The sun was a fiery ball of orange sinking in the horizon. Its glow had tinted the surroundings and dyed the line of trees red.
Two kids were chasing each other across the field. Their delightful laughter filled the air. From a distance, they seem to be floating, flying even as they propel their bodies forward, arms outstreched at either side, and cherub faces brushed against the cool afternoon breeze.
Midway through all the running, the little girl paused and twirled in place. Her laughter heightened as she spun faster. Then, she stopped. Her head hurt.
Boisterous laughter erupted somewhere. She turned to see her companion: a willowly boy with sand yellow hair. He walked purposefully towards her.
The grass was a carpet of pink against his white soles, she noticed. Suddenly, her heart beat was unusually faster beneath her chest and then as soon as it started, it came back to normal.
A few meters away, he flashed his lopsided smile. No voice escaped from her open mouth. The moment ended when his hands reached out to ruffle her hair.
"Yiiiiiiiiiii!!"
"Catch me if you can, Annie!" The little boy yelled as he ran off. She pouted as she tried to smoothen her tresses back in place. Her eyes darted at the running figure and then she blinked and caught a tinge of yellow below.
A yellow flower stood out from the reddish foliage. She crouched and was apt to pick it. Her fingers lightly trailed along its soft petals. Abruptly, she stood and chased the running boy.
Her feet were killing her when she managed to run alongside him. Legs caving in, she stopped, panting and catching her breath. A few seconds later, he stopped and was beside her.
" Something wrong, An?" he asked as blue eyes glistened with concern. As soon as she managed to steady her breathing, she looked up and gazed at the most beautiful shade of blue she's ever seen.
" Are you okay?" He touched her shoulder. Wordlessly, she raised the flower she was holding all this time to his face.
"Here. You can have this."
He was mesmerized with the flower he held. Its glossy petals were pretty. This was the first time he had seen such a flower.
" Thanks." He smiled and securely tucked it in his breast pocket.
Feeling playful, the girl pushed the boy away and began running again.
" Hurry up, Slowpoke!" She shouted whilst running. Moments later, she could hear his footsteps getting louder, closer. She sped up and she was seeing more of the ground than the horizon. She realized too late that she had tripped somewhere and was falling. Her tiny body collided with the earth in a thud. Pain immediately registered itself as she began to tear up.
He noticed that she has scratched both of her knees. Instinctively, he knelt down and hugged her tight.
Instantly, her tears subsided. The hairs on her skin stood on end as she feels his warmth pressed on her. She felt dizzy and she belted out her loudest wail.
"Did I do something wrong? Mom always hugs me when I cry. I'm sorry." He spoke as he placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
After her cries subsided...
"Hold on tight, okay?" He huffed as he piggybacked her. Annie slightly winced as she clung to him.
" I'm taking you home."