An Enchanted Night

26*I'm Here

Adam turns and runs, making his way back to the clearing. He knows what he wants to do, but he doesn't know how to accomplish it yet. For now, he's starting with step one. It's hard, swimming upstream like a salmon, dodging and skirting around all the attendees leaving. But he's determined, and he uses that determination to egg him on.

He reaches the stage area, still littered with last minute stragglers. Benji is on the stage, assisting the band as they pack everything up. After the tribute, when Benji had hugged him, it had been exactly what he needed. It felt like he was hugging the epitome of comfort. Warmth, and reassurance that he wasn't completely alone.

When they finally broke apart, Adam wanted nothing more than to see Taylor. He had hastily searched the frenzied crowd for her, spotting her as she was entering the path back to the parking lot. Because he'd nearly run her off the road coming here, he knew what car she'd be in and he took off for the lot.

By the time he'd arrived, there were people and cars everywhere. He'd continued to search for the purple sedan, locating it just as it was about to pull onto the highway. Taylor's blue eyes were already on him. That's when his plan had evolved. It was too late to stop her and chat, so he'd have to find a different way to reconnect with her.

And now, that plan is in action. He sprints onto the old, recently re-traveled hidden path. The Moon still guides him along, providing just enough light to see him through to the clearing. He arrives at his destination, panting and alive with adrenaline. He pauses for a few seconds, trying to catch his breath, before bending down.

"You know I love you," comes his sister's voice, from behind, "so much."

Adam forgets his mission and removes his grip from the flower stems he was just about to pick. "I know. I do, too," he replies instantly, turning to face her.

She's standing a couple feet away, a smile gracing her lips, "I know."

"I could never forget you," he says, voice breaking.

"I know," she's still smiling. "But, living your life without me isn't forgetting. I want you to be happy."

"It's hard," he chokes out.

"It'll get easier," she comforts him, reaching out to grab his hand. Adam nods, knowing she's right. "You'll always have Benji," she points out, leaning down to get in his sight after he'd allowed his head to wilt. "And now you have Taylor," she cheekily grins.

Adam blushes, ready to protect his ego, "What are you talking about, sis," he rolls his eyes.

"Come on, you idiot. She's good for you. Her and Benji are good for you. They make you happy, when I can't be here to do it myself," she smiles sadly.

"You're here now," Adam states, pulling her into a hug.

"I'm always with you," she hugs him back. "You don't share an entire life with someone, egg to teenager and just lose them." She pulls back and points to his brain, "I'm here." She then points to his heart, "And I'm here." She smacks him on the shoulder, "Always."

Adam hesitates before he mumbles, "You're right."

"Oh, I'm sorry, what was that?" she cups her hand to her right ear.

"You heard me," he scolds.

She giggles and nods her head, agreeing. "I did. Now," she leans down and inhales a deep breath of chocolate-scented flowers, "pick some flowers and get on with it."

"Get on with what?" he plays stupid.

"Your plan, go woo the girl," she shakes her head. "It's obvious enough, you have a crush on her."

He doesn't want to admit she's right, again, in less than a minute, so instead he says, "Yeah part of wooing her will be hard. I only know her name. How am I supposed to find her?"

"Ask Benji, he always knows what's up," she replies in a duh voice, glancing at him from her still-crouched position.

He holds back on telling her she's right, and bends back down. They share a smile as he begins to pick the flowers.