Under The Canopy

• Amy Amoroso, Grade 10
• Short Story
• 2012

My feet pounded against the damp dirt of the forest floor, taking me further and further away from where I was supposed to be. Was I doing the right thing? I didn’t know. All I knew was that there was no turning back now. I’d abandoned my little white shoes a while back, and as I pushed past the hanging leaves and scratchy branches of the swaying trees, I hastily shimmied out of my dress cardigan and threw it to the ground as I continued running. My once-neat braid had come loose; long, brown tendrils of hair now obscured my vision and I brushed them away. The loud booming of my heart filled my ears, reminding me once again that this was really happening. A hidden root in the ground suddenly seized my foot and I was yanked down, forced to unwillingly hug the earth as the air was knocked out of me. I slowly dragged myself up onto all fours, taking the time to catch my breath. When I stood, I noticed a deep rip down the side of my dirt stained white dress starting from my mid-thigh to the ground. At least it would make running easier. Soil mingled with my sweat and I gave myself a quick brush off before I bolted through the trees once more.
All that mattered was him. I had to see him. Everything was on the line for these next few moments. Would he be there like he promised me? Even though I said I couldn’t come? He’d told me everything would be okay. The thing was, how could I be sure? Slowly, my whole life was unravelling and being turned on its head. My future was now uncertain. But I would rather that than having a mapped out life to stumble through. I passed the giant old log he’d described and felt myself start to recognise the invisible path I was running. I was close. New determination coursed through my veins like a wild phoenix spreading its fire. Winds blew up dirt and leaves onto my imprinted footsteps behind. I knew that they would come looking for me; to find me.
I couldn’t let that happen.
A flash of colour to the left of me made my heart skip a beat. I slowed to a steady walk, reminding myself to be cautious. It could be anyone. I emerged from behind the tree that was keeping us apart, unintentionally stepping on a dry stick that crackled and snapped beneath my bare foot. His head snapped around in my direction, ready for anything, before his expression registered me and he sent me a look full of such relief, reassurance and love that it warmed me to the core. He took a few steps towards me before I ran the rest of the way, where we caught each other in our arms. Our foreheads touched and my arms made their way up and around his neck. Hazel-flecked emerald eyes bored into mine.
"You came."