Chapter 6

The wind howled, and snowflakes drifted down, dampening the corners of my eyes.

Time flowed, and the old house seemed to regain its former tranquility.

My mom sat in the living room knitting, smiling at Alex. “Alex, how about you marry Clara when she’s older?”

I took a bite of my apple, the sweet juice reaching my heart, and smiled, my eyes crinkling. “Yes, please! When I grow up, I want to be Alex’s bride!”

The boy’s face turned red. He covered my face with a tissue.

As if that could hide his shy gaze.

The clock ticked on. Ten years passed in a blink.

Under the moonlight, the boy had grown into a handsome young man.

I secretly climbed over the wall, knocked on his window, and pulled him to the locust tree.

On the century-old tree, our names were carved in childish handwriting.

The moonlight that night was beautiful, and the wind was gentle.

I mustered my courage and looked at him. “Alex, my big brother, will you be my boyfriend?”

He was silent for a long time, as if frozen by the night, not speaking for what felt like an eternity.

My eyes reddened, feeling wronged and sad. “You don’t want to?”

“If you don’t, then just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

He snapped back to reality, sighed, and pulled me into his arms.

“My silly Clara, it’s a boy’s job to confess first.”

I leaned into his embrace, listening to his wildly pounding heart, so happy I felt like I could fly.

Later, he cradled my face, kissing me devoutly. “Clara, I love you. Will you be my girlfriend?”

“In this lifetime, I only want you.”

But childhood promises were too light. The “lifetime” Alex spoke of only lasted a mere three years.