her own shadow, testing if it was possible for her to catch it.

"Wren, I got something to show you. Come here."

Asher whispered out from the trees. The adults were preoccupied drinking wine by the fire and talking about adult things like bills and taxes. Ever was in Victoria's line of sight and I watched as her eyes followed her ecstatic daughter all the while she was having conversation.

Asher awaited me by the bushes, once I met him there he grabbed ahold of my hand, gently pulling me with him between trees. For a second there was darkness, only a little light from where we set up camp was visible. But then little spots appeared. Small, bright, beautiful. Asher kept pulling me until we stumbled upon a small clearing. The tiny lights floated around, dancing in the hot summer night.

Fireflies. Asher cupped his hands together and stuck his arms out, seconds passed before a little firefly bounced over. It swayed up, then down, then back up again as if it was reciting a ball room dance until it landed peacefully in Asher's hand.

"It's cute."

"Yeah like you."

"I physically cannot handle the level of cheesiness you have just achieved."

Asher grinned and threw his hands out to let the big fly away. This was just so...magical. Asher took my hands in his, drawing me in closer. Once again I smelt that mint gum of his, a smell I still haven't gotten used to.

"Wren baby?"

I felt myself heat up at the term. Nevertheless I stared up into his blue eyes.

"Yes?"

My voice came out soft, and for a moment I thought he couldn't hear me. His arms snaked around my waist and pulled me closer than before. His breath felt soft on my cheek.

"I'm so in love with you."

A big smile appeared on my face and I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck, running my hands threw his hair.

"If only you knew."

He leaned down, eliminating the hassle of standing on my tippy toes and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. Simple, but it meant more than a thousand words could ever have. He embraced me one last time before backing away. The lack of his presence made me cold even though it was summertime.

Asher fished around in his tan cargo pockets until he pulled out two long, narrow sticks. They had a gray coating at the end and came out to be wire at the other end. Sparklers. He pulled out a lighter and put it next to the tip. A small spark emitted from it. It was quick, not a second passed before the whole top lit up. Sparks flew everywhere. He handed me the sparkler, I didn't thank him right away. I was too mesmerized by the bright silver sparks that I was holding in my grasp.

It was like having stars in your hands, sparkling quickly before they die out. Asher held his out to me. I tapped mine against his as if we were having a toast.

"To a life together."

He began happily. It was my turn to continue.

"To our first summer!"

"To the first time I saw you, little red."

We went back and forth, exchanging turning points and ideal futures that were worth mentioning.

"To my love for you."

We both said at the same time, my cheeks would have flushed a light pink if I was capable. Even if it was dark outside and all we had was the light from the numerous fireflies and our sparklers, I could tell he was blushing.

"To a happy 4th of July!"