"I never asked for friendship, yet you gave it to me."
An introvert who likes to go outdoors. An extrovert who's friends with one person at a time.
Summer's daytime lasts longer than the night, inviting everyone out to play. Sabito, a child who's l...
The garden was just a few steps away, and I pointed to the sign that read 'Cheshire Gardens.'
"We've arrived," I announced, stopping at the billboard.
"Thank you for guiding us the way, Sabito." Mrs Willows replied.
"My pleasure," I said, looking around the centre.
"Mummy, there's a bench over there," Valerie stated, indicating an empty wooden bench that sat at the edge of the grass, "would you like to sit down for a bit?"
"Yes, that'll be nice. I can walk there by myself."
She strode off, leaving Valerie and me alone together.
"Do you want to start exploring?" I asked.
"Sure!"
She held my hand again, and we walked down the mossy pathways.
We went around the garden, admiring all the colourful flowers blooming from the ground and bushes. Tall, leaf-filled trees towered over us, shielding us from the scorching sun. A damp, earthy scent blanketed the garden, cooling us down while under the shade. Rays of sunlight broke through the crowds of leaves and illuminated a small gazebo. Vines and flowers crawled up to the roof, and petals from the cherry blossom trees spiralled down and littered the floor.
We headed inside, our footsteps disturbing the beautiful mess the fallen blossoms had made. Peering outside of the gazebo, Valerie poked her head out and looked behind the hut, curious to see what life grew beyond it. She sat down on the plank of wood that lined the interior of the gazebo and patted her hand against the seating.
"Come and sit next to me." she invited.
As I was about to sit beside her, a dainty butterfly landed on her hand. She drew in a deep breath and stared at it in awe, her blue eyes enlarging with excitement. Its wings were a similar shade to them and were laced with black lines. It seemed to glow in contrast with the black, and it fluttered its wings elegantly as if it was entertaining Valerie.
I moved to the opposite side of her with caution and peered over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of the butterfly.
"Here, look at it," whispered Valerie as she moved her hand, which carried the graceful creature. I thought the butterfly would fly away, but it stayed put, obedience dominating its exquisite nature.
Why do I feel like I've seen the same butterfly before?
Then it hit me.
That was the same butterfly that was in my mother's hair when I saw her in my dream.
Is this fate?
Maybe I was just seeing things. After all, it was just a dream.
"Look at how pretty it is," I said, extending a finger at it and disrupting my train of thought.
Then it flew onto my finger.
I stayed as still as I could, holding my breath as it moved along my hand. The tickling sensation nearly made me flinch, but I knew it wouldn't do me any harm. It crawled along my knuckles, and it flapped its delicate wings to me.
"She likes you," Valerie spoke into my ear, trying not to disturb the peace, "make a wish while she's still here."
I shut my eyes, and I thought to myself.
I wished that Valerie and I could be happy forever and ever.
"I've made my wish," I whispered to the butterfly, opening my eyes.
As if on instinct, it fluttered off my hand and deep into the garden, carrying my wish with it.
"I hope we meet again soon," I said after the butterfly as we parted ways.
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