❝ Does it ever drive you crazy
Just how fast the night changes? ❞

-

Seven years old Aira was weeping as she sat under her favourite spot - the golden wattle tree. She sniffled as she tried to hold back her tears but couldn't, which resulted in more crying. As she rubbed her tear stained cheeks, she heard a voice that brought her back from the trail of thoughts, "Why are you crying?"

Her eyes that were settled on her lap raised to see whom the voice belonged. As she tilted her head slightly, she noticed a boy with curly brown hair and green eyes, approximately her age, staring at her with curiosity evident in them. She parted her lips and responded, "They're not letting me play with them. They say I'm weird because I don't have a father." A complaint slipped off her mouth pointing out towards the kids that were playing on the swings.

The boy followed the direction at which her finger pointed and scoffed, "You don't need them. They're stupid. I'll play with you." He gave her one of his million dollar smile as she cleared her throat and blinked the tears in her eyes.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Really." He confirmed his words once more as she rubbed her eyes, letting a small smile show up on her face.

The boy extended his hand towards her in order to introduce himself. "I'm Ethan. What's your name?"

"I'm Aira. Nice to meet you."

"Wow! You got a nice name. Also, you're so pretty." His eyes twinkled in pure adoration for her as she blushed at his little compliment.

"Thanks." Her cheeks turned into a visible tomato red colour as she tried her best not to show her profuse blushing, but failed to do so. She wasn't good in responding to compliments and that caused her to blush even more. Now not knowing what to do, she did what she thought would be okay and gave a small peck on his cheek which made his eyes wide in astonishment and cheeks burn due to blushing, just like hers.

♡

"You're so pretty." Ethan whispered in Aira's ear as she stared at the same golden wattle tree where they first met. The ground where their friendship started. All the pleasant memories hit them as they took a walk by the park.

We're only getting older, baby

"Fishing for kisses now, are we?" She smirked at his silly gesture and saw him smiling sheepishly.

"I wasn't but if you're so keen in giving then why not?" He raised his brows at her teasingly, knowing that would cause her to blush. Just like she always did. And like the old times, she did blush and that caused him to smile in victory and giggle at how cute his best friend can be sometimes.

And I've been thinking about it lately

"Shut up, idiot." She hit him slightly on his arm but still had a blushing face on. Like the old times, she wasn't too good in responding to compliments and that made her look cuter than she thinks she does.

Her eyes wandered around the playground, as she tried to remember her happy childhood days.

"Ethan, remember the sunsets? They were so beautiful." A glint of adoration reflected upon her eyes as she saw the sun setting. He studied her face carefully as the side of her eyes would crinkle when she smiled like she meant it, the way a cute dimple would adorn her left cheek when she laughed and the way happiness radiated through her sending out positive vibes everywhere just like a ray of sunshine.

Does it ever drive you crazy

A smile automatically plastered on his face. "Truly beautiful." He answered, clearly not paying attention on any sunset, instead keeping his eyes on the only treasure he has. Her.

She turned her gaze towards him and caught him staring at her. Her eyes filled with many unanswered questions and a little sadness. She lowered her gaze and regained her composure.

"Thanks for coming here with me." Trying hard to change the topic, she tried diverting all the attention she had upon herself. He nodded at her and gave a smile which she knew he truly meant. She loves the way he smiles. Hell she loves everything he does. You can even say she loves him. She realised it way before but is too scared to admit it.

After the way she noticed him staring at her, she was well confirmed that he shared the same feelings. A strong feeling of admitting her love suddenly rose up in her, but she knew if she confronts it to him, she'd be nothing but selfish. She knew if he stays with her, he'll get nothing but a broken heart and that's not what she wanted. He deserves a better life, a better someone. After all she's not willing to make his life as vulnerable as hers. No she can't be that selfish.

Sometimes she'd just wish they never grew up. She wished they stayed the same ; kids with innocence filled in them. But she knew it wasn't possible now and she can do nothing to reverse the time and maybe that did drive her crazy.

Just how fast the night changes.