Now

 Auburn Fowler

My alarm blares, a jarring sound that pierces through the early morning stillness. I groan, reluctantly rolling over to smack the snooze button, wishing for just a few more moments of blissful oblivion.

“Good morning!” my best friend chirps, her voice as bright as the sun streaming through my curtains. I jump, my heart racing, and instinctively toss a shoe in her direction, the soft thud of it colliding with the wall echoing my surprise.

“What the�"! Mia, don’t sneak up on me like that!” I exclaim, the annoyance in my tone quickly fading as she bursts into laughter, her peals of joy infectious. Soon, I’m laughing too, the warmth of our friendship wrapping around me like a cozy blanket. After a moment, we both settle on my bed, the chaos of the morning falling away.

“So, what brings you here?” I ask, still a bit confused and trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

“Oh, right,” she replies, handing me a stack of papers, her smile wide and unwavering. “The track forms you wanted.” A chuckle escapes me as I grasp the forms, shaking my head at my own forgetfulness.

“How could I forget?” I say, laughter spilling out again as she throws her head back, every bit as carefree as a summer breeze.

“Because your brain is always running a marathon,” she teases, her bright eyes glinting with mischief. We both erupt into laughter once more, the sound filling the room with lightness.

“Okay, okay, I need to get ready for school,” I say, a hint of seriousness creeping into my voice as I grab a few clothes and make my way to the bathroom. The day stretches before me, promising both challenges and delights. Once I’m finally ready, Mia drives us to McDonald’s, the scent of fresh coffee wafting through the air as we chat about our plans and dreams.

Lunch

At our usual table, I pull out my food, but the sight of it barely registers in my mind. I can feel Mia’s curious gaze on me, probing deeper than the surface.

“What?” I ask, overly defensive.

“Did I mess up?” Her frown deepens slightly, and she shakes her head, her concern palpable.

“No. It’s just... you’re not eating. You always eat. What’s up?” she probes gently, her voice laced with genuine care.

“Oh,” I reply, feeling a flicker of unease. “I’m just not that hungry.” I force a smile, and she nods, looking away to her own lunch, but I know her well enough to sense that her worry lingers. I take a few bites, wanting to ease her concern.

“So,” she begins, glancing at me hesitantly, “I heard a little rumor.” I raise an eyebrow, skepticism briefly crossing my mind.

“About what?” I ask, leaning in as intrigue piques my curiosity. She blushes, a delicate pink spreading across her cheeks.

“Um, I heard that you... like me.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, and it sends a flutter through my chest. I gently lift her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze, our eyes locking in a moment that feels suspended in time.

“Rumors are silly,” I say softly. “But this one? It’s my favorite.” I lean in closer, a daring challenge in my eyes as I glance at her lips. She quickly looks away, a cascade of shy giggles escaping her.

“No need to feel shy,” I add with a chuckle, watching as she visibly relaxes, laughter dancing in her eyes. “I have a random question,” she says, tilting her head with curiosity. “Have you written anything lately?” She aks.

“Actually, yes,” I reply, warmth blooming in my chest.

“I started a new song this morning. Writer’s block hit me for a bit, though.” Her eyes light up with genuine interest.

“Can I read it?” I hesitate, the thought of exposing my vulnerability creeping in. “You don’t have to let me,” she adds quickly, but my heart beats faster in anticipation.

“Sure,” I say finally, overcoming my reservations. I reach into my bag, pull out my well-loved notebook, and hand her the page, my heart racing.

I’m floating in space.

Nothing to be seen

Just me and my music

Alone with the earth

My hands on the keys

Light as a feather

My arms are on display

But I’m not afraid

The notes disappear into the stars.

But they echo in my mind

.

When she finishes reading, her gaze lifts to meet mine, tears glistening in her eyes, a reflection of something deeper.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. I nod, feeling a rush of pride mingling with something akin to fear. Suddenly, she wraps her arms around me in a tight hug, and I can’t help but laugh, the sweetness of the moment washing over me. An idea sparks in my mind, so vivid it feels electric, and she notices.

“What is it?” she asks, intrigue evident in her tone.

“I just had the best idea!” I say, excitement bubbling inside me like a shaken soda can.

“Well, what is it?” she presses. Leaning in, I whisper my brilliant thought in her ear, watching her face transform with anticipation.

After school

As the afternoon slips into evening, I lean over my still-cluttered desk, excitement bubbling in the air like the scent of fresh rain. Mia scribbles notes furiously beside me, her pen racing as we feverishly plan an open mic night for our school's poetry club, the concept sparking flames of creativity between us.

“Let’s invite everyone,” I suggest, my eyes sparkling with enthusiasm that mirrors the light in her own. Mia nods, her smile infectious.

“And we can create a theme! Like, well, I don’t know,” she says, laughing, the sound a melody I could listen to forever. We dive into brainstorming ideas�"decorations, snacks, and how to promote it, our minds entwined in a dance of imagination.

“Maybe we can write a group poem to kick things off?” I propose, my heart racing at the thought of sharing our words with the world. Mia grins widely, her eyes shining with determination.

“Yes! We’ll show everyone that poetry isn’t just words; it’s a feeling�"an experience.”

As we begin discussing decorations, our supplies are limited, yet our laughter is abundant, filling the space like the glow of soft fairy lights. She playfully flings glitter in my direction, and giggles escape me uncontrollably.

“It’s in my hair!” I exclaim, half-laughing, half in disbelief, before I retreat with a sprinkle of my own.

“Hey!” she retorts, laughter erupting once more.

“Sorry, not sorry,” I declare, attempting to shake the sparkles that seem to cling to me like confetti from a celebration. “Okay, for snacks, I’ve got chips�"Doritos and Takis or something�"cookies, like Oreos and my homemade peanut butter cookies, plus my famous chocolate-covered pretzels,” I blurt out in one eager breath, the words tumbling over one another with excitement.

“Wait! Are you making those pretzels with peanut butter and white chocolate drizzle?” she asks, her eyes widening with anticipation. I nod, chuckling a bit at her enthusiasm.

“Yes! They’ve been a hit every time I’ve made them for a big event.” Her signature excited squeal bursts forth, filling the room with joy. “We still need a theme though,” I say matter-of-factly, her nodding in agreement breaking my train of thought.

“Ooh, right. We do.” She says, laughter

bubbling nervously between us. I chuckle softly, the camaraderie we share evident in our playful

banter. “Well, since it IS February...” I begin, a grin breaking across my face, “We could do a

Valentine’s Day theme.” The words tumble out, imbued with a sense of satisfaction. She nods

enthusiastically, her excitement palpable.

“That’s a great idea!” she exclaims, her eyes sparkling like the stars above.

“I know,” I respond, feeling a surge of pride and playful cockiness wash over me.. “I envision a theme of red, white, and pink with hearts and balloons, streamers, and various decorations. I will source candies that align with this palette. For instance, I can drizzle white chocolate over pretzels, incorporating red and pink as well.

Candy hearts with messages will be included, along with fresh strawberries and cherries. Additionally, I plan to offer beverages in red and pink hues, such as strawberry milk and cherry sodas like Dr. Pepper. I might even add strawberry cheesecake to the mix.” I take a moment to breathe. “Damn. That was quite a lot to cover,” I chuckle lightly, and then she does too.

“Yeah, it was,” she replies softly.

“Wait, I need to grab something quickly. I’ll be back.” I rise to my feet.

“Alright,” she says as I step out.

I head to the living room to fetch my notebook filled with songs and poems. I return to my room, notebook in hand. She glances at it, her expression piqued with curiosity. “What’s that?” she asks.

“It’s my writing notebook,” I respond, settling back on my bed beside her.

“Oh,” she says, her interest growing. “Can you read me something?” The excitement in her voice is palpable.

“Sure.” I say and start flipping through my notebook. “Okay, I’ve got one but lets go outside to my backyard pier that leads to the ocean.” I finish saying and stand up to get my guitar.

“Okay!” She says and then we go outside. When we get outside, We notice the sun is going down.

We sat on the worn wooden steps of the old pier, my guitar in hand. The sun dipped low, casting golden hues across the sky. Mia leans against the rail, her eyes bright with anticipation.

“Ready?” I ask, my heart racing.

“Always,” Mia replied, a smile spreading across her face.

I strum the first chord. And then my voice broke the evening silence, raw and full of emotion. The lyrics flowed like water, weaving stories of dreams and heartache.

(Verse 1)

Sunsets are red, fading light in my eyes,

Oceans stretch wide, under an endless sky.

Autumn days whisper, in that soft golden hue,

But nothing’s as bright as this laughter with you.

(Chorus)

Can you feel our bond together,

Like the tide pulling us close?

In the echoes of this moment,

You’re the laughter I love the most.

(Verse 2)

The leaves they come falling, like whispers of time,

Dancing in the twilight, to a rhythm sublime.

Each breath we’re sharing, it’s a melody true,

And the sweetest symphony is just laughing with you.

(Chorus)

Can you feel our bond together,

Like the tide pulling us close?

In the echoes of this moment,

You’re the laughter I love the most.

(Bridge)

We’ll chase the sun down, let it color our dreams,

With every heartbeat, we're unraveling seams.

And when the world feels heavy, we’ll just sing our tune,

With the moonlight as our witness, we'll be laughing till June.

(Chorus)

Can you feel our bond together,

Like the tide pulling us close?

In the echoes of this moment,

You’re the laughter I love the most.

(Outro)

So take my hand, let’s wander where the colors collide,

In a world painted vivid, with you right by my side.

Sunsets are red, oceans so wide,

But laughing with you? That's where my heart resides.

As I sang, the world faded away. It was just us, the music, and the moment that felt infinite. I could see Mia’s heart reflected in her eyes and then she got up and kissed me….