Two friends story

              Two friends story 

An ancient wooden bridge stood at the border of Willowbrook, a sleepy village where time seemed to flow rather than speed.  For Emma and Lucas, it was everything, even if it wasn't the type of spot you'd see in a holiday brochure.  It was the beginning and the end of their friendship.  Even for those she didn't know well, Emma had the ability to remember birthdays.  She had a pen and sketchbook with her at all times, enjoyed painting, and had a laugh that made others smile.  Lucas, however, was more reserved.  In class, he rarely spoke, but when he did, everyone paid attention.  He loved stories and had a knack for solving puzzles hardly mentioned.  When Emma saw Lucas attempting to save a turtle that had strayed onto the road in fifth grade, they became friends.  Together, they moved the turtle to the creek beneath the bridge after she let go of her bag and assisted him in scooping it into her lunchbox.  After that day, they couldn't be separated.  They would meet at the bridge every day after school.  Lucas would read loudly from books or make up stories about astronauts and dragons, while Emma would draw the willow trees.  Despite the differences in their worlds—Emma's was vibrant and noisy, while Lucas's was more subdued and cautious—they managed to fit together like a puzzle with mismatched pieces.  As the years went by, high school presented additional difficulties.

Friendships changed.  The world grew.  Lucas spent his evenings writing apps and building robots, while Emma joined the acting squad and art club.  However, they always met at the bridge on Fridays.  Until they didn't.  Missed texts were the first cause.  For hours or even days, Emma would send a message and receive no response.  Lucas said he was too busy, overburdened, and exhausted to continue visiting the bridge.  Emma made a sincere effort to comprehend, but the gap between them widened more than the creek had ever done.  With a storm gathering overhead and her sketchpad in hand, Emma stood by herself by the bridge one Friday.  After waiting for about an hour, she eventually took out her phone and gave him a call.

When he responded, she continued, "You said you'd come."  "I understand," Lucas said.  "I simply... forgot."  "You overlooked it?"  Trying not to let the hurt show in her voice, she repeated.  "I'm about to take finals.  There's a big event for my robotics team.  Simply put, I've been—busy.  Emma gazed at the boards underfoot.  "You're constantly occupied."  A protracted hush ensued.  He finally said, "I didn't mean to drift."  "I simply—things are evolving."  We are evolving.  Emma nibbled on her lip.  "Perhaps.  However, I assumed we would always find time.  The storm came that night.  The bridge and everything on it were soaked by the torrential rain that fell over Willowbrook.  Emma's heart was heavier than ever as she walked out, her sketchpad wet.  It was two months before they spoke again.

Lucas was the first to return.  The air was warm and pleasant with the aroma of wildflowers in the late spring.  This time, he discovered Emma seated beneath the bridge with her sketchpad closed next to her.  Without introducing himself, he declared, "I've been a terrible friend."  Astonished, Emma looked up but said nothing.  He went on, "I believed that in order to move forward, I had to let go of everything."  However, I came to a realization.  Not all bridges are intended to be burnt.  They are intended to be traversed repeatedly.  After glancing at him for a while, Emma stepped aside to give him a seat.  She said, "I missed this."  He remarked, "I missed you."  They listened to the babble of the creek below while they sat in silence for a while.

Lucas took a little, painted and carved wooden turtle out of his suitcase.  He set it next to her.  He answered, "It's for the turtle."  "The one that we saved."  Emma grabbed it up and ran her fingertips around the borders.  "You created this?"  Lucas gave a nod.  "I wanted you to remember us by something."  We're not ending, but just in case we stray again.  Emma's eyes were wet as she grinned.  "We'll float.  That is the nature of existence.  However, we might always find a way back.  Lucas gave her a look.  "As the bridge does."  "As the bridge does."  They chatted, laughed, and filled the void with anecdotes and drawings till dusk.  The previously-vast distance between them felt manageable once more.

They preserved the bridge when they both left Willowbrook years later, Lucas to pursue engineering studies and Emma to attend art school.  Late-night phone calls, letters, and sporadic visits.  The foundation remained constant even if life continued to tug them in separate directions.  Many years later, they came back together, older, wiser, and still friends.  Even though it was ancient, the bridge remained sturdy.  similar to them.