Chasing Stars

C o m f o r t s

"Tell me" Austin said.

I looked up at the sky and pointed. "Hey look! That cloud looks like a bunny!" I giggled. I looked back at Austin. "Don't you just love bunnies?" I asked cheerfully. Austin frowned at me. "No I really don't like bunnies. I also don't like when people don't tell me things"

I gave an exaggerated nod. "Oh yeah me too!"

He poked my back. "Come on..tell me what the surprise is" he whined.

I looked at him, wrinkling my nose. "What surprise?"

Austin's face softened. "You're cute when you annoy me" he grinned, tapping me on the nose.

That startled me. "Uh thanks?" I said, a little unsure. Austin groaned. "You either tell me, or I'm leaving. I didn't walk all the way to your backyard so you can show me bunnies in the sky" he threatened. I straightened up, smiling. "Okay. I guess I'll tell you then," I said, sighing melodramatically. Austin glared. "Be patient" I said, taking my time. He shifted restlessly. "Okay, so yesterday I got a letter. I opened it and there was something inside" I looked at him with a pause. He flopped his hand, urging me to go on. "In that letter there were three slips of paper" I continued. "Very thin, long slips of paper." I looked at him again. Austin shook his head, bewildered.

"Well, I was very confused at first. Then when I read the note inside, and everything became very clear. You see, Mr.Reynold, apparently since my dad worked for an airline company, we occasionally get rewards. Well this particular reward just happened to be tickets to a very special place. Would you like to guess what place that may be?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

There was a slight pause. "No way" Austin whispered. I smiled. "No freaking way" Austin said again. I gave him an exasperated look"

"YOU'RE COMING TO AUSTRALIA WITH ME" Austin shouted, jumping up in excitement. I grinned up at him. "Well of course I am. Why would you ever think otherwise?"

He grabbed my hands and swung me up, locking me in a tight hug.

My heart immediately started racing, and my palms clammed up.

"You're coming with me" Austin whispered into my neck. I pushed away a little. "We're gonna have so much fun" I said.

He didn't reply, and kept staring intently at me. "You're coming with me" he repeated. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. My breath hitched. "Thank you" he whispered, and softly kissed my cheek. He pulled away and smiled. "Pack your bags Tess" he grinned, and walked away, leaving me with a stinging cheek, marking the spot where his lips had touched my skin.