Sunset-Short Story

Hello everyone! I have a super special short story (I love that alliteration XD) from a different project that I haven’t mentioned on this website yet. 

What is that project? Well, my good friend Lori. S and I are writing a story together that we’ve been planning for about a year now. It’s a story about family, hope, and healing that deals with some of the difficult topics of this world. This story features the two main characters, Josh and Hope. If you’d like to hear more about the story (like updates, writing pieces from the project, and other stuff) make sure to subscribe to my email list and Lori’s email list also make sure to check out Lori’s website. 

***

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d smiled this wide. 

My truck is lurching every which way and the engine roars loudly. The dirt road the tires roll over is full of potholes that seem to pop up every few minutes. The dying light is shining right in my eyes. But I’m still smiling. 

Because in the seat next to mine is a girl with straight black hair and shimmering brown eyes. Her grin doesn’t falter even when she’s shaken side to side with the rocking of the truck. 

She sticks her head in the tunnel of wind pouring through the half-open window, her hair flying around her face as though it had a life of its own. The warm glow on her face was as beautiful as the sunset. 

The golden fields stretch out around us in all directions, surrounded by the sharp mountains towering above us. The noise of evening birds singing softly in the trees overpowers the loud noise of the engine enough to fill the truck. Bugs chirp down in the field and a bullfrog croaks.

I slow the truck and turn it up onto another small dirt road. I know these roads like the back of my hand, but seeing the wonder on her face makes it all the more majestic. 

The truck hits a bump in the road and tips us to the side. She presses her hand against the side of the door, laughing. 

My smile grows wider. The truck straightens out, taking us out into the forest. The tall trees became thicker as we ride on and new noises filled the air. The wind rustles through the leaves. A squirrel scurries in a tree. A stick breaks somewhere off in the forest. 

She closes her eyes and leans into the wind, beaming. The sun filters through the leaves, cascading across her face. 

 My cheeks flush and I press on the gas. The truck moves faster, twisting around the trees. The sunlight dims with every passing minute. 

The trees become fewer and farther between and I can see the rocky edges of the mountains ahead. I grip onto the steering wheel tightly. 

The sunlight slips through the tree trunks ahead, shining in my eyes. I blink it away and turn the wheel, moving the truck onto the side of the road. The last of the trees fade into the background as the cliff comes into view. 

The sun shines brightly in my eyes. I push the brake and the truck slows to a stop. 

Her hair falls back into her face in a half-tangled mess. She laughs and pushes it back onto her back. 

I look over at her and meet her gaze. She stares into my eyes for a few moments, causing an unfamiliar feeling to rise up inside my chest. I swallow then turn away, shoving open my door. 

She follows and meets me at the back of my truck. I open the tailgate, holding my hand out for her. 

She laughs again before taking it and stepping up onto the bed of the truck. I slide up onto the tailgate to sit beside her. 

In front of us, the edge of the rocky cliff drops off suddenly to reveal the tall, gray mountains scraping the undersides of the few clouds floating in the dull blue sky. 

Her eyes glow with the last strands of the setting sun and she moves closer to me. 

My heart beats faster as I brush my hair out of my eyes then stare up at the darkening sky above. The first stars push through the sky, glimmering above us. The sharp mountains fade in the darkening sky, fading into the background. Fireflies flicker in the bushes around us like stars, but so much closer. 

I twist the fabric of my shirt between my fingertips, staring out at the view.

She pulls a strand of hair behind her ear then pulls her knees up to her chest, her brown eyes sparkling in awe. 

“It’s…it’s beautiful up here,” She says in almost a whisper. “I…don’t even have words to describe it.” 

I press my lips together and stare out at the night sky. “I know.” 

“Thank you for showing me, Josh.” She looks over at me. 

My heart beats faster, but a smile spreads over my face. “You’re welcome, Hope.” 

***

Until next time, 

Aliya Gerow