A Full-Circle Life

It's a late night, with that cool fall breeze, the fire dimly lit, and my belly is full of s'mores. I'm sixteen and right now I am lying on the freshly wet grass from the rain earlier, with dirty jeans, a basic tee, some old sneakers and a plaid jacket on, looking up at the dozen or so stars. They seem so close as to where I can touch but I know they are million miles away. Even when they're not so bright, the beauty of them always have me in awe. Thoughts just been racing in my mind and I had to come here to calm down. This was my spot before him but this is where I also met him. The year was 2016 and we were 12. I was with my family and he was with his. Growing up with 3 brothers and the only girl, I was a tomboy and I didn't mind getting dirty and playing sports. So, there we were playing football outside the camper when I threw the ball a little too far and it hit him. His camper was some distance away but for some reason, I lost control of my grip and it flew his way. Now may I mind you; I never had done that before so you could only imagine how embarrassed I felt. My family was shocked, and we just stood there until my brothers screamed, "Well go get the ball!" I hesitated still because I saw the look he had, and it was not a good one. So, there I go slowly jogging towards him and when I reached him, I stuttered, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I don’t know what happened I..." He just looked at me up and down and then smirk. "I can see you know how to throw", with a sarcastic tone. I gave him a puzzled look. "Yeah, so? I said I was sorry." He just laughs. "If you thought I was cute, you didn’t have to throw a ball at me", he playfully teases. I could not believe what I just heard. I almost choked on my own saliva. "What?! I didn't know you existed until this minute ago! And for the record, I don't think you're cute, I just want my ball back!" He laughs even more. Now I'm starting to get annoyed. "I'm just messing with you. Here" as he gives me the ball back. I rolled my eyes with a scoff as I took the ball. I shake my head as I turned around and start to leave but he calls out for me. "Hey! What's your name?" I stopped in my tracks, waited a second and then yells back, "It's MK!" I start walking back to my camper, but I can feel the stare and the grin he had on me. That was the beginning of our friendship. Two years later and it was the start of freshman year. New school, new beginnings, and our friendship turned into a relationship with him. In the beginning, our foundation was strong. We were the power and popular couple that everyone secretly wanted. Yet, when junior year hit, things started to change. It felt all at once but there were signs leading up to it and I just ignored it because I loved him. I questioned so many times if he really loved me or if I really loved him but no matter what we tried; we couldn't just get back to the love we had. Eventually, we knew it was time to separate and go our different ways. We were each other's first love, and we wanted to be each other's last, but we had so much to learn and grow in, that even though the pain was deep, we need it was for the best. That was today. We had our final goodbyes and best wishes but as tears rolling down my face, I screamed out loud because the pain was just too much to bear. My parents told me there will be days like this, but you just never could be prepared until you went through it. Here I am, swallowing in my first heartbreak. I lay like this for I do not know how long. I lost track of time until my phone rings and I looked at the message. It was from my parents. They are concerned and was checking up on me. I let out a sigh and struggled to have enough strength to get up and head to my truck. I gazed around and up at the stars one last time, got in my truck, and drove off. The year is 2028. I graduated a few months ago and is now working an amazing well-off job. It's a late night, with that cool fall breeze, the fire dimly lit, and my belly is full of s'mores. However, I am not wearing those same dirty jeans, old sneakers, a basic tee, and a plaid jacket. I am wearing a loose but flow dress that fits nicely around me and a certain number of pounds I gain and some nice sandals to match. A blanket is under me this time and I am not alone. I stare dreamily at the man who I knew as a little boy. I watched him as he is gazing at the night sky full of stars and a bright full moon. He then looked at me and smiled. “There’s so much history with this place and with you. I wouldn’t have it any way.” He takes a deep sigh and says, “You know around us is beautiful. The sky is beautiful but there is nothing more beautiful then you…” He caresses my face and messes with my hair, then puts his hand on my belly all the while gazing into my eyes. “…And the little one”. I could not help but let out a happily giggle laugh. “Who would have thought we’ll end up back here after 20+ years, I replied. We both laughed. “I know” as he still laughs. “I love you”. “I love you too” as we gave each other a quick kiss. We both let out one of those “life is perfect” sighs and directed our eyes toward the beautiful bright full moon and the beautiful bright stars.