Chapter Text
Five children sat under an old sheet, hung between two trees as if it were a real tent. A lantern lit in the center made their shadows dance on each other's faces and the trees, as if the fire were real.
It was summer, they were alone, and for that night the world seemed to revolve only around them.
"If one of them leaves... will the others follow?" asked one of them, Golden Cheese, looking at the others with shining eyes.
"Where to?" murmured another, White Lily, lying on her back in the grass.
"Anywhere. If you fall. If you're scared," Golden replied.
"Of course," another, Hollyberry, said with conviction, lifting her chin as if swearing an oath.
Then all eyes turned to Sweet Cocoa.
The girl said nothing at first. She wiggled her fingers on her knees. She stared at the flashlight as if wondering if the warmth it gave off was real.
She wasn't shy, but there was something about that moment—about that name, about those looks—that made her feel… unseen. Like a garment that's tight but you're still forced to wear.
"And what do you say, Cocoa?" asked the only boy, Pure Vanilla.
She looked up and nodded gently. "That we should never be apart. Even if we change. Even if we grow up."
"Even if we change?" Hollyberry repeated, curious.
Cocoa shrugged. "Yes. Even if we change."
Pure Vanilla smiled. He didn't say anything else. He just walked over and took her hand.
"It's a promise, then."
They all held hands.
Five children, one lantern, and a promise none of them fully understood, but they made it anyway.
For years, it was like that. Until they couldn't see the fire anymore.