Begin Again (Lukesse)

giving my best shot

Lukas's PoV

We sat down on the bench, in the middle of the woods. "So you're really sure you want to do this?" Jess asked as I pulled out the scarf. "Maybe without the blindfold?" she added nervously. I raised an eyebrow. "Alright."

"So if you can hit that piece of paper over there..." I pointed to the tiny scrap of paper pinned to the target board. "You can get something from me." I grinned. Jess huffed, blowing away a strand of hair from her face like always. "Fine. I don't give up easily, Fletcher." she said, standing up and retying her hair.

"What the- Lukas!" she laughed, holding out a pencil. I smirked. "You finally noticed, huh grandma? I've been putting it in your hair every day." she punched my arm. "Okay so how many shots do I have?" Jess asked, kneeling down on the grass to pick up the arrows.

"Five." I told her, standing up to join her as she picked out three arrows. "I said three, grandma." Jess grinned. "Apparently you don't know me much. I love a challenge." she said as she slung her quiver across her back and picked up her bow.

"Fine grandma." I said, standing behind her as she raised her bow. At least 50 meters away, was a tiny folded piece of paper. For awhile, Jess didn't move until five seconds later. Wow. She seemed determined to get that present from me. I swallowed nervously, feeling the nervousness creeping up on me. What if she didn't like the present?

"I don't think that hit." I said, picking up the binoculars and nodded. "It barely hit, just a tiny little bit more to the right." I said. Jess sighed and without a word, raised her bow again. Without even hesitating, she pulled back the bowstring and let go, the arrow hitting the board with a dull thunk.

"Now?" she asked, as I raised my binoculars. "Uh.. a bit more to the left." I said. Jess huffed impatiently but tried again. "Do you need my binoculars?" I asked, teasingly. Jess glared at me playfully as I backed away a little. "No. Now shut up."

Pulling back the bowstring, I watched as she relaxed and held the arrow in its place for more than five seconds. Suddenly, with a sharp swoosh of her bow, the arrow hit the board. 50 meters away. I raised my binoculars and waited a little. I smiled at her when I put them down. "You did it! And now.." I held out a dark blue box.

"Is this my reward?" Jess asked, grinning at me. I smirked. "Obviously. I... hope you like it anyway. I mean, I can just bring it to the store if you don't want it..." I said sheepishly as Jess unwrapped the present. There was a pause. Except for the birds flying overhead, and the sounds of a deer nearby, everything was still.

"Oh Lukas." Jess said, running a hand over the present, which she had already opened.I blushed. "Thank you. I mean-." I stepped back a little. "If you don't want it, it's okay- I mean. I understand-." Jess laughed a little, "No... This..this is the best present I've ever gotten from.." Jess looked up at me, with tears in her emerald eyes. I looked at Jess and was surprised when she held out the necklace. "Can you.." she took my hand and placed the silver necklace in my hands. The metal was cool against our warm hands.

I nodded, understanding what she wanted.I stood behind her and brushed away her dark hair. Carefully, I fastened the butterfly shaped necklace sound Jess's neck, and pulled my best friend into a hug. "Thank you.." I could feel her tears streaming down her face and onto my shoulder but I didn't care. I just wanted to hold her close.

"Who knew we would ever be friends?" I asked, as Jess nodded, the top of her head brushing a little against my cheek. I smiled at the target board, far away.

She never shot the paper after all.

-End