New beginnings

Summer, eight years ago, in Loch Cliff.

As Merette and the boy wade into the cool, refreshing waters of the lake, her laughter fills the air, mingling with the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. The sun's warm rays kiss her skin, and she feels a sense of liberation wash over her.

In this moment, all that exists is the exhilarating sensation of being alive and free, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the joy of companionship.

She splashes him with a hearty laugh stumbling out of her mouth, and the boy returns her playful splashes, his laughter contagious, Merette can't help but grin from ear to ear. There's something special about the way they connect, despite not even knowing his name, she feels drawn to him. It's as if the lake itself has brought them together, forging a bond that transcends words.

They engage in a friendly water fight, their movements fluid and carefree. Merette revels in the sensation of the cool water against her skin, the sunlight dancing on the surface, and the laughter bubbling up from deep within her soul. For a brief moment, she forgets about everything else. All that matters is the here and now, the pure bliss of being immersed in the moment with this mysterious boy by her side.

As they float on their backs, gazing up at the vast expanse of the sky above, Merette can't help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over her. Gratitude for this beautiful day, for this unexpected friendship, and for the simple joy of splashing in the lake with someone who feels like a kindred spirit. She doesn't even know why he asked her if she wanted to go to the lake. But she's enjoying these moments with him so very much.

They swim in the water for a long time until the sun's down on the horizon before they know it.

Merette and the boy sit on the grassy shore, watching the colors of the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. The tranquil scene is interrupted by the rumble of Merette's stomach, reminding them both of the passage of time.

"I guess we lost track of time," Merette says with a sheepish grin, patting her stomach. "I'm getting hungry." It's almost dinner time. Her Papa told her to come home before seven. And she's sure there's only so much time left for them before the clock ticks to seven.

The boy nods in agreement, a smile playing on his lips. "Me too. We should head back soon."

Reluctantly, they stand up, brushing off the grass from their clothes as they prepare to leave the lake behind. As they walk back along the familiar path, Merette finds herself stealing glances at the boy beside her, wondering what his name is and where he comes from. She completely forgot to ask his name.

God, this is embarrassing.

"So, uh, what's your name?" Merette finally asks, breaking the silence between them. The sky is getting darker.

The boy looks at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "You don't know my name?" He cocks an eyebrow at her, making the blood in Merette's body betray her by surging up to her cheeks in a swoosh. "It's Kaiser. Kaiser Alaric."

Kaiser.

Merette's heart thumps against her ribcage, her tongue itching to roll out that perfect name. "Nice to meet you, Kaiser," Merette replies with a smile creeping up on her face. "I'm Merette Desmond, but everyone calls me May."

"Is that an invitation for me to call you that too?" He asks playfully, returning her smile as they continue walking side by side.

"Maybe." She says with a laugh, a cold shiver spreading over her skin at the breeze tackling them as they keep walking.

They walk through the narrow pebble lane, dodging the overgrown branches of trees sticking out to the path. As they approach Merette's house, she feels a pang of disappointment knowing that their time together is coming to an end. She turns to Kaiser with a hopeful expression.

"Hey, would you like to come over for dinner sometime? My Nana makes the best spaghetti." She asks with wide brilliant blue eyes, hope sparkling inside her orbs.

Kaiser's eyes light up at the invitation, and he nods eagerly. "I'd love to! Thanks, May."

"That's great!" She exclaims, standing in the breeze at the small hill down from her house. If she faces away from his stupidly gorgeous face which she can't keep her eyes away from, she would be able to see her backyard.

Kaiser nods, a genuine smile grazing his pretty pink lips, black locks of hair falling on his stunning green eyes at the slow breeze. They look into each other's eyes for a moment. Time seems to stand still.

Merette's throat bobbs in a gulp as she cuts her gaze away, looking at the darkening sky over his shoulders instead.

"Today was fun." Merette blurts out, still refusing to meet his gaze.

"It indeed was. I'm going to the lake for the first time since I moved here. I didn't even know there was a lake this close." He is saying, his voice softened and carried by a gentle breeze.

Merette drags her eyes to him, "Really? Where do you live?" She asks.

"Down the street, over the edge of the cliff."

"That's amazing! I hope you're liking it here. Loch Cliff is hard to not like." Merette says, smiling dreamily.

"It is." Kaiser runs a hand through his midnight black hair which is now a mess atop his head from the wind and him constantly running his hand through it.

Merette realizes that Kaiser recently moved to the Cliff with his family and is still adjusting to the new surroundings. She makes a mental note to ask more about him to her Nana.

"I wish to see you again." The words are out of Merette's mouth in the open air before the thought could actually sink into her brain, startling her.

Kaiser looks equally surprised as he looks her in the eyes, then he's saying with a laugh, "Of course. We're gonna see each other more times than you would like now that you have a whole summer in Loch Cliff."

A laugh stumbles out of Merette's mouth, eyes crinkling at the sides as he addresses him with a playful gaze. "Mmh mhh, go now."

As Merette watches Kaiser walk away, she can't help but feel grateful for the unexpected friendship that blossomed from a simple invitation to the lake. She knows that this is just the beginning of many more adventures to come with her new friend by her side.