We Could Be Pirates

Lara jumped onto her bicycle.

The chores had taken far too long, and she couldn’t wait to leave this town behind. She was on her way to see her friend, a few towns over. They had met at a party that had backfired spectacularly—her parents had learned about it from the town gossip, hence the endless chores. Everything felt like everyone’s business, and she hated it.

She parked her bike next to the fence and walked toward the river. She wished her town had a lake or a sea.

“What are you looking at?” a voice called from behind.

It was Lillian. Her heart skipped. This was why she had wanted to see her friend.

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

Lillian laughed. “You never tell me anything.”

Lara wanted to say that they had just met, that she didn’t know her well enough yet, that she was scared, that she longed for that river or a lake, or a sea. Instead, she turned back to the water, and Lillian came to stand beside her. Her heart picked up pace again.

She looked at Lillian’s beautiful curls catching the light.

Suddenly, the river blurred. They weren’t on the shore anymore. Lillian had an eyecap, and the sea stretched wide behind her. The wind tossed her hair, and they were on a wooden boat with sails. Lara watched Lillian climb and tighten ropes like a natural, and she was mesmerized just by her movements.

“Lara?”

Reality returned. Lillian was beside her, not the sea. Her heart leapt. Hopefully, she looked okay.

“Is everything okay?”

Lara searched her brown eyes, but they gave nothing away. She didn’t know if she was okay.

Lillian began turning back toward the water.

Impulsively, Lara grabbed her arm, making her turn.

Staring into her eyes, she said, “I think you should come live with me… and we can be pirates.”