Starry-Eyed
Kacie Rumens
The night sky is black as we slip softly into
the dark. With a glance back at my house I see the
light curtains flutter gently in a warm breeze. My
gaze turns to her and the fireflies dance in my heart.
She smiles with roses blooming in her cheeks and
she seeks out my hand to claim it. Our fingers
entwine as we weave through the trees.
The air warms as we near our destination.
Flickers of orange and red play between the trees
and a pleasant, warm mist rises from the scuffed
dirt behind us as we run. The glowing brightens so
we slow, closing the distance to the edge of the
woods. Her hand tightens around mine. She bites
her lip and leans forward into the walk. Stray hairs
fly free from her dark braid, so I reach up with our
held hands to tuck them away. I glide my hand
down her cheek and the roses come back to her.
They bloom on the tips of her nose and ears. She
brushes a kiss across my knuckles as our hands
then rest between us. We shift our eyes to the edge,
and she glances back to me. I nod, reassuring her.
This is exceptional.