_HaruWrites

Follows the journey of two childhood friends, Lily and Ethan, who made a promise under the old oak tree to always be there for each other. However, as they grow older, life takes them on different paths, and their promise fades into distant memory. Years later, a chance encounter brings them back together, forcing them to confront the forgotten promise and the feelings they once shared. Through heartfelt conversations and rediscovered emotions, Lily and Ethan navigate the complexities of friendship, love, and the enduring power of promises. Will they be able to rekindle the bond they once shared, or will the weight of time and distance prove too heavy to bear?

The Forgotten Promise  (Short Story)

The Whispers of the Meadow

The old oak tree stood sentinel in the heart of the meadow, its gnarled branches reaching towards the sky like gnarled fingers. Beneath its shade, two children, Lily and Ethan, sat side by side, their laughter echoing through the summer air. They were inseparable, two souls intertwined, their friendship a beacon of joy in the quiet countryside.

"Look, Ethan!" Lily exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. She held up a dandelion, its fluffy white head shimmering in the sunlight. "It's like a little cloud!"

Ethan, ever the pragmatist, chuckled. "It's a dandelion, Lily," he said, gently taking the flower from her. "But it is pretty."

Lily, undeterred, giggled. "We can make wishes on it!" she declared, puffing on the dandelion with a mischievous grin. "I wish for a castle with a thousand rooms and a garden full of flowers!"

Ethan smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "And what would you do in a castle with a thousand rooms?" he asked, his voice tinged with playful curiosity.

"I'd have a room for every day of the year!" Lily exclaimed, her eyes widening with imagination. "And a secret passageway leading to a hidden garden where I could grow all my favorite flowers."

"And what about you, Ethan?" Lily asked, her gaze turning serious. "What would you wish for?"

Ethan hesitated, his gaze drifting to the old oak tree, its branches casting a dappled shadow over the meadow. "I wish for a life where I can always be with you," he said, his voice soft and sincere.

Lily's smile softened, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "We'll always be together, Ethan," she said, her voice filled with a certainty that warmed his heart. "We're best friends, and best friends always stay together."

They spent their days exploring the meadow, their laughter echoing through the trees as they built forts from fallen branches, their imaginations weaving stories from the rustling leaves. They shared secrets whispered under the watchful gaze of the old oak tree, their bond unbreakable, their love for each other a silent, unspoken truth.

"Look, Ethan!" Lily cried out, her voice filled with excitement. She pointed to a cluster of wildflowers, their vibrant colors a splash of beauty against the green canvas of the meadow. "They're like tiny rainbows!"

Ethan, ever the observant one, nodded. "They are beautiful," he said, his voice filled with a quiet admiration. "Just like you, Lily."

Lily giggled, her face flushed with a mixture of shyness and delight. "You're silly, Ethan," she said, playfully swatting his arm. "But I like you silly."

They continued their exploration, their laughter echoing through the meadow, their hearts beating in unison, their bond a testament to the power of a childhood friendship, a friendship that was more than just friendship, a friendship that held the promise of something more, something deeper, something that whispered of a love that transcended time and circumstance.

Chapter 1