"Are you sure you're all right? I don't have to go if you need me." Aetran's dark brown eyes were creased in concern. Not something Daezin wanted for him for his birthday.
"Of course I am fine. It must have been the sun or something. It's been a few days, and I have been wonderful. " Daezin gestured to the figure waiting at the head of the path out of their little clearing. "Besides, Aetran is waiting for you. You should go. It's your birthday. Celebrate."
Aetran was her brother's best friend. He had a few years on Droman, a wife, and a cute baby girl. He appeared serious every time Daezin saw him, and he avoided her company and refused to make eye contact with her even though he lurked in Droman's company frequently over the years. He certainly wasn't a friend to Daezin, but Droman loved him.
Droman glanced over at his lurking friend who, in Daezin's opinion, appeared extra lurky today, and turned back to Daezin with a crinkle between his dark eyebrows.
Daezin huffed. "Yes. I am sure." She shoved his shoulders to turn him around. "Go. Have fun. And be ready to celebrate with us tonight. It isn't every day that my big brother reaches his eighteenth year."
"Okay, okay. I'm going. No need to get violent." He smirked and tugged her heavy braid. "Be good. I'll see you later."
With one last wave, Droman disappeared down the path with Aetran. As he turned at the bend and went out of sight, a shadow fell across the path and a shiver crawled up Daezin's arms and down her back. She twisted the leather band on her wrist a couple of times before shrugging and getting to work finishing Aetran's birthday present.
This would be a birthday he'd never forget.
I'm loving these flashback scenes. Can't wait to see where they go!
Thank you so much! I'm giving it a shot as I really like how they play with time in the tv shows, Lost and Once Upon a Time. I'm not sure if they will work as well in a written medium but if I don't try, how will I know?