Paper promise

"Don't be a brat."

"You're not my dad! Now go get me my supplies, peasant!"

Marlin stared at me for a while and sighed, taking support on his hands to get up. "My mom won't let me leave the house this late in the evening. I'll get them tomorrow."

"Promise?"

"..promise."

I gazed at the unfinished drawing and crossed my arms, pouting. "I want blue and purple copics. My galaxy needs beautiful colors in it."

He half-smiled and took the piece of paper out of my hands, putting it in a pile of other drawings on his desk. "I think some red would look great in it. Red galaxies exists, right?"

"I guess they do."

We played random games on Marlin's console until we heard Mrs Aegean calling us. Dad must be here.

"Camelia! Your father arrived, get ready to leave darling!" I sent Marlin a quick smile and grabbed my jacket, rushing down the stairs to land in Dad's arms.

I said goodbye to Mrs and Mr Aegean and we drove back home while my little self was already excited for tomorrow's hang out with Marlin.

...

I never imagined how everything would turn out.

How I would lose my best friend. The one boy I considered as my brother.

That night Marlin's house burned down to ashes, killing one of the family members.

He just left without leaving any traces behind him, like a ghost.

Like a sheet of paper consumed by the flames of fate.

I wish I could see him again, but can I really do that?