Second Chances

Chapter one, part 1

Fern's POV

Wind.

Rushing by my ears at a speed that seems faster when you're actually in motion.

Back and forth, back and forth, my hair whipped at uncontrollable velocities in the spring air.

I didn't even hear the park gate open, I didn't even see her walk in. I didn't see that she wasn't just opening the park gate, she was opening my heart to a friendship I didn't know would carry past the gates of the playground.

"Can I have a turn on the swing when you're done?" I hear below me.

"What, peasant?" I want to say. "You are below me." I want to say. I am a very independent child.

instead I pump once more then fling off the swing, soaring through the air like the bird I'm meant to be. The scratchy sand doesn't even bother me. I am a bird.

I turn to face the girl who's waiting patiently.

I dust off my skirt and walk over.

"Hi, I'm Fern. You can have a turn now. Can we share?"

The girl stares at me with wide, bright blue eyes.

"My name's Akira. And sure."

"Akira. That's a pretty name."

"You have a pretty name too."

"But It's a plant," I laugh.

"That's why I like it," says Akira as she starts swinging.

"Want to be friends?" I say, no bars held.

"Yes," says Akira, swinging back and forth. I decide the swing is silly and go towards the monkey bars. Akira follows me.

"I do gymnastics."

"Me too!"

"Can you do the monkey bars?"

"Yep, backwards even."

"That's cool!"

Akira looks confused at me for a moment.

"Hey, don't I know you?"

"Maybe," I ponder.

"Oh I know, you go to church with me!"

"Oh yeah!"

"I hate going to church."

"Me too. It's boring."

We laugh, because that's what we like to do. Laugh. A lot.

For the next hour we just play. We play princesses and fairies and astronauts and ninjas.

With her, I can be anyone I want.

I see my mom at the gate of the playground.

"I have to go Akira, I'll see you later!"

And I do. But not for another 7 years.