Requital

CHAPTER 3

Deianira

With only a little over a week left before Tarkik and I turn eighteen I cant contain my excitement. A few more days and I will find out my best friend is my forever. My mother and his have been preparing for the celebration.

"Deianira" mother says "Tarkik is here for you."

I race to the front of our home to greet him.

"Tar"I say, "I have missed you, what shall we do today?"

"I thought we should go find Apaay and go to our favorite part of the forest, our favorite tree."

He takes my hand and we stroll through the village looking for my girl best friend.

"De De" I hear and turn my head to the sound Apaays tinkling voice.

"Where are we off to?" She falls in step with us.

"Our tree," Tar looks down at me and smiles.

Off we went to our enchanted tree we spent climbing as kids. Its hollow in the inside, our parents help us build a little space inside to ward of the chill when it got to much for us. For me thats often, even after over ten years of this cold my body still isnt used to it. We arrive at the tree and head inside through the makeshift door. Apaay lights some candles and sits in one of the chairs we have in here. I pull out the books we have all been reading lately and we all get lost in other worlds than ours.

As the sun starts to set Apaay says "I think I need to head home to mother." I get up to get ready to leave as well but she stops me, "Hang out with Tar I know my way around these woods as you know." She gives me a knowing look with a wink then I hug her bye.

Her long charcoal hair blows in the wind as she leaves.

Silence greets my ears, the good kind though as I go to sit on Tars chair with him forgoing my own. As the days get closer to us becoming of age Ive gotten braver with what my intentions will be when we are eighteen. He pulls me into an embrace that feels different than any other. Does he feel it to? The pull thats growing stronger. These feelings of wanting more. Maybe even possibly a kiss? Weve never discussed our feelings, not out loud anyway just the looks of longing at one another.

"Tar," I say "With our birthdays fast approaching there are things I need to tell you."

"Me too," he says Things Ive needed to tell you for so long.

"I love you," I blurt out "I have for as long as I can remember, you saved me from the cold from myself, everyday you save me youve never left Im forever grateful I go on I love you more then a friend and I know when we do turn eighteen that you are the one tell me Tar do you feel it here?" I put my hand over his chest. He looks at me for quite some time until finally responding with his lips on mine. A kiss, weve never kissed at least not like this. Usually kisses on the cheek or he kisses my hand. My first kiss and its beyond words.

We break away from each other still embracing and so close our lips brush when he speaks, "I love you Deianira, its always been you." He kisses me again and fireworks explode. This is it all Ive wanted as long as I can remember. He pulls away again staring into my eyes and it's like every wall is down I can see the truth in his words. He loves me and we will be forever intwined, it is our destiny. He helps me stand and he takes my hand. Come it's getting late I must get you home for supper before your mother gives me a scolding. I laugh and follow him out. I clutch his hand the whole way home. This is all Ive ever wanted this cant be real. Just a few more days, my fated forever will claim me and all will be well. Or so I thought.....