Blue Skies: Sean & Kaycee | Short Stories

Buried Alive | Part 4

Sorry it took me so long to update. 

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Sean Lew couldn't say when he had fallen in love with Kaycee Rice. There was no sudden epiphany as he stared into her eyes or a conscious realization when he lifted her into his arms. It was simply a truth that existed between them; that bound the essence of Sean and Kaycee together. His love was a steady certainty that was the bedrock of their relationship, providing a boundless source of honesty and trust in each other. It had grown throughout the years, manifesting itself in comforting touches, sympathetic tears and contagious laughter, until it swelled and transformed into something more. He had waited patiently, his heart open and yearning for her to take it as her own. But for once, their inexplicable ability to communicate without words had failed. And finally, standing on that rooftop, he reached out to her in desperation, forcing her to make the inevitable decision of what their relationship truly was.

His love had drawn them together.

But it wasn't enough.

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Sean was ten years old when he first met Kaycee. He was at another dance competition, chatting with his friends before the awards ceremony, when Miya dragged him over to where Kaycee stood with her mom. Sean flushed and shot an embarrassed smile at the small girl as Miya asked if she could take a picture of the two kids together. Laura eagerly agreed, pushing her daughter towards Sean and searching for her own camera. Kaycee smiled shyly as Sean shifted awkwardly next to her, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Sorry about that," he sighed, turning and smiling bashfully after the photo was taken. "I know you just got off stage. My mom thinks you're going to be a star and said I needed a photo with you before you blew up."

He paused, his face scrunching up as he considered his words.

"...in a famous way. Not in a BOOM, explosion way."

Kaycee giggled as Sean mimicked an explosion with his hands. She adjusted the straps of her sparkly dance costume as she considered the confident boy in front of her. Sean was one of the dancers she kept hearing people talk about. He was a prodigy at ten years old; only a year older than her. Plus, she had seen him backstage laughing and joking with all the dancers and teachers; it was like he knew everyone. Normally the loud, outgoing kids made her feel uncomfortable and unsure, but something about Sean's smile was infectious; his eyes full of laughter and mischief that she wanted to share in.

"It's okay," she replied. "I saw you dance earlier; you're really good. You'll definitely win your solo."

Sean grinned, his dimples on show.

"I'm glad I'm not in your category, or else I'd definitely lose."

Kaycee snorted, drawing the attention of their moms. Laura and Miya still stood together a short distance away, trading compliments about how talented their children were. They smiled as they saw the two laughing together.

"I don't think you'd look too good in a dress," she snickered. "Or a wig."

Sean placed a hand on his chest in mock offense.

"How dare you," he gasped. "My mom says I look beautiful in my sisters' dresses."

They burst into laughter. As they wiped their eyes, Sean eyed Kaycee in amusement and a little confusion. He liked the way she hid her smile behind her hands and how red her face got when she laughed. Sean spent the majority of his time around girls—whether it be at home with his sisters or at dance classes and competitions—but Kaycee wasn't like most of the girls he danced with. Sean already had plenty of friends, but for some reason, just after meeting her, he really wanted Kaycee to be one of them.