It’s August first.

As I lay in the meadow, I could feel the wind blowing across my face. The sky was a bright robin egg blue. White, puffy clouds made their way across the sky. Tall, gentle grass was swaying all around. I could feel the thin pieces tickle my bare arms and legs.  

Off in the distance was a dense forest. I’ve never been allowed to enter it. My parents say it’s too dangerous for a girl my age. 

I turned twelve one month ago.

July first had been a happy day for me. 

Nearly all of my friends from school were there. I had a large cake and was given many gifts and birthday cards. I didn’t need so many presents, but it was a nice feeling to be loved. It wasn’t that love was lacking in my life. I had a nice home and the greatest parents a child could ask for. 

I was happy. 

I sat up and leaned back, putting all my weight onto my elbows. If I closed my eyes, I could pretend I was a bird, soaring high across the sky. A few bumble bees buzzed lazily on by. I’ve never been stung before but I suppose it’s because I find their sound relaxing and don’t freak out when they come near.

The sound brought me back to when I was five or six. I had lived in a different town, in a different house. But that was when my parents had money troubles, as they called it. When Mom finally got the promotion she needed, we packed up and moved from Castlebrooke to a large city called Oakville.  

This is where I met my best friend, Quinn Adams. It isn’t easy making new friends, but with his shock of blonde hair and dark blue eyes, I instantly knew we’d become friends. 

I’m the complete opposite of Quinn. 

I have black hair and bright green eyes. Even my name added to the noticeable difference between us: Zenna Harrison.

It’s not a common name, even in this town. 

The cool thing about us is that our birthdays are exactly one month apart. Mine is July first and Quinn’s is August first. I know it isn’t anything to get excited over. I like knowing we have something that links us together, even if it doesn’t quite make sense to others. 

I tried explaining it to Quinn once, but he thought I was being weird. I was seven at the time, so I suppose I was being a bit strange.

I had about a week left before I started eighth grade. I really wanted to explore the forest before then. It wasn’t every day a person got to experience a new adventure. 

Quinn promised me we would explore on his birthday. 

I suppose this is where our friendship started to become shaky…at least on my end. I was starting to become…attached to Quinn. More than I knew I should.

I couldn’t help it. 

“Zenna!” I heard a voice call out. “Zeeeennnnnaaaaa!” 

I felt a smile stretch across my face. “I’m over here, Quinn!” I shouted, hearing his feet trample through the gentle meadow grass. 

I closed my eyes and breathed in the sweet summer air. A shadow loomed over my face, blocking out the bright sunlight. 

“Why are you laying down, Z?” Quinn asked as he plopped beside me. 

I smiled at my nickname. He was the only one who called me Z. “Because it’s a beautiful day and someone was late.” I felt a light smack on the top of my head and my eyes popped open as I turned to look at Quinn. “It’s rude to hit people, Q.” 

I started calling him this after I asked him multiple times to stop calling me Z. Naturally, he didn’t listen. I had to get back at him for my nickname. The odd thing was, he never protested his nickname. He seemed to enjoy it. 

Quinn laughed loudly. “It’s not rude to hit you.”

I reached over and shoved him to the ground. “Then it’s not rude to hit you.” 

“Point taken.” Quinn muttered, picking himself back up. “I was late because I was inspecting a trail I found. I think you’ll like it.” 

I smiled when I met his deep, deep blue eyes. I felt my face start to redden, but I passed it off as the summer heat getting to me. I looked up to the sky and shaded my eyes. “It’s a bit hot today.” 

“It’ll be cooler in the forest.” Quinn rose to his feet. 

I grinned to myself, getting up. “Lead the way, fearless leader.” 

The meadow looked so peaceful that I almost felt something like heartache. I never wanted it to change. 

“I got a dog.” Quinn said sometime later. We were almost to the forest’s edge. 

“Oh? What kind?” 

“A yellow lab. I named her Princess.” 

I couldn’t hide my snort as we came to a sudden stop beneath a thick patch of shade. Quinn punched me in the arm a little harder than was necessary. 

“What’s so funny about that?” he demanded, as stubborn as ever. 

I fought to contain my laughter, but the indignant look on his face made me laugh harder. “I’m sorry,” I gasped. “It just surprised me you would name a dog ‘Princess’. I didn’t mean to laugh.” 

Quinn glared at me then his expression became soft. “I think you’ll like her. She’s only four months old. I get to train her myself.” 

“Labs are pretty smart, right?” 

“Yeah. I suppose,” Quinn muttered. “Look, there’s the path.” 

Anticipation for an adventure took my mind off the dog. I started bouncing up and down with excitement. “Let’s go!” 

Quinn shared a smile with me and we entered the dark and forbidden forest. I think most of my excitement came from the idea I wasn’t allowed to enter the forest. Most of the time I did things because I was told not to. 

I was in the process of working on that. 

As soon as we started down the path, the forest wrapped us in its cool blanket of leaves and mystery. It was thick with brush and branches curved and twisted in complex ways. The leaves were still bright and green and wonderful. The wind made a soft rustling that soothed my mind. 

A few leaves fell to the ground. Quinn stopped to pick one up. “It matches your eyes.” 

A blush crept its way onto my face. His statement was so sudden and unexpected that I stopped walking and stared at him like a deer caught in headlights. “Um…thank you…” I didn’t know what else to say. 

Quinn met my startled expression. I was surprised at how serious he looked. “Don’t forget about me. Promise me you won’t forget.” 

I laughed nervously. “Of course I won’t. How could I? Just promise me you won’t forget me and we’ll call it a day.” 

Quinn took a few steps closer and rested his hand on top of my head. “I promise I won’t forget you. Ever.” He leaned in close and planted a kiss on my forehead. 

My heart was pounding oddly in my chest and my breath hitched a little when he didn’t move away. “Uh…what are you doing?” 

“It’s my birthday. I’m allowed to do whatever I want.” 

I sighed when I realized he could easily get his way with that simple little statement. 

I don’t know how long we stood there. But it was long enough that, despite the cool shadows and light breeze, my hands were slick with sweat and my heart was pounding loud in my ears. I couldn’t get over how close he was. 

When the forest darkened, I knew it was getting late. It was almost time to return home. 

Quinn gave a laugh, making me jump. When he pulled away, I noticed with annoyance he was a good three inches taller than me. I opened my mouth to complain about it, but the complaint got lost in my throat. 

Being this close, I could see how deep and how blue his eyes were. They were so warm and gentle. 

Quinn’s expression shifted back to normal. “Thanks, Zenna.” He glanced up at the sky. “I think it might be time to head back.” 

I glanced up as well. “Yes. Our parents will start to worry.” 

We hadn’t ventured too far down the trail, but that wasn’t why my heart was suddenly fluttering. On the way back home, Quinn and I held hands the entire time.  

The rest of our summer vacation went in much the same way. Every time Quinn and I went somewhere on our own, we always held hands. Our parents thought it was cute. I thought it was sweet. 

But I soon learned time would become my greatest enemy.