Dark Blue
916 Words
(11 Years Ago)
“I didn’t know there’d be such a cute little cabin out here,” Aqua said as she parked her ATV. “I wonder if there are more lucky stones nearby…”
A loud rustle snapped her attention to the trees. She spun around — and nearly collided with a tall, muscular boy carrying a bucket of fish and a wooden fishing pole. He stood behind her ATV, watching her with open curiosity and a lopsided grin.
He looked her age, maybe a year older. His eyes were a mesmerizing dark blue — the kind of blue that didn’t seem possible in real life. His shoulders were broad, his arms toned, and his straight jet‑black hair brushed the tops of his shoulders. If he went to her school, the girls would form a line around him like it was Black Friday at Hot Topic.
“Who are you?” he asked, smiling like he genuinely wanted to know.
“Um… Aqua,” she blurted, too startled to think of a fake name.
“Aqua? That’s a funny name.” He chuckled, but not unkindly. “I like it, though. Aqua…”
He said it again, slower, like he was tasting the sound. His eyes crinkled at the corners, making him look unfairly adorable.
Aqua knew she should be cautious around a stranger in the woods, but something about him felt warm. Safe.
“Well, my full name is Aquamarine, but everyone calls me Aqua,” she explained. “I was named after my mom’s favorite childhood movie.”
“I don’t know what a movie is,” he admitted, “but I like your name.”
Aqua blinked. “You’ve never seen a movie? Ever?”
“I guess not?” He looked genuinely worried. “Do I need to?”
“No! No, it’s fine. I made it sound like a big deal. It’s really not.” She laughed, embarrassed.
“Oh. Thank the moon goddess. I was nervous for a second.” His shoulders relaxed.
He stepped back toward the cabin. “It was nice meeting you, Aqua, but I need to clean these fish.”
“Wait! I didn’t even get your name!” she called, hopping off the ATV.
He froze, set the bucket down, and turned back to her.
“I’m so sorry. My grandfather would be furious if he saw me forget my manners.” He winced. “I swear he taught me better.”
“It’s okay,” Aqua said, smiling. “So… who are you? Do you live here with your grandfather?”
“My name is Kieran Castle,” he said, offering his hand. “This cabin is my home, but my grandfather doesn’t live with me anymore.”
Aqua shook his hand — then froze. “Wait. Did he ditch you? Are you living here alone?”
“Yes… but he didn’t ditch me.” Kieran’s voice softened. “He passed away almost a year ago.”
Aqua felt like the worst person alive. “Kieran, I’m so sorry. That must be awful.”
She awkwardly rubbed his arm — and immediately noticed how solid his muscles were. He gave her a watery smile, wiped his eyes, and straightened.
“I miss him, but I know he’s at peace in the moon realm with the rest of our family,” he said with quiet conviction.
Aqua didn’t understand the moon‑realm stuff, but she understood loss.
“Oh my gosh… does that mean your whole family is gone? Are you… an orphan?” she whispered, eyes stinging.
“Technically, most of my pack passed away,” he said with a shrug. “So… yeah. I guess I am.”
Aqua’s shoulders shook. Kieran blinked in alarm.
“Oh hey, Aqua! Are you okay?” he asked gently. “Come inside. I’ll get you a drink.”
He led her into the cabin, sat her at the breakfast bar, and hurried to his tiny fridge. He poured cool water into a tin cup and rubbed her back as she drank.
“Feeling better?” he asked softly.
“I’m sorry,” Aqua croaked. “Your story just made me so sad. I came here looking for lucky stones because I thought my life was bad… but compared to yours…”
“You came here for lucky stones?” he asked, confused.
Aqua sniffled, dug into her rucksack, and placed three stones into his palm.
“These. My dad said collecting them brings good luck. So… I want you to have them. You need them more than I do.”
Kieran examined one closely. “You think these are lucky stones?”
“Oh yes! My dad swears by them.”
“That’s pretty cool,” Kieran said. “I didn’t know those runes could do that.”
Aqua brightened. “And there should be more around your cabin! Look!”
She pulled out her homemade tracker.
“See these dots? That means more stones nearby.”
Kieran’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing. Can I borrow it?”
“You can keep it,” Aqua said. “I don’t think I’ll be hunting for more.”
And in that moment — in that tiny cabin with the boy who had nothing and still smiled like he had everything — Aqua realized how lucky she truly was.
And she had no idea that this small decision would change the rest of her life.
- Writer
