Bonfire

[†Øߡ§™ Knight]

Tobias nodded at Lyra. I think it worked, he thought happily. Tobias looked at his hot dog and frowned after Lyra ate half of it. It was just like Lyra to eat half of TK's food.

"I might as well go to college. I don't have anyplace else to go," Tobias remarked with a shrug. He ate the rest of the hot dog.

Tobias laughed at Lyra's misfortune as sand got in her eyes. She was clumsy. "Good job," Tobias mockingly said to Lyra. Tossing the roasting stick in the fire, Tobias moved closer to Lyra. "Anything I can do to help?"

[Lyra ♫♪ Calnote]

Lyra pulled down an eyelid and blew up wards to try to blow sand out. Wouldn't work. Lyra rubbed her eyes for a couple of seconds till it hurt. She blinked, eyes red. "I think I'm good," Lyra said with a nod. "Yeah, I'm good," she smiled at TK, "thank you for your offer though!"

Lyra looked up at TK, a rush of emotion flowed through her body. "We've known each other for... seven years now, I think. That's a long time..." she tried to hold back tears forming. Her throat started to hurt. After high school... she would stay friends with Tobias, right?

[†Øߡ§™ Knight]

Tobias sat back down. Lyra was okay. "It has been a long time," he said, thinking about all of the years they had known each other. He drew small circles in the sand with his finger.

She'll always be my friend, right? So why do I feel like I'm going to lose her after this? Tobias asked himself. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Looking at Lyra, Tobias felt a deep, overwhelming sadness that made him get choked up. He wanted to pull her close and hug her and never let her go.

[Lyra ♫♪ Calnote]

"If we were at Destiny Island, I'd share a paopu fruit with you," Lyra turned to look at Tobias. She needed a topic changer and quick. This topic wsa too sad. She couldn't imagine a life with out Tobias. It seemed unreal, impossible. "I don't want this year to be over. I don't want to leave you," Lyra pushed the sand in anger, hoping broken glass or sharp shells did not cut her skin. Lyra took a deep breath. She couldn't cry. "Friends forever, right?"

[†Øߡ§™ Knight]

Tobias smiled and felt better as Lyra's melodious voice drifted over to him. Her words were sad, however, her voice made Tobias feel warm inside. "I'll always be with you," Tobias told Lyra as he moved close to her.

Tobias looked at Lyra. Her eyes shone bright from the fire. Her skin looked as soft and pure as fluffy clouds. Her hair looked exceptional and highlighted the beauty of her face. Her lips... Tobias caught himself and averted his eyes. She had said "Friends forever." That word played over and over in Tobias's mind. Friends.

[Lyra ♫♪ Calnote]

Tobias kept moving closer. Maybe Lyra should take a hint? The weather was cold but the fire kept them warm. Lyra snuggled against Tobias, her head on his shoulder. Her arm wrapped around Tobias' arm. "Summer went by fast," Lyra said. Despite the summers spent, half at home, half at Oceanside for high school, she was always with Tobias. And summer ended always with a fire and cooked hot dogs. Lyra kept quiet as tears fell down her cheeks.

[†Øߡ§™ Knight]

Tobias let out a gentle sigh as Lyra snuggled up next to him. He was happy to get to spend time with her. Closing his eyes, Tobias felt the cold night air at his back and the warmth of the fire against his face. Lyra's soft breathing was interrupted, causing Tobias to look down at her.

"Don't cry silly girl," he told Lyra, hoping he could cheer her up.

[Lyra ♫♪ Calnote]

Lyra looked up, wiping the tears away with a sleeve. "I'm not crying," she said, "when I cry I sob, I'm just sad, " she said and let out a small laugh to show she was okay. "I just hope the year is well, goes by slow, and nothing bad happens," Lyra said. She looked up at the night sky. Stars... and lots of them. It was beautiful. "We graduate this year too..." she seemed to forgot that part. "Gee... that's insane."

[†Øߡ§™ Knight]

Tobias watched Lyra. His Lyra. He moved his arms and pulled her into a hug. "We'll make it a year to remember, I promise," TK whispered. The fire crackled in the background as sparks flew into the sky.

Her scent is so intoxicating, Tobias thought as he held Lyra close. Despite the smoke and ocean air, Tobias could still smell Lyra's perfume or body spray or shampoo or whatever it was. Tobias didn't know what kind of smelly stuff Lyra used, but he knew he liked it. It made him feel warm and calm. He shut his eyes and blocked out the world, wanting to remember this moment as only Lyra and himself.

[Lyra ♫♪ Calnote]

Japanese Cherry Blossom, what a great smell. Probably the best gift she got for Christmas last year, a whole set of lotion, spray, and body wash of that scent. Thank goodness for her grandma's bath bags. Lyra snuggled again and sighed. Except this was not a sigh of sadness, but of happiness. It was this moment that was nice, the moments she would remember. "Thank you for spending the last day of summer with me," Lyra said as she closed her eyes, clinging on to Tobias tighter.

[†Øߡ§™ Knight]

Tobias opened his eyes slowly. The fire's brightness blinded him momentarily. He blinked rapidly to get rid of the effect. Should I? Tobias asked himself. His heart throbbed wildly in his chest. TK was sure that Lyra could feel his heart pounding.

Tobias's hands felt sweaty and the fire felt extremely hot. Had it gotten warmer? He tried to swallow but his mouth was already dry. Tobias bit his lip and gently spoke, "Lyra?"

[Lyra ♫♪ Calnote]

It was cold and Tobias was warm. Her light jacket couldn't keep her warm but Tobias' body could. He spoke to her, almost a stutter and she could barely hear him. Lyra pulled away, her arms still wrapped around his and she looked up at him, "yes, Tobias?" Lyra replied in the same, gentle tone he spoke to here in. She was nervous. Her palms were almost sweaty and her heart was beating fast. She was afraid what Tobias was going to ask. This did not sound good.

[†Øߡ§™ Knight]

Tobias hesitated as Lyra's sweet voice caused his hear to flutter. He closed his eyes slowly. Please let this not totally suck, he prayed quietly.

Tobias probably wouldn't have done anything if it were any other night, but the atmosphere and the moment compelled him to move forward. All logic was gone. Tobias tilted his head ever so slightly as he inched closer to Lyra. Memories of Lyra flew through Tobias's mind.

Birthday parties, spending Christmas together, dancing at school dances, laughing at movies, eating dinner, playing games, and the moment where Tobias held Lyra on the beach... It had happened only a few moments ago, but it felt as if years had passed since then.

Tobias's heart threatened to burst from his chest. It was beating for her. It wanted to be close to her heart. It wanted this to happen.

Nothing changed. Birds didn't sing, nor did inspirational music play. No one cheered, the world didn't stop and watch, and no one else saw it happen, but it did nonetheless. Tobias pulled away, averting his eyes. He could still feel the sweetest hint of her soft, delicate lips against his own. Tobias bit his lip and tasted lip gloss or chap-stick... something fruity. He exhaled and realized that he'd been holding his breath.

Tobias looked at Lyra. She looks like an angel, Tobias thought.

[Lyra ♫♪ Calnote]

Everything happened so fast but that moment lasted forever. Lyra's mind went blank before flooding with mixed emotions of ecstasy and confusion. That moment that lasted a second, maybe, not even, but nonetheless it was a moment Lyra thought of for all her life, ever since she met Tobias. The awkward thoughts of kissing Tobias, in denial about wanting it , saying that it was gross to kiss someone like your brother. But Tobias was never like that, no. It wasn't a dream come true, more like a thought come true, a wished reality.

Lyra stared back at Tobias, eyes wide, her heart pounding, if looking closely enough you could see her chest move. But Tobias wouldn't notice, their eyes were locked to each other. Lyra smacked her lips and licked them, her breathing heavy. It seemed like an eternity, staring at each other after Tobias' move. Their relationship, it flashed before her eyes. They were both older now, this was no time for thinking 'ew gross' or 'what the hell were you thinking' it was in that moment of being there with each other, enjoying the time that they still had, before who knows what would bring them apart... before life happened.

Still no words. She wondered what he was thinking, maybe she wondered what he was thinking. Lyra opened her mouth, trying to speak his name, but nothing came out. Just a small squeak, or a crack in her voice. Would this kiss change their whole relationship forever? Or would it just be a small stepping stone in their relationship? It was bound to happen.

A smile. Lyra smiled, her teeth showing and a small giggle. Not to make fun of him, but just that moment. It was enjoyable, she liked it. Her eyes sparkled, thanks to the fire's gleam against her teared eyes. Lyra couldn't stop smiling. She leaned forward, her lips almost touching his but kissed the side of his lips, more towards his cheek before moving back, only to smile at him again.

[†Øߡ§™ Knight]

Tobias couldn't move. Her eyes, Lyra's perfect, shining, beautiful eyes... They filled Tobias's world. Nothing else mattered as long as Lyra remained with him, focused on him. He was vaguely aware that the bonfire was still burning and that he was breathing hard, like a runner at the end of a marathon. Tobias's entire body felt warm, but it wasn't the fire. It was the kiss.

I kissed Lyra, Tobias thought. Those three words danced around his mind in an infinite loop.

Suddenly, Lyra smiled and then she kissed him. Tobias could have sworn that Lyra could control electricity because it felt like a burst of energy was sent through his body. His heart beat accelerated into overdrive.

No thoughts, pure emotion drove Tobias forward. He wrapped his left arm around Lyra's waist and laced his right-hand fingers through her own fingers. Pulling Lyra close again, Tobias closed his eyes. Tobias wasn't sure if he was even controlling his body anymore, but was sure that he desperately wanted another kiss.

His lips touched hers. For Tobias, his whole being was concentrated in that simple act.