We were only seven when we found the abandoned field. It wasn't anything special to anyone else, but to us, it was the most magical place we'd ever been to. To see the way the fireflies lit up the open grassy meadow on a warm summer night was something only the two of us knew, which made it all the more amazing. And to feel the chill of the air around us as fall drew near was the best way to realize school would soon start again. Ten years we spent there when we needed an escape from realities we didn't want to face and sharing secrets we never told anyone else before it was time to go home for dinner. Ten years we spent there telling jokes and laughing at the most ridiculous things until real life would set in again.
Now? It's all about to disappear; soon to become a distant memory. With May approaching so quickly marking the end of senior year and our time spent in this small town we've called a home for the past eighteen years.
As I walk along the worn dirt path we've raced down so many times, I think about how much things are going to change. There will be no more random visits from family and neighbors, no more looking up to find a sky full brightly shining stars, or even ridiculously long winters that everyone says they hate until they're suffocating from the intense heat of a July day... It's all coming to an end.
"Come on, Jace," I said, tugging on my best friend's arm, trying to pull him up.
"But why?" he whined, as he threw his arm over his eyes, "It's too hot to move."
"'Cause I have something I have to show you!" I yelled, "You're just being too lazy to do anything."
When I was younger, I was very eccentric, hyperactive, and... Controlling. I'll admit it. It seemed like I always had a plan for the game we were going to play and how it was going to be played, or where we would go that day. Even what we were going to have for lunch! I can't say I'm proud of it, but it has proved helpful years later when peer pressure came into play in high school, making it easier to refuse and walk away.
"Come on!" I cried, yanking his arm again, but proved unsuccessful again. "I'm not gonna wait forever, you know."
Jace peeked from beneath his hand fleetingly. "Then leave without me."
"I double daw dare you to race me to..." I thought for a moment, then I pointed my finger in the opposite direction I was facing, "Back there."
He groaned, but got up anyway. As he readied himself for the race, he said, "And, just so you know, it's double dog dare."
"Ready?"
He nodded.
"Three..." I began the countdown, "Two... One..."
As I walk toward the red milk crate that held our blankets, pillows, and other supplies, I pass the homemade fire pit we made out of random stones we found in the nearby creek and it reminds me of the small bonfires we had; s'mores, hot dogs, and all.
"Go!" I yelled as I took off running, just a millisecond before the word left my mouth.
"Cheater!" he accused. But, of course, Jace, as he always did, caught up quickly and won the race.
That time, though, instead of stopping, he continued running straight into the brush. Seconds later, I heard a strangled cry.
As I pull out a blanket, I wonder if we'll ever be able to come back someday, maybe bring our families if we have them, but most of all, I hope we'd have the chance recapture our old memories.
I stopped just short of the greenery, scared of what might lay behind it. My fears were pushed down for the sake of my friend as I shoved the branches aside. When I looked down, I saw Jace sitting in a puddle, covered in mud, ruining the white shirt he had on.
When I lay down, arms spread out above my head, the grass scratches my toes slightly, and I realize which quilt I grabbed. It was soft, small, and worn, but still perfect, despite any tears it may have.
Then I looked out at the field for the first time. The sun had just begun to set and the summer air already started cooling.
With a large smile, Jace glanced at me with a devious smile. "You go get a blanket; I'll get a tent... We're camping out tonight! Meet me here at nine, though. Mom will make me take a bath first before I can go anywhere."
I nodded and ran as fast as I could to my house. When I finally made it to the door, I raced through, grabbed the afghan off of the end of my bed, and jogged to my mother's room.
"Mom, can I stay the night at Jace's? His mom already said yes, and we were going to camp out in his backyard so we didn't bug his brother," I explained quickly with pleading eyes.
"I guess," she sighed. I thanked her shortly, gave her a hug, and then went to the kitchen to gather snacks.
When I caught a glimpse of the clock, I saw that it was 8:45 and decided that it was time to go. Seconds later, I was retracing my steps back to the field and got there five minutes early.
I close my eyes, feeling the heat of the midday sun on my face. I sit up when I hear the pounding of feet from a few meters away, a smile on my face. I knew who it was without even seeing their face.
Shortly after I did, Jace arrived, breathing heavily, excitement bright in his eyes.
Together, we took a step into our new, magical kingdom that we would rule forevermore. When I found a dry area, I smoothed the blanket down and laid on it, Jace followed soon after.
Soon, Jace was beside me, his legs and arms hanging off more than mine had. Sat in silence, we just stared at the sky, enjoying the mere presence of each other, comforted by the fact that it wasn't over yet.
The stars, the sky, and the entire world was ahead of us, but in that moment, it didn't matter... We knew it would be over eventually and that we'd have to leave, but we just took the time to enjoy all of the small moments we were given.
