The Last Hope

Prologue~ Rae

Prologue- Rae

I have to keep reminding myself not to move... If I move, someone will see me. I heard the footsteps getting closer, so I held in my breath, but it did no good... "Got you!" Auna exclaimed. I laughed and crawled out of my hiding place "Yeah, last!" I teased. Everyone laughed as we gathered in the living room. We all got together for a party while Auna's parents were out of town. But, it's not as rebellious as it sounds; her parents know, and all we do is play around and watch movies, or beat each other in some video game. We always find some reason for these 'parties'. Tonight, the occasion is that it is the last weekend before our high school lives officially begin.

Everyone is planning on setting up a movie, but I had too much energy, I couldn't just sit and watch a movie. "Hey, I was thinking of going for a walk instead, does anyone want to come?" I asked. Not many people heard me, but Dakota did, quite clearly. He always seems to hear me when no one else does. "I'd like to!" He said as he stood up. I blushed and nodded. No one else seemed interested, so we said good bye and the two of us walked out the door.

As we walked in silence, I brought up a fact I've had for a while.
"I know who you are." I said, looking straight ahead.
"What?" He asked, a noticeable concern in his voice.
"I don't know how, but I can just sense that you're not human." He looked shocked and puzzled.
"You're one of my closest friends; I'm surprised you didn't tell me..." I said in a low tone.
"I never told anyone. How do you tell someone something like that? How did you even..." He mumbled. I turned to him,
"You're still you. If you're human or not; you're still you." I smiled. He just seemed to beam. "We've only known each other since We were five! You know you can tell me anything, Kota." I knew he didn't want to continue on the topic that moment, someone knowing he was a mage was obviously unexpected and new, so I'll leave it at that for now as I run towards the creek, him close behind.

Dakota was a friend of mine from back in early grade school, but he moved away. Back in those days we were very open about liking each other. No one ever took it seriously, though. I only half take it seriously recalling it now. It was such a young age, but I do still have those same feelings... In the 4th grade, after about four years after we met, he moved away. Not until 8th grade did I see him again, and I didn't even know it was him at first. My family had moved around a couple of times in those years, and changed numbers so even if he did come looking for me to see me again, he wouldn't have been able to find me.

When he moved into the rabid jungle of a junior high that I happened to be going to, he was badly bullied, until I stood up for him one evening. I honestly hadn't even known it was him, until I walked him home, and met his parents, who have always looked the same- a very youthful couple. For a while we were awkward around each other, but that passed and we went back to being best of friends. Although, a week later, my mom and dad didn't seem happy when I brought him back to our house. We still hung out. My parents eased up after a few weeks. Maybe a month passed since he had come back into my life, we continued where we left off, and I realized that the feelings I had when I was younger was actually very serious.

The night was warm and crisp. We walked down the road and around the corner to a creek that went through the town. We hopped on the rocks that are big enough to stand on. We were racing each other when he slipped off and started to fall. I am just behind him reaching in attempt to catch him, but we both ended up falling down to the damp grass. I landed on top of him, practically face to face and both of us were stunned. The thought of kissing him is so sudden and strong in my mind, there was no stopping it. I am about as surprised as he is by the kiss, but that soon faded to leaping hearts and clouded minds. We sat up and looked at each other, blushing and shyly smiling. He came closer, putting his hand around the back of my neck, kissing me once again. We both heard the giggling from around the corner and stopped, knowing we were followed.

We sighed and got up to chase after them. Everyone from the party was there, I was blushing so badly it burned my face, I was just glad it was so dark out that no one noticed. We climbed the hill, untouched and preserved- the town's outskirts. We paused and looked over the lights, shining and clear. The town sat quiet and relaxed, preparing for another hot day about to come. In the tall grass, I sat next to Kota, we held hands until people started getting tired and wanting to return back to the house.