The Same Idea (open)

She grew up on the side of the road
Where the church bells ring
And strong love grows
She grew up good, she grew up slow
Like American honey

~

I walked silently through the forest. I held a wooden bow in my hand. Slung over my shoulder was a quiver full of arrows. I stalked a plump rabbit that was making it's way towards a patch of flowers. I narrowed my eyes and aimed the arrow at the rabbit as it bent down and nibbled a flower petal. I was about to shoot when a twig snapping alerted the rabbit and it bolted off. I cursed under my breath and lowered the bow, still keeping the arrow tight, ready to fire.

I heard quiet speaking in the distance. Slowly, I worked my way over to the source of the sound. Two people were talking. It seemed safe enough, since it looked like both of them were also hunting. I sighed and put the arrow away, walking closer until I was visible. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

She grew up on the side of the road
Where the church bells ring
And strong love grows
She grew up good, she grew up slow
Like American honey

~

I held a straight face and shook his hand quickly before dropping my arms to my sides. "I'm Claire," I said. Tom. Tom Masato. I knew him from somewhere, probably school or something.

"So it looks like you're a hunter too," Tom said. I nodded slowly. "Yeah," I said. "I hunt a little, but mostly only when we have no food." Not today, however. Today I just needed to get away from the world. Didn't seem to work today, though.

Tom mentioned something about going to a lake for a swim. I furrowed my brow. "I didn't know there was a lake in here," I said. He asked if I'd like to come along. I nodded, smiling for the first time today.

She grew up on the side of the road
Where the church bells ring
And strong love grows
She grew up good, she grew up slow
Like American honey

~

I smiled and walked along the path. The forest was gorgeous today. Unusual for January, the sun was shining brightly through the trees. Tom asked if I'd met him before. I shrugged. "Maybe at school or the reaping or something." Soon we stopped for a minute to rest.

I sat down on a rock and put down my bow and arrows, leaning back against a tree trunk. "Want one?" I looked up. Tom held out an apple to me. I smiled and took it. "Thanks," I murmured, taking a small bite.

She grew up on the side of the road
Where the church bells ring
And strong love grows
She grew up good, she grew up slow
Like American honey

~

I followed through the woods. Soon we were at the lake. It was gorgeous. I slipped off my shoes and sat at the edge of the water. It was pretty cold, considering it was winter.

She grew up on the side of the road
Where the church bells ring
And strong love grows
She grew up good, she grew up slow
Like American honey

~

I stared down at our hands, then looked up at Tom. Slowly, the corners of my mouth lifted up to form a smile. I looked out at the forest and leaned back, propping myself up on my elbows. I let out a quiet, happy sigh. Life was good.

We sat there for a good fifteen minutes before I stood slowly and put my shoes back on. "I'd better get going," I said, with a hint of reluctance. I wanted to stay here. But by now, Mom would probably be wondering where I'd gone, and I still had to snatch a rabbit or something. So I'd have to go and grab something and head home. I frowned slightly and grabbed my bow and arrows, then stood there for a moment.