Chapter Text
The sun shone brightly in the sky, casting a warm glaze over everything in its path. The wind rustled in the trees, tickling the faces of the children lying on the trampoline. The sounds of birds chirping was like a theme song for this picture-like summer afternoon. A young girl gripped the hand of the older boy. Her bright green eyes shone, and she smiled over at him as she licked the bright red Popsicle he had bought for her. He grinned at her, his heart swelled because of her happiness. The silence taking over, the wind blowing around them, and the sun shining made for the perfect summer day.
“Dean?” She chirped, her face full of curiosity.
“Yes, Nat?” His eyes closed, but still paying attention to her. He felt the wind ruffle his dirty blond hair.
She looked over at him and squeezed his hand with her tiny one, “Will we be best friends forever?”
He rolled to his side and grinned at her. This little girl had tagged along beside him and his younger brother for, what seemed to be, forever. He couldn’t imagine not having her in his life. They were young, only 8 and 13, but he still knew that she was going to hold a special place in his heart for his whole life. He never wanted to live apart from her. “Well I guess. Ya know, if I can’t get rid of ya.” He winked at her as she started to giggle. Her laugh was like music to his ears.
Natalie pushed his shoulder playfully, “I’m serious, Dean. What’s going to happen if your dad makes you move again?”
He rolled to his back again and looked up at the clouds, his brooding forehead scrunched. Dean hated talking about this stuff and he hated thinking about the reason his dad kept moving them around from place to place. “Why’d you have to bring this up? It’s such a perfect day. Let’s just lay here for a little while, Nat.” He avoided her question, but then quietly added, “Besides, you know you’ll always be my best friend.”
He could hear Sammy yelling in the distance for the two of them and before Natalie could say anything else; he rolled over and started tickling her. She gasped and giggled, finally managing to pull away from him, trying to catch her breath. “Dean, that was not funny! I’ll get you for that!” She gasped out, a small smile dancing along her lips. She launched her tiny body at him, but he had jumped off the trampoline.
“Catch me if you can, squirt.” He winked at her again and took off at a full sprint towards Sam. Her eyes gleamed with excitement and she chased after him, with a wide grin on her face. Natalie was shorter than both of the boys but she was still the fastest runner in the neighborhood. Her long, tan legs carried her across the lawns at wild speeds and she finally caught up with the boys. They spent the rest of the afternoon chasing each other around in an extended game of tag. Their laughter echoed through the air and everyone around felt the wash of comfort. It was the perfect day for three happy kids to not have a care in the entire world.
Finally, when the sun was sinking below the horizon, her Aunt popped her head outside and called for her to come in for supper. Natalie sighed and waved goodbye to Sam, starting to walk home. Dean slipped his hand in hers and squeezed. The kids came to a stop at the streetlight by her driveway and she looked down at her scuffed shoes. Dean looked at Natalie. He cataloged her chipmunk cheeks and her unkempt hair, her emerald green eyes looking at him with uncertainty. Dean was unsure how to express how much he cared for this little girl.
Finally, Dean hugged her tight and said, “Nothing will ever stop us from being in each other’s lives, Nat. Even if we move, I won’t forget you and you won’t forget me, I promise. We’re best friends until the end of time.” He quickly pecked her flushed cheek and then tousled her golden brown hair, before jogging towards Sam and his own home.
Natalie smiled at the boys backs and walked into the house slowly. Dean was one person in her young life that she knew she could count on. He had been there when she came to live with her Aunt and he was there every day after. When her little life had been uprooted and she felt like everything was falling apart. Anytime she needed a shoulder to lean on or cry on, he was there to cheer her up. He was a constant in her life when everyone else was failing her, and she wasn’t sure what her, so far, short life would look like without him.