Carla Mason:

The sun hangs low on the horizon. It is struggling to prise the last of its rays through the clouds, emblazoning them with brilliant scarlet and orange hues. Everything is awash in a sepia glow as the sun continues its descent, clothing the sky in fiery colors.

Eric is lying down next to me on the prickling grass, and we are watching the inferno sink as it paints the sky like it is pouring out molten lava. In this evening, when the wind is howling lightly in my ears, the sun is setting, the grass is tickling my skin and Eric is right beside me, I can't help but feel how wrong Jenny is. Love does not hurt you, it mends you. It heals you, it recovers you, it cures you. And Jenny might not believe any of this, but I will prove how wrong she is to her. Eric and I will do it together.

When I look up at the sky again, it is tinged with a darker shade. The oranges and yellow hues are receding, giving way to the darkness. And soon enough, I am staring at a star speckled sky and admiring the patina of the moon.

"You know what, Carla," Eric begins, "One day all these storms reining our lives will be over. Everything will become serene and peaceful like evenings. Like the evening you drew me. Everything will be calm like that."

I turn to face him. His azure eyes are a deep ocean. "And what of the wreckage the storms would have caused?"

Eric considers this for a moment. "No worries, we will clean it all up."

"And we will do it together?"

He smiles up at the darkening sky. "Of course."

And I believe him.

                                         ****
author's note: well wasn't that a cute little moment. i updated two chapters today because this one's really short. just a little filler before we start digging into the meat of the story! I am so excited to share the next chapter! That's where everything goes a little wild ;)

-RZ