Pinky Promises by the Koi Pond

College isn’t as simple as people make it sound, you don’t just pack up your stuff, say “Later” and walk out of your parent’s house. It’s much, much more difficult, especially if it means going to college, separates you from the one you love by thousands of miles.

I started to notice you distanced yourself from me about a week ago, you quit texting and talking to me. It all happened so fast and painfully so you can imagine the anger I felt when I showed up at your window for answers.

I wanted to yell and cuss but the unfamiliar look of sadness on your face caused me to shut my mouth quickly as I gently helped you down the tree leading to your bedroom window.

“What’s going on?” I asked, voice soft. Your eyes were bloodshot as if you had been crying and the dark circles under your eyes could hold one of those gross hairless chihuahuas the ladies carried around.

“It’s not going to work and you know it, we won’t work far away,” you said quickly as you wrapped your arms around yourself for comfort. I knew just as well as you that we would both be going to college on the opposite end of the world, but I didn’t understand why we couldn’t work? We could call, and text, and when holidays come around we can visit each other. It doesn’t seem so bad to me...

Knowing you, I was aware of this not being the only reason, something bigger was at play. It could be your parents, with us being both guys, they aren't the most supportive people in the world. So with that being said I took your hand in mine and said, “Why don’t we go somewhere only we know?”

Smiling slightly you nodded and grasped my hand tighter and allowed me to pull you along to my car for a quick drive to the park we used to hang out in. The night was cold and the bugs were loud, the only light source was the full moon that seemed to watch us like a breathtaking movie. We climbed over the mini-wall that kept the little kids from straying and we passed the swing set I got stuck in that one time.

We walked by the balancing beams and jungle gym until we reached the pond where the koi fish could be found. It was lite blue with LED lights and the moon, and the fish seemed to move slower as if they were waiting for morning boredly.

Sitting down on the bench I turned and smiled before asking you, “Are you afraid?”

I knew I was blunt when your eyes widened and you stared for what seemed like hours until I said something. Lifting my hand up to meet your face I said again slowly, “Are you afraid? Cause I am, I am terrified because I don’t want to lose you... I don’t want to lose the most important person in my life.”

Saying the words made your face scrunch up and your eyes well with tears until they fell, being swept away with my thumb. I pulled you closer and settled to have your head on my shoulder and my arm over the bench and your back.

“Im so afraid.” You said after a minute and I hummed to let you know it was safe to continue.

“What if my parents make us part? What if you find someone better while you're gone? What if we forget each other or end up not knowing who the other is anymore?”

“You focus on the “what-ifs” too much. We are both eighteen, love, your parents are not going to split us up and if they try, well then I'll give them a piece of my mind later. And I'm not gonna “find someone better”, did you not hear what I said earlier? You truly are the most important person to me so don’t forget it. And we aren’t gonna forget each other because I will be calling you every. Single. Night. Plus we aren’t gonna be separated forever, I will visit you and I hope you’ll visit me,”

“I will”

“So don’t worry okay? We will be okay as long as we trust each other and communicate.” I finished and turned back to watch the koi fish swim around and avoid each other. I particular bright white fish caught my eye and I wondered if it knew it was so beautiful. I turned back to you when you held your shaky hand in front of me.

“Promise?” you asked.

“I pinky promise,” I said back and hooked my pinky to yours, the koi fish seemed happier now.