Promises between two people
1099 Words
Just then, she stopped and pointed ahead.
"There."
Standing proudly among the other pines was a tall, perfectly shaped Christmas tree.
Its branches were full and even, reaching towards the clear blue Texas sky.
Kristopher looked up and smiled.
"I think we found it."
Sienna looked at the tree, then back towards the ranch where her grandparents, cousins and friends were waiting.
For the first time in a long while...
She wasn't just hoping her family could heal.
She believed they might—if everyone was willing to do the work.
They stood quietly, looking up at the tall pine tree they had chosen.
"It really is the perfect one," Sienna said with a smile.
Kristopher nodded, but his mind seemed elsewhere.
Before lifting the axe, he cleared his throat.
"Sea..."
She turned towards him.
"Yeah?"
He hesitated for a moment.
"Before we go back..."
"Can we sit for a minute?"
Sienna noticed the seriousness in his voice.
"Of course."
They found a large fallen log nearby and sat side by side. The woods were peaceful, with only the gentle breeze moving through the branches above them.For a while, neither of them spoke.
Kristopher finally broke the silence.
"I've been carrying something around for a long time."
Sienna looked at him patiently.
"You can tell me anything."
He smiled faintly.
"I know."
"That's one of the reasons this is so difficult."
He took a deep breath.
"When we were younger, you were my best friend."
"Then somewhere along the way..."
"You became the first person I wanted to tell when something good happened."
"The first person I worried about when something went wrong."
"The first person I looked for whenever I walked into a room."
He laughed quietly.
"I don't even think I noticed it happening."
"It just... happened."
Sienna listened without saying a word.
"When you disappeared after the competition..."
"I was terrified."
"It wasn't because I'd let a friend down."
"It was because I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to you."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"That's when I finally admitted something to myself."
"I've fallen in love with you."
The words hung gently between them.
Kristopher didn't look away.
"I love your kindness."
"I love how you always see the best in people."
"I love the way you disappear into one of your paintings and forget the rest of the world exists."
"I even love the fact that you apologise to horses when you accidentally bump into them."
Sienna laughed through the tears gathering in her eyes.
"I've seen the way you put everyone else before yourself."
"And honestly..."
"I wish you'd let someone put you first for once."
He took another steady breath.
"When I think about my future..."
"I don't think about fast cars or big houses."
"I think about coming home after a long day and finding you covered in paint because you've been working on another masterpiece."
"I think about making you a cup of tea while you tell me about your day."
"I think about growing old with my best friend."
He smiled warmly.
"You're more than my best friend now, Sea."
"You're the person I could imagine waking up beside every morning."
"The person I'd choose, every single day."
He quickly added,
"I'm not telling you this because I expect an answer."
"And I'm definitely not asking you to choose between me and everything else you're dealing with."
"I just wanted you to know the truth."
"No matter what happens..."
"I'm staying."
"I'll still be your best friend."
"I'll still have your back."
"I'll still be the one cheering the loudest at every art competition."
Sienna wiped away a tear.
"You really mean all of that?"
Kristopher smiled.
"I've never been more certain of anything."
Sienna looked out across the trees before turning back to him.
"My heart is still healing."
"I don't know what tomorrow looks like."
"But I do know this..."
She reached over and gently took his hand.
"When I'm with you..."
"I feel safe."
"I feel seen."
"And I feel like I don't have to pretend to be anyone else."
A smile spread across Kristopher's face.
"That's all I needed to hear."
Neither of them said anything else.
They simply sat together in the quiet woods, hands gently intertwined, knowing that whatever the future held, they would face it together—one step at a time.
After a few peaceful minutes, Sienna smiled.
"Come on."
"We've got a Christmas tree waiting for us."
Kristopher laughed as he stood and picked up the axe.
"Then let's take it home."
Together, they walked towards the tall pine tree, their friendship stronger than ever and the promise of something more gently beginning to blossom.
For a little while, neither of them spoke.
They simply sat together beneath the towering pine trees, the winter breeze gently rustling the branches overhead.
Sienna looked down at their hands before turning to Kristopher.
"I don't want to rush this."
Kristopher nodded.
"I don't either."
"I've waited this long."
"I can wait a little longer."
She smiled softly.
"I meant what I said."
"My heart is still healing."
"But when I'm with you..."
"It feels peaceful."
Kristopher gently squeezed her hand.
"Then that's enough for me."
"I don't need all the answers today."
Sienna looked into his eyes.
"Can we make each other a promise?"
"Anything," he replied.
"No more hiding how we feel."
"If something is bothering us..."
"We talk."
"If we're happy..."
"We share it."
"If we're scared..."
"We say it."
Kristopher smiled.
"No guessing."
"No pretending we're okay."
"No keeping everything bottled up."
Sienna nodded.
"Exactly."
He held out his little finger with a laugh.
"A proper promise?"
She laughed and hooked her little finger around his.
"A proper promise."
After a moment, Sienna became thoughtful.
"I don't know where this is going to lead."
"But..."
She smiled shyly.
"I have a feeling something really special is growing between us."
Kristopher's smile widened.
"So do I."
"I don't know what the future holds..."
"But I'd like to discover it with you."
Sienna felt her cheeks warm.
"I'd like that too."
She leaned her head gently against his shoulder.
"I think..."
"If we keep being honest with each other..."
"This could grow into something amazing."
Kristopher rested his head lightly against hers.
"I think so too."
Neither of them said another word.
There was no need.
For now, a promise was enough.
A promise to be honest.
A promise to trust each other.
And a promise to see where their hearts would lead them, one day at a time.
- Writer
