"Where do you live, Will?"
He pointed to the path I ran from. "That way. Far, from here."
"From Centralia?"
"No. I mean far from my house. I ugh, fallen down from the car and ran in the woods until I stopped here and saw this place."
"Oh my! You fall? That's dangerous! Is anyone looking for you now?"
His sunny gaze suddenly darkens and he sighed. "Soon."
"Aren't you going to find them too?"
Will snickers and he look at me while shaking his head.
"You are a very chatty girl."
I snorted.
"You are no different yourself, Will."
Him laughing loudly next actually surprised me. His laughter was genuine, bright and just contagious that I ended up laughing too. "I know. Even I am surprised. I... never talk much. I must be comfortable with you."
He look back at us and pointed at the Waterfall as he shift his gaze at me.
"Is this the Everlasting Fall that the townsfolk always talk about? I understand why it for its name now."
"Yeah. If you see down there, there is nothing. No end. It's as if you just disappear from the world and never to be seen again. How scary."
"Not for those who wish to not be found, Lili."
"Is that person you?"
"Why do you ask that?'
"I felt nervous and sounded nervous as I replied to that question but I didn't care. My curiosity got the best of me. Because you were sitting on the ledge and almost wants to fall."
"A part of me feel like it. My home... its... sometimes, just ending it all feels like the best thing I can do for myself."
I bit my lip. Took a few minutes before asking him again.
"Do people hurt you, Will?"
He turned at me looking surprised and shocked I ask that "Why?"
"Your hand has old scars. Just like the boys when they work in the farm. Alex has that too. Especially a bigger one if he break something. It's his punishment. Is that your punishment as well?"
A long sigh cam from him and he finally nodded. "Yes."
I nodded. Didn't know what to say so I crawl towards him on the grass and pull his hand to my lap. He stare at me puzzled and I smiled at him. Trying to reassure him as I say, " It's okay, Will. Things will get better after that."
Will actually tighten his grip around mine and he asked me. "And how would you know that?"
I didn't know how his warm eyes looked so lonely and sad. He was big and strong but he looked hurt and it pained me to see him that way.
"I don't. I don't know many things but everytime I feel sad, I would be happy again after that. Grandma always say that there will always a rainbow after a rain. Good will always triumph over bad thing. Especially when you have people you love around you."
He laughed at me and replied. "I think you mean triumph over evil."
I rolled my eyes but still smiling. "Same thing."
"You know...You're right. Things tend to get better when the people you love is near you. I have two little brothers that I love. I hope they love me the same way too. They are the only reason I'm not falling over the ledge."
How interesting. Two brothers? It made me curious now whether all two of them looks similar to their eldest brother here.
"Why would they be the reason you want to fall off the ledge?"
"If I go, they'll get hurt instead. I have to stay... for them. It gets lonely sometimes but being the eldest, I have no choice. It's either being happy or survive. I choose survive."
My heart melts for this boy. I covered his hands with mine and he gave me a longing stare. Painful but glowing when he stare at me.
"You don't have to be lonely again, Will. You have me now because I care about you."
He smiled yet it look so sad as he replied
"You're just a little kid. You will forget about me, one day."
I was upset by what he believe to be true but a part of me too believe that I might forget about him one day if this were to be our final meeting.
I look around me, left and right and finally down to my wrist where my necklace which I made by myself is resting on my neck. I immediately get the necklace off of me and hand it out to Will.
"Take this."
Will took it from me and see the silver chain with a small star hanging from it. It glitters in the middle.
"A necklace? Buy or made"
I responded. "Made. I made one for grandma and now, you have one too. This is the brightest star in Centralia. If you ever feel lonely, just touch these stars and you will remember me. It's how I remember my mother. I touch my necklace and I know she is here with me."
Then, I offer my palm to Will which he looked down at it and frowned.
"What?"
"Give me something too. You won't forget about me now so give me something that would not make me forget about you."
Will didn't say a word. He just smiled and later, raises his wrist to his face and took off his watch. Putting the silver watch on my hand, I was in awe with how pretty and new it looked.
"This is a pretty watch."
"My mother gave it to me. It's funny how this watch too have a star. Look inside it. See how it turns colour when you move it around."
I did as he told and chuckled in my spot.
"I see it! It's so pretty but... your mother give it to you. How can you give it to me?"
"I just did, didn't I? Just take it. Now we both will remember each other."
Will pat my head and I smiled. Happy at the bond we have and happy to actually know this man more. Not even Jeddy could made her feel that way.
Smitten and shy, Will was definitely special.
"You know something Lili, other than my my mother, you are the only person that has been nice to me. Thank you."
I nodded wirh a red cheek. "Your welcome."
Suddenly, a loud scream though from a afar echoes near them and Will smile drops immediately.
"Shit! They're coming."
Will got up and pat his dirty pants. He looked worried and angry.
"You have to leave now?" I asked and my voice sound disappointed.
"I'm afraid so."
"Hmmm...Will I ever see you again?"
I look at him with my glassy, hopeful eyes. Grandma was said it looks like a puppy and it was hard to day no to it so I guess I will use it on Will.
No way he can resist this.
He chuckled softly. "Of course, Lili. We have gifts from each other to remember us by, now. I don't know when or where, I will find you again."
"Do you promise, Will?" I offered my pinky finger to him so we can seal the deal but what he did next surprised me.
His face got closer to mine and I gasped softly when he kissed my cheeks.
"I swear it." He says after planting his lips on my cheek.
It was soft and warm.
I can feel my cheek burning up when I pulled away. Cupping the spot where he grazes his touch on me and I asked him, "Did you just kiss my cheek?"
"Why? I can't?"
I immediately shook my head hard enough, I feel a tinge of pain on the back of my neck. "No... nothing... Prince usually kiss on the lips. That's how all princesses book goes."
I thought Will smile made him handsome but his grin made me want to cry in joy. How can an 8 year old feels like this?
"Yeah? Alright then. When you're all grown up, I will kiss you like a prince, okay?"
It bit my lip as I feel myself about to smile like a Cheshire cat. I nodded and touch my mouth. "Okay."
Will got up and I got up too. We both patted our own bodies and I feel sadness begins to dawn over me when I see Will look at the path heading to the road.
He looked back at me and brush the top of my head.
"I'll see you again, Lili."
I nodded and just like that the warmth of his hand disappears from my head and I look up to see him walking towards the path. He would turn a few times to see me and I would waved my hand goodbye.
Watching his silhouette disappear right around the trees. A part of me wanted to run after him. Persuading him to stay because I too don't have many friends. We would be the bestest there is and I fiddled at the thought of Alex being jealous of us.
Nevertheless, it wasn't just a friend I was hoping or expecting from him.
His sweet smile, hurt but strong eyes, dark hair and blue eyes was so beautiful and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I feel my cheek burning with fever but I know I was not sick to be feeling that way.
I know that I had fallen in love with Will, the boy who had kissed my cheek and gave me his priceless watch. He was like my Cinderella and I will always treasure the gift he gave me.
If I knew this would be the last time I ever saw him, I would've kissed him too. Our interaction was short and his laughter was cut too fast. His blood dried up on the tip of my finger and I remembered how warm and tanned his skin was. Alex was warned too but he never made her blush like this.
My Will.
I just hope he still remembers no matter where he is...