Before the Ember

Smiling in the rain

I wake up with a strange burst of energy. I look to my clock. It read 9:30. I walk down stairs and see my mom wearing makeup. What's going on? She never wears makeup? "Mom, are you okay? Why are you wearin-"I start to ask. "COAL!" I run upstairs to the bathroom to take bath nearly tripping on a few steps.

I scrub my body making sure not to miss a spot. Once I finish I rush to my room clinging my towel. Right before I close the door it opens. "Ember." My mom says.
"Yes mom?" I ask holding the towel tighter to my chest.
"Your father and I got this for you." My mom says holding up a denim and white dress with a brown belt.
"It's gorgeous! Thank you! I'd hug you but I'm kind of only in a towel." I smile.
My mom laughs," well hurry up and get ready, they'll be here soon." I nod and close my door.

I put on the dress and look at it through my mirror. I twirl, watching the end of my dress wave like daisies in the wind. Water splashes around the room from the movement of my sopping wet hair. I comb through the tangles and put my hair into a simple side braid. Lastly, I put on brown leather boots that come up to my knees and I trot down the stairs.

When I get down stairs I see my parents scrambling around like chickens with there heads cut off. My dad's rushing around checking on all his different pastries while my mom reorganizes the room 500 times trying to get the house perfect for our visitors. My mom finally walks up to Kale's room when we hear a knock on the door.

"Ember can you get that? I'm taking the turkey out of the oven!" My father shouts from the kitchen. I crack the door open, just enough to stick out my head. "Hey." Coal smirks. His eyes are as blue as the ocean and his hair is a damp mess on top of his head. He looks exactly the same as he did 5 years ago. I smile like a fool absorbing the joyful moment.
"I see your nose still crinkles when you smile real hard." Coal smiles, dabbing my nose.
"And I see your still a royal pain." I smirk back.
"Why of course I am, your highness." Coal laughs while bowing. I roll my eyes. He always knew how to please a crowd.
"Ember! Are you going to let them in or not?!" My mom shouts.
"Sorry." I mumble under my breath.

Coal's whole family walks in our door and let me tell ya, it's a lot. Coal is the oldest and has a 14 year old sister named Thistle, a 12 year old sister named Fuchsia, a 5 year old sister named Wisteria, and a 6 month old brother named River. "Hey Catnip." Gale laughs. My mother smiles and rolls her eyes embracing him in a hug along with Coal's mom, Conifer. Coal and I run upstairs to my room, getting away from our parents.

I close the door and lock it, keeping out all of his young siblings. I turn to look at Coal and I can't resist myself. I run up and wrap my arms around his neck. He wraps his arms around my waist and rest my head in his shoulder.
"I've missed you." I sigh.
"So have I." he says.
"Oh please! You probably have girls throwing themselves at you every-" He moves me back a step so he can look into my eyes,"that doesn't mean I don't miss my best friend." I half smile at him and I look down at my feet.
"How about we go do something!" Coal mischievously smiles.
"Like what?" I ask.
"You'll see." he says while jumping out my window.
"C'mon! Jump!" Coal shouts from the bottom.
"I don't want to fall and rip my dress!" I exclaim.
"I'll catch you!" He assures me.
"You'll look up my dress when I jump!"
Coal rolls his eyes eyes at me,"really? Really Ember."
"Ugh, fine. You better not drop me!" I yell.
"Trust me, I'm strong!" He boasts.

I force myself to jump out the window. Butterflies explode in my stomach and my legs dangle in the thin air. Right before I hit the ground I'm swept up by a pair of muscular arms.
"I told you I wouldn't drop you." Coal smirks. I roll my eyes. Coal puts me on my feet and bolts towards the woods. I run after him nipping at his heels.

He runs throughs bushes and around trees and he makes crazy turns just to mess with me. He stops at a valley, OUR valley. When we were kids we came here everyday. We played games, we talked, we grew up here. We called it the Mellarkthorne Valley.

I collapse on the ground and start breathing heavily," I hate you."
Coal laughs," no you don't." He lays down next to me in the soft grass. We just lay there in silence, enjoying each other's presence. Coal snaps a pink rose's stem and puts it in my messy hair. I smile. He stands up grabbing my arms, taking me up with him.

"Remember when we were younger and we would always see who could spin the longest without falling?" He asks.
"Ya." I answer.
"Well let's do that now." Coal insists. We both spin and spin and spin giving ourselves head aches. We giggle as we twirl in the chilly wind.
"I give up!" Coal states grabbing hold of my shoulder to steady me. I smile and cheer," I win!"

Rain stares to fall down on us soaking our bodies. "Your still smiling." Coal points out.
"Why wouldn't I be? I get to spend time with my best friend!" A point out.
"Yeah, but it's raining," he says,"I like people who smile when it's raining."