ALWAYS YOU

Chapter 2 - THE BOY NEXT DOOR.

The summer after burying the time capsule passed much too quickly.

The oak tree stood quietly in Willow Creek Park, guarding the little metal lunchbox hidden beneath its roots. Every now and then, Rory would glance toward it whenever she walked by with Noah, wondering if the box was still there.

It always would be.

At least, that's what they believed.

"Rory! Breakfast!"

Mrs. Hart's voice echoed through the house.

"I'm coming!"

Eight-year-old Rory hurried downstairs, nearly tripping over the last step.

"Slow down," her father laughed as he folded his newspaper. "You're going to break something one of these days."

"I won't."

"You said that yesterday."

"And nothing broke."

Mrs. Hart placed a plate of pancakes in front of her daughter.

"Eat before Noah comes knocking."

Almost on cue...

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Noah!" Rory grinned.

She raced to the front door before either of her parents could stop her.

Standing outside was Noah, backpack slung over one shoulder and his bicycle beside him.

"Morning."

"You came early."

"My mum said if I didn't, you'd make me late for school."

"I have never made you late."

"You spent twenty minutes looking for your socks last week."

"They were hiding."

"They were under your bed."

"They hid there."

Noah laughed.

"You have the weirdest excuses."

"And yet you're still here."

"Unfortunately."

Rory pretended to slam the door.

"You can walk to school alone."

"I'm sorry!"

"No, you're not."

"...I'm a little sorry."

She burst into laughter.

"Come inside. Mum made pancakes."

Breakfast with the Harts had become one of Noah's favorite routines.

Mrs. Hart always made enough food for him without asking.

Mr. Hart always teased him.

"So," Mr. Hart said, sipping his coffee.

"You planning on marrying my daughter one day?"

Rory nearly choked on her juice.

"Dad!"

Noah's face turned bright red.

"We're only eight!"

Mrs. Hart couldn't stop laughing.

"They're just children."

"I know," Mr. Hart replied with a grin.

"But look at them."

Both children avoided eye contact.

"I think they're embarrassed."

"We are!" Rory exclaimed.

"Good."

Mr. Hart smiled.

"I'll ask again in ten years."

"Dad!"

Noah hid his face behind a pancake.

The walk to Willow Creek Elementary was only fifteen minutes.

Every morning, the same routine played out.

Noah waited outside Rory's house.

They argued about something ridiculous.

Then they walked to school together.

Today was no different.

"I bet I can get there first."

"No running."

"Why?"

"You'll lose."

"I won't."

"Ready?"

"Three..."

"Two..."

"One!"

They both sprinted down the sidewalk.

Mrs. Johnson, who was watering flowers nearby, shook her head with a smile.

"Those two never stop competing."

Noah won.

Barely.

"I beat you," he said proudly, trying to catch his breath.

"You cheated."

"I didn't."

"You started early."

"I started on 'one.'"

"I started after 'one.'"

"That's because races begin on 'one.'"

"They begin after 'one.'"

"That's not how numbers work."

"It is in my world."

Noah sighed dramatically.

"Your world has strange rules."

"It also has pancakes."

"...Fair point."

School was just as lively as ever.

Their classroom buzzed with excitement as students talked about their summer holidays.

Mrs. Evans clapped her hands.

"Settle down, everyone."

The room slowly grew quiet.

"We have a new seating arrangement this year."

A chorus of groans filled the classroom.

"No..."

"Please don't move me."

Mrs. Evans smiled knowingly.

"I promise you'll survive."

Rory glanced nervously toward Noah.

Please let us sit together...

Mrs. Evans began reading names.

"Noah Brooks..."

He stood.

"Second row."

He smiled.

Not bad.

"Rory Hart..."

She held her breath.

"...beside Noah."

Both children smiled without realizing it.

"I guess you're stuck with me again," Noah whispered.

"I suppose I can tolerate you."

"Only tolerate?"

"Maybe... like you a little."

"Only a little?"

"Don't push your luck."

During recess, they sat beneath the biggest tree in the schoolyard.

Not as magnificent as the oak tree in the park.

But close enough.

Rory opened her lunchbox.

Peanut butter sandwich.

Apple slices.

Chocolate cookies.

Noah peeked over.

"You have cookies."

"I do."

"I don't."

"That's unfortunate."

He gave her the saddest puppy-dog eyes he could manage.

She rolled her eyes.

"You practice that face, don't you?"

"...Maybe."

She laughed before handing him one.

"Only one."

"You're the best."

"I know."

Later that afternoon, as school ended, dark clouds gathered above Willow Creek.

"I think it's going to rain," Rory said.

Noah looked up.

"We can make it home."

The first raindrop landed on Rory's nose.

Then another.

And another.

Within seconds...

It was pouring.

"Run!" Noah shouted.

The two children sprinted through the rain, laughing so hard they could barely breathe.

Halfway home, Rory slipped on the wet pavement.

Before she hit the ground...

A familiar hand caught hers.

"You okay?"

She looked up.

Noah was still holding her hand tightly.

"I'm okay."

"You should watch where you're going."

"You sound old."

"I sound smart."

"You sound annoying."

He smiled.

"But I still caught you."

Rory smiled back.

"...Yeah."

"You always do."

For just a second, neither of them let go.

Then a loud clap of thunder echoed across the sky.

Rory jumped.

Without thinking...

She grabbed Noah's arm.

He looked at her and smiled.

"Scared?"

"No."

"Liar."

"...Maybe a little."

"It's okay."

He offered his hand again.

"We'll run together."

Rory smiled.

"Together."

Hand in hand, they ran through the rain toward home, laughing all the way.

Neither of them noticed the old oak tree in the distance, its branches swaying gently in the storm.

Beneath its roots, the little metal time capsule waited patiently.

And so did the promise inside it.