The Hidden Clearing

A boy has a surprise for his best friend, Sophie. The afternoon that follows is one she'll likely never forget.

"Where are we going!?" The girl yelled as she ran after her friend.
"Somewhere special!" he yelled back, laughing as she chased him, her skirts clutched in her hands. The girl gave a yelp when she tripped and stumbled over a tree root blended in with the dirt around it. The boy stopped in his tracks and ran the opposite way, towards the girl. Grabbing her pale hand, he helped her stand again and she began dusting off her front, vigorously. Her long, blond hair had come undone from it's fancy updo and her flowery hat had long since been lost, exposing her long locks. She looked exotic and radiant, despite the dirt on her lacy dress and hands and her unruly hair. A real wildflower. If her mother could see her, she would have been outraged.
"Come on, Sophie." the boy said gently, tugging on her hand. "We've still got a ways to go."
"But Ed..." Her protests died when she saw the look in his huge eyes. They were the gorgeous green of an oak at the height of summer. She heeded him and they walked this time, hand in hand, basking in the late afternoon sun, shaded partially by the canopy of the wood's ancient trees. Suddenly, the boy, Ed's pace quickened as they neared the mysterious special spot. They burst out into a small clearing and Sophie gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
"Oh, Ed... It's so beautiful!" The clearing they had entered was, indeed, beautiful. The light of the sun was filtered through the leaves of the trees, which were so high above them that it could rival a ballroom's ceiling and the light cast in ethereal colors. On the ground was a carpet of wildflowers in every color of the rainbow and a small, crystal clear pond next to a weathered weeping willow.
"I was hoping you'd like it." he half whispered. Sophie gave a tiny nod. "I do." Walking to the water's edge, Ed turned to her and gave an overzealous bow, his dark curls flopping into his eyes.
"Would the lady care to join me in a dance?" He asked, in perfect imitation of a courtier.
"Why certainly, my good sir." she said, copying his mannerisms. "We don't need any orchestra, do we?"
"Nope." he said, confidently. In one swift movement, he scooped Sophie up in his arms and began a traditional dance. This one was fast paced and energetic, almost a jig. Then they danced a slower piece. And finally, a smooth waltz. Sophie leaned into Ed's chest, using his heartbeat to keep rhythm. His hand was on delicate waist. They molded together almost perfectly, locking into place like a puzzle. They fit just right. Sophie felt safe and warm in his arms while he felt protective and strong. Eventually, they slowed until they had stopped dancing entirely and had sunken into the flowery grass. Sophie fiddled with the flowers, her back almost turned so that Ed couldn't see what she was doing. She turned back and held out a flowered crown she had made, a mix of tiny white daisies, orange and pink tulips and yellow lilies. Ed took it and carefully placed it on her head, a little lopsided.
"Perfect." he said, "It suits you."
"But I made it for you, Ed!" she said, giving a silvery, chiming giggle.
"Nonsense!" he said, with a sudden booming swagger. "As much as I'd love to wear it, I'm afraid that pink just isn't my color. Besides, it suits you." he repeated. Casting a glance upwards, Ed noticed that the sun was beginning to set. Sophie needed to get home.
"It's time to go, Sophie. It's nearly sundown." he said and he led her out of the clearing the way he brought her in, with impossibly wide smiles plastered on both of their faces

Author's Note

This is my first romantic one shot. Opinions?

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good story.
"They molded together almost perfectly, locking into place like a puzzle. They fit just right. Sophie felt safe and warm in his arms while he felt protective and strong. Eventually, they slowed until they had stopped dancing entirely and had sunken into the flowery grass. "
You create place, situation and positive emotion. I like the good visions create by strong description of place and the dance. Thank you for sharing the outstanding story.
Coyote

[Number Six]

*Long whistle* I'll tell you something: Very few stories can hook me from just the first sentence. It had me at "Somewhere special!"
The spacing was well written, the characters seemed likeable (though a bit stereotyped, but don't think of this as a bad thing), the dialogue seemed believable, and the descriptions were catchy.

This seems like it could be a good prologue/early chapter of a book! So, why not continue Ed and Sophie's story? I'd read it.

Nicely done, I hope you continue writing here.


-Number Six