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She took a deep breath as she followed the directions on the note. Along the path, she passed small family homes and children doing as children do when the sun's gone down and the lightning bugs have come out to play. The strong urge to join them reminded her that not ten years ago she too was outside chasing the little lights that blinked and floated. One little boy, at the ripe young age of seven, was enamored of those little lightning bugs he ran in circles trying to catch just one. Out of pity, Nelly caught one and beckoned the boy over, he ran up to her without caution, as young kids do and she folded the bug onto his palm.
At first, he writhed not knowing that the bug would tickle, but then stared at it not wanting to let the curious creature go. Nelly watched for a minute, it was amusing just watching his face as a whole array of wonderment passed his eyes at an insect that could emit light at will. When it occurred to him that Nelly was a stranger, he took a step back shielding the bug. Yet he then hugged her leg and ran to his house. Most likely to show his parents his catch, Nelly assumed.
She continued down the path wondering where it would go. When she came to the mouth of the woods, she hesitated. Nelly thought the note had been written by her boyfriend, but she wasn't certain. For a moment, she contemplated going home and making s'mores and celebrating her birthday alone until her father returned at 11. Yet the mysteriousness of the note drew her to the woods and she was curious to see how it'd end.
She made the right and the left as the note asked and from a distance, she saw a faint luminescence. Nelly walked towards the light and found that it was coming from a cloth tent. Inside was the shadow of a male figure. He seemed about her age and restless. As if he were waiting on something. Or someone. She walked around the tent until she found its entrance. Her confidence grew as she assured herself it was Kaden and she entered the tent.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiujnGSdzLk
Adoration was the word to use when it came to describing the look on her boyfriend's face. He seemed relieved and elated to see Nelly and he crawled around a few objects in the tent to reach her. He wrapped her in his arms and sighed. Nelly felt excited that it was after all her boyfriend, Kaden, who'd written the note.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaRFhKGoDk
"I was worried you wouldn't come," Kaden murmured into her hair, "Happy birthday, darling." Nelly felt like crying because he had planned something for her 18th birthday.
He pulled her further into the tent and all was revealed. Upon the grass, that served as the tent's floor were two cupcakes, a gift bag, a lighter and candle, two cans of sparkling cider, and a lantern. She gasped in glee and kissed him on the cheek.
"Kaden, you're the best!" she exclaimed.
They sat down across from each other and Kaden prepared Nelly's cupcake. When the candle was lit he serenaded her with the 'Happy Birthday' song and glowed when she blew out the candle. They both ate their cupcakes and drank the cider enjoying each others company. Nelly's heart and stomach were full and she couldn't have wished for a better boyfriend.
"Here's your present," Kaden passed over the gift bag and Nelly cautiously accepted it. It had weight to it and seemed fragile. When she opened the gift she found a metal butterfly.
"Kaden, did you make this?" She examined the butterfly with care and love.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WXluhwP4b
Unsurprisingly to her, he responded, "Yes. I worked on it in metalsmith every day for two months in a row. Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it, and I love you!" She kissed him on the lips and he kissed her back. The summer was going to be short, but they'd make it in college no doubt. Nelly lifted it up and it seemed as if the metal sculpture was in perpetual flight.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPkgCWEkoC
The lantern cast their shadows onto the cloth walls of the tent and it was another reminder of her childhood. She remembered blanket forts from when she was five and she loved it. Nelly decided she was never going to get rid of the metal butterfly because even if it was a symbol of Kaden's love, it stood to her a reminder of her childhood and she could never part with that.
For several hours, they sat in the tent together. Sometimes making shadow puppets with their hands and the rest of the time enjoying Nelly's 18th birthday before they had to deal with college. Before either of them had to deal with the pains and struggles of the real world.
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