The promise of spring was in the air, and the world seemed a little brighter with each passing day. Sunny walked along the sunlit pavement, her steps light and carefree. The soft breeze teased her orange-dyed hair, which was curlier than usual, bouncing gently with every step. She had been experimenting with her hair a lot over the years, always favoring warm tones like her natural blonde, strawberry blonde, orange, and occasionally even daring red. Recently, she had also taken to adding extensions, giving her hair a fuller, more dramatic look when she felt like switching things up. Today, her locks matched the sun's warmth, cascading over her shoulders and peeking out from beneath her signature orange cap. Her sundress swayed around her knees, its floral pattern complementing the cheerful energy she radiated.
For the first time in a long while, her chest felt lighter. Graduating high school had been a significant milestone, and though the past few months had been challenging, she was starting to feel like she was finally getting her life together. She had been balancing everything better: the band, her personal projects, and even the quiet moments she'd learned to savor. Today was one of those moments. The sun was shining, the air carried the faint scent of blooming flowers, and the city felt alive with possibility.
Sunny found a quiet spot beneath a sprawling tree in the park and settled herself on the cool grass. She pulled out her sketchbook, the pages worn and filled with years of doodles, designs, and bursts of creativity. As her pencil moved across the page, her mind wandered. The lines flowed effortlessly, forming patterns and shapes that reflected the warmth of the day. And then, without realizing it, her pencil hesitated, and a name appeared on the page: Zane.
Sunny blinked, staring at the name. She hadn't meant to write it, but there it was, as if her subconscious had taken over. A soft smile tugged at her lips, and she leaned back against the tree trunk, closing her eyes for a moment. She still missed him. Even after months apart, the absence of his vibrant energy felt like a missing piece in their lives.
Her thoughts drifted back to the time they'd spent together. Though it had been short, Zane had left an undeniable impact on all of them. She remembered his boldness during practice, always trying to claim the spotlight, and how it earned him a mutter from Laura, a chuckle from Axel, and a grin from Sunny herself. He had a way of bringing something unique to their dynamic, pushing them to step outside their comfort zones. And he had pushed her too, in the best way. His energy challenged her, made her want to rise to his level, to match his spark.
She couldn't help but think of one particular afternoon. The memory came to her vividly, a sunny day much like this one. The group had decided to rehearse outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and the change of scenery. Zane had brought his camera, as he often did. He had a habit of capturing everything around him, chasing the perfect frame wherever it might appear. Sunny had watched him work, fascinated by his focus, though she didn't quite understand it. She preferred to draw, to create something from her imagination rather than simply capture what was already there.
But somehow, their differences had complemented each other. Zane would show her the photos he'd taken, explaining the angles, the lighting, and the story behind each shot, while she would sketch her interpretations of those moments, adding her own flair. It had felt... natural. Effortless. Like they were two halves of the same creative coin.
Her smile grew wistful as she opened her eyes, looking up at the sky through the branches of the tree. "You really left a mark, didn't you?" she whispered softly, her voice carried away by the breeze.
The sound of laughter echoed from a nearby group of kids playing, pulling her back to the present. Sunny flipped the page in her sketchbook and began to draw again, her lines flowing with renewed energy. This time, she didn't shy away from what her heart wanted to express. Her pencil captured the essence of a moment: a figure standing in the sunlight, camera in hand, the faintest smirk on his face.
For Sunny, it wasn't just about remembering Zane—it was about honoring the way he'd influenced her. His confidence, his creativity, and his unapologetic way of being himself had left her with something she could carry forward. And as she finished the sketch, she felt a quiet sense of peace. Some people leave footprints that never fade, and Zane's had been etched deeply into her heart.