It's a Love Thing

by Cindy C. Bennett

  In this brief moment there are a million things we could say. He could try to explain, I could accuse him, believe him, deny him, or tell him how much this summer has meant to me. He could tell me he loves me, and I might tell him I love him back. It doesn’t matter. There is nothing either of us can say now, so it’s best that we leave an infinity of things unsaid.

  He and I both know that after this, there is no more us. He’ll have to go hide somewhere or go back to his ship or whatever it is aliens on the run do. It’s too dangerous for us to see each other again. We both know that; we both know that we have only one more moment.

  His hand reaches up and touches my cheek. My skin ignites and my lips begin to form words right before he jumps out of the window. I stand for a moment, savoring the lingering feel of his touch, feeling the unsaid words still hanging in my mouth. Looking out the window, I can see there is no sign of him. Xeno has vanished from my life just as suddenly as he entered it.

  The door behind me swings open and my father enters, looking worried and stern at the same time. His eyes land on the empty bed and then on me. Worry turns to rage as he stares me, demanding an explanation. I’m not paying attention to his intense glare. All of my thoughts rest on Xeno.

  I should have said it. I know I’ll never see him again. I know there will never be a chance to tell him that I love him and tell him that . . . that I forgive him. That I believe him. That I know he loved me back. So as my father waits for me to say something, I decide there’s only one thing I can say to explain myself. It’s the last thing Xeno said to me and the thing I never got to say to him.

  “I’m sorry.”

  The End

  About the Author

  I am a fifteen year old student from St. Louis, Missouri. Writing and reading are two of my favorite hobbies, along with swimming, singing nonsensical songs when I’m bored, and trying to make people laugh. I have an amazing family and many friends who help me in my work.

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  Ye Olde Summertime of Love

  As I stared at her glimmering face, it took all I had to just come up with a word to say. “Hay.”

  “What?”

  “That’s a nice bale of hay over there, isn’t it?” I replied shyly, feeling awkward over the subject I used to start a conversation with her. I wasn’t used to speaking to someone so beautiful.

  “Oh, yeah, I come down here all the time to look at this wonderful hay,” the girl jokingly answered. “Is that why you’re here?”

  “No!” I hurried to respond. Not sure what to say then, I answered her question, “I came to see if you were offering lessons on horse care. I guess I just had ‘hay’ on my mind.”

  She, giving me a look questioning my sanity perhaps, replied, “Who are you?”

  “Sorry, I’m Atticus. I am one of King’s knights. I’m pleased to meet you.”

  “Well, hello, Sir Atticus. I’m Lyrica. I haven’t seen you before. Where are you from?”

  “I just arrived in the kingdom. I used to live just north of here. The people weren’t too friendly there. I was strolling along and came upon your town and, after showing King what skills I have, he knighted me. You’re looking at the newest general in King’s army.” I proudly stated my achievement to Lyrica, hoping it would impress such a beauty.

  “You appear young to be a general. Anyway, let’s get back to business.” Now she was looking at me with a perplexed, almost worried, look. “So you want to learn how to care for a horse? That’s not one of the many ‘skills’ you have?”

  “Not yet,” I said, puffing my chest out, trying to act like a tough guy. “But I’m hoping that it will be soon!”

  Lyrica led me around the corner of the little stable to where the horses were, the whole time watching me with a look of what might be interpreted as fear. “What are the names of these sturdy looking steeds?” I asked, trying to put her at ease.

  “That short one is Jeff,” she pointed. “And the one missing a leg over there is named Humphrey.” She looked puzzled at my question. “What would you like to know how to do first?”

  “What’s your favorite thing to do when caring for horses?” I asked, trying to start a fun conversation with her.

  “It’s a toss-up between everything, really. Each thing is just as bad as the other.” The fear was beginning to take over her face again, though I couldn’t fathom why. I thought my questions were benign enough.

  I tried again. “How about we do something you do enjoy then?”

  “I’m not too sure of you yet, to be honest. You look friendly enough. I just can’t figure you out.”

  “Then give me a chance.”

  “Give yourself a chance; don’t make me do it for you.” The fear in her face was becoming clearer.

  “Then trust me,” I whispered to her as I smiled gently, while slowly reaching for her hand and going to my knee in a gesture of humility.

  Lyrica hesitantly grabbed my hand. Looking up at her perfect face, I couldn’t help but let my smile grow. I got up and lead her quickly along through the village. We were rushing by houses and shacks, both of us looking at each other, laughing a bit as we almost ran into multiple strangers. I took her to the edge of town and up a little hill.

  “This is the first place I saw your town,” I told her as we stopped at the crest and glanced back down on the town. “That path that I took you along was the first path that I walked in your city. Right now, I’m happy I took that path. It’s the first place I saw you. I knew I had to see King first but the moment I finished with him I immediately came back.”

  Lyrica, now looking a little shy, although some of the fear had drained out of her face, said, “You may not be so bad after all, Mister General.”

  Standing on top of the little hill looking over the whole town and castle, we stood in silence. I took her hand as we watch the sunset, and she allowed it. Once night fell, I looked at her and whispered in her sweet little ear, “Guess what happens now?”

  “I can’t . . . for some reason . . .” she replied with the same fear as before, but much more intense now.

  “Look down there.” I directed her toward the back side of the hill where, one by one, little fireflies started to float up into the sky.

  “This is amazing . . .” In an instant, all of the fear was gone from her face.

  “Why were you so worried before?”

  “I don’t know if I can tell you.” She seemed to debate internally, until with much reluctance, Lyrica finally spit out, “Okay. I’ll tell you, but you must promise not to tell anyone!”

  “I swear not to tell a single living person about anything you ask me not to. I’ll take whatever you’re about to tell me to the grave.”

  “. . . Okay . . . I can see . . .” Lyrica seemed hesitant to say, “Time.”

  “You can what?” I responded in confusion.

  “I can see the recent past and near future of people I’m near.”

  “So what number am I going to say in four seconds?” I tested.

  “I can’t tell!” Lyrica shouted in response. “For some reason, I can’t tell anything about you! You’re a complete mystery to me!”

  “How can you do that?”

  She spoke quietly, “I don’t know, though there are others similar to me. I actually work as part of a secret defense council for King.”

  “. . . There are others like you as well?” I asked in such disbelief I fear I sounded like a fool.

  “Yes, the other main member of the council can turn invisible and communicate with thought.”

  “How long have you been able to see people’s lives?”

  “As long as I can remember I’ve been seeing things that are about to happen to me.”

  “Well, can you see this?” I gently spoke as I leaned in and kissed her.

  “I could tell you wanted to, I was just waiting for you to get the courage.” She winked at me.

  *****

  The next day I spent half the day away from Lyr
ica. I was required to train with King’s men most of the day. All I could think about was how much I wanted to see that face of hers, how it shined like the sun and twinkled as the lights that glittered in the night skies. All of this training was actually because of Lyrica. She saw that a group of barbarians would be passing nearby, although she was unsure of their motives.

  Once I was finally done with training for the day, I swiftly ran through town to where that beaten-down, wonderful little stable was. I was just in sight when I caught a glimpse of her stunning radiance. I slowly walked over to her, trying my hardest not to blink and miss a second of the beauty that I beheld. When I finally reached her, all I could do was smile, and she did the same upon seeing me.

  “Hay,” I teased, trying to recreate our first meeting.

  “Hay!” she replied, playing along. The energy in her voice lifted my spirits.

  “I’d like to show you something, follow me!” I took her soft, silky hand and pulled her along with me.

  We were laughing all the way through the town as we again nearly missed random people in the streets. I took her to the other side of town, out to the surrounding fields next to the city. We slowed as we came to the center of the field, where a flower garden resided. The garden had rich, dazzling colors; the smell was an explosion of freshness. I watched Lyrica’s eyes, seeing the awe and wonderment in her gaze.

  “I found this little place on my way into the city earlier today. It reminded me of you, with such beauty, though nothing can compare to you.” I poured my heart out to her.

  “This is amazing! Truly one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.”

  I walked over to a bush, pulled a basket out and presented it to Lyrica. “I brought us dinner as well.”

  “I don’t think this moment could get any better! I’ve never been so surprised in my life. Everything that’s going to happen to me I see before it happens; this, really just blows my mind.” Lyrica’s voice soothed my ears.

  We spent the rest of the night eating by the flowers and watching the sunset. After the sun went down, we laid on our backs, heads right next to each other, looking at the points of light that littered the night sky. The amazing sight of the heavens lighting up was nothing compared to the sight of Lyrica.

  “They say that if you see a scratch in the sky, it’s a falling rock that you have to make a wish on. But be careful, you’re not supposed to tell anyone what you wished for, otherwise it won’t come true.” I told her this just after seeing one, wishing that we would be together forever.

  “Oh, I see.” Lyrica was now looking determinedly up at the twinkling glitter, just waiting for another rock to scratch the night sky. “This has been spectacular. I’ve never had anyone so nice take me out like this before.”

  “You deserve it; I’m just trying my best to make you happy.” We were no longer looking for falling rocks of light. We were now staring deeply into each other’s eyes.

  “How can I return the favor?” she said inquisitively.

  “Tell me your true feelings for me.”

  “I can’t. I can’t even fathom how to describe such deep love that I’m feeling.” We were now inching closer and closer.

  “Try.” Our faces were now centimeters apart.

  “I —”

  As she began to speak, a messenger came running over, hollering for me. He told us that the barbarians were spotted just outside of town, preparing weapons and suiting up in armor. I was told that I need to go join the army right away. “And, Lyrica, you must go to King’s chamber in the castle,” he said. Lyrica and I looked at one another, neither knowing what was going to happen next.

  “I love you!” I said to her as I grabbed her face and pulled it towards mine.

  “Hmm hmmph hmm!” She tried to say it back, but was muffled by my lips.

  Lyrica and I got up and went with the messenger back into town, Lyrica leaving for King once we reached the castle. We gave each other a final look and embraced goodbye. I rushed to join my fellow soldiers to learn what had developed outside of town. They were gathered in front of the village, evacuating everyone living there. Just as I arrived at their location, yells started to come from just beyond the tree line.

  As I looked to where the horrendous noise was coming from, a volley of arrows came crashing down around us. Few hit, though we knew it wouldn’t be long before another deadly blanket rained down. Those who were loyal to the land and brave at heart took off into the trees to fight off the attackers. Those who felt scared were trying to find shelter from the inevitable release of the next wave of arrows. All I could feel was love; love for Lyrica. My choice was made. I ran to the castle with a few others, to ‘protect King,’ as they were.

  The pounding on the wall matched the beating of everyone’s hearts. The stone barrier was crumbling; the wooden gate cracking and splintering. The yelling from both sides drowned each other out. Knights were running to fortify the walls and defend the kingdom. All I could think of was Lyrica. All I could think about was us, together.

  We were losing the fight; the enemy was almost inside our fortress. The savages attacking didn’t have anything to gain from this war, only imminent defeat from the neighboring kingdoms friendly to us. The few of us left to defend against them were attempting to sneak out to a safer location. I was trying to get to Lyrica.

  I ran through the town attempting to get to the castle. I heard a loud thunderous crash as a monumental rock broke through the wooden gate. I turned around as silence reigned for a moment. Then the dead air broke into terrified screams and bloodthirsty yells. The barbarians rushed into our land, taking everything in their path. I rushed inside the main castle doors, up the stairs to where my love resided.

  *****

  I arrived at King’s chamber to meet Lyrica. The room, colored in crimson and gold, was fit for a king; I personally couldn’t have felt more uncomfortable. The only people inside were King, Lyrica, and Mal. Lyrica turned to me and, with her sweet, calming voice said, “We need to leave, now.”

  “What did you see?” I quickly replied, as calmly as I could.

  “There’s no time to explain, we must get King to safety now!” Mal answered with the smugness that was characteristic.

  “We need to go immediately. Follow me and stay close.” King turned and led us to a secret passage underneath his cottage sized bed. “Lyrica, is this way clear?” His big, booming voice wasn’t reassuring at this point.

  “I can see most of the tunnel. I . . . I believe it’s still safe.”

  “Mal, you take the lead,” King ordered. Then, with a slight quiver in his voice, “Be prepared, at any moment, to turn if needed.”

  “Yes, sir, I shall not disappoint.”

  “I need you to stay in the back, Lyrica, to focus on getting us out of here alive. If you see anything, tell us immediately!” King dictated.

  “We must go now! We’re almost out of time!” Lyrica shouted.

  We hurried down the passage, one by one, crawling under the bed into the tunnel. It was well lit and fairly spacious, definitely fit for a king. Looking at our group, I felt as if I didn’t belong. At the front was Mel, dressed in his specially knitted suit. King followed him, draped in his luxurious cloth. I stayed close behind, my armor clanking as we moved swiftly through the stone carved pathway. Lyrica, the girl I would always fight for, brought up the end. She meant more to me now than anyone ever before.

  “We are clear from the back, no one is following us. I still can’t see very far down ahead. Mal, keep a sharp lookout.” Lyrica had a worried look on her face as she spoke the words.

  I always felt in the dark around the King. His private guard was kept secret from everyone else. Even being a general in his army I wasn’t privileged to certain information. The day I met Lyrica was the day I was awakened.

  We continued down the passage, going around each corner of the maze. I was lost from the start; Mal knew exactly where he was going. “How far does this go?” I asked, not sure if I was dis
turbing Mal or Lyrica’s concentration.

  “It was designed to slow down anyone in the scenario that we are followed. Fairly soon, we’ll reach the end and come up outside of the castle near the river.”

  “Is there anything waiting for us there?” I replied, wishing to hear anything hopeful.

  “Stop,” Lyrica whispered in a quick, hushed tone.

  “I hear them,” Mal whispered. Not halfway through his sentence, Mal vanished.

  Lyrica held me and the king back while we waited for Mal. She assured us that we were clear from behind. Down the way we heard two bodies fall to the ground, followed by a quiet voice. “It’s all clear.”

  “I don’t see anyone else right in front of us either,” Lyrica replied to the invisible man.

  Mal reappeared, with the middle of his body reappearing first, spreading to his limbs. Mal’s special clothes were made to blend with him. His family found a way to adapt their surrounds into themselves to become invisible. Through meditation and training, they’d learned to blend, move swiftly, and talk with their minds. There were rumors that other skills had been learned, though no one knew exactly what.

  Near the end of the passage we waited while Lyrica made sure nothing would be waiting for us. “I just can’t see anything, no matter how far I try to look. It’s like it’s blacked out somehow.”

  “Let me check if there’s anything right outside.” And off went the invisible man.

  “Hurry back!” King quietly called after him.

  I figured Mal must have gotten outside as some knights jumped on top of what seemed to be nothing. That nothing that made the knights float in the air, changed. Instead of changing to his visible human self, a furrier version started to take shape, one that was much larger. Within seconds the guards were flung from atop a floating space to being trampled and swatted at by a giant, hairy bear. The two knights were caught off guard as the bear picked one of them up and threw him further than I could see.