A Summer of Fireflies

Chapter Four: Until Next Summer

Mia stared out the window of June’s room, watching the sunlight dance across the trees. The air felt warmer today, like the last days of summer always did—sweet but a little heavy, as if the sky was saying goodbye too. She hugged her knees to her chest, lost in thought. She hated this feeling.

It wasn’t like the usual goodbye when June would go to her grandmother’s house for a week or when Mia’s family took a weekend trip. No, this one was different. This time, Aaron was leaving. Aaron,who had always been there with his laughter and his jokes. Aaron, with the messy hair and the way he always seemed to know how to fix things—broken toys, torn shoelaces, even bad moods.He was special in a way that made Mia’s heart flutter every time she saw him.

But Mia couldn’t explain it. How could she? How could she tell June or anyone else that when Aaron smiled at her, something inside her chest felt warm? It was a feeling Mia couldn’t put into words because she didn’t know what it was. It made her nervous and excited all at once, like the way you feel before jumping into a deep pool, unsure but wanting to dive in anyway.

But now, it was almost time to say goodbye.

"Are you okay, Mia?" June’s voice broke through her thoughts, soft and full of concern. She was sitting cross-legged on the bed, fiddling with the edges of her favorite book, the one with the big, colorful pictures. She always seemed to know when Mia was lost in her own little world.

Mia nodded quickly, though she didn’t feel okay at all. “Yeah, just thinking.”

“About Aaron?” June asked, her tone too casual, almost like she already knew.

Mia’s heart skipped a beat. She felt her face grow warm, and she quickly looked down at her hands. “No… Just… the summer’s almost over, that’s all.”

A few moments passed before June spoke again, her voice lighter this time. “You know… Aaron’s been saying he’ll be back next summer. You know that, right?”

Mia nodded, but the lump in her throat made it hard to swallow. “I know,” she murmured. But the thought of waiting an entire year made her stomach ache in a way she couldn’t explain.

Just then, the sound of footsteps in the hallway made Mia’s heart jump. Aaron. He was outside, getting ready to leave. It was happening too fast. The summer, their laughter, the games they played in the backyard, the way he helped them build forts in the trees—it was all ending, and she wasn’t ready for it.

Mia stood up abruptly, her thoughts scattered. She didn’t want to say goodbye. She couldn’t. She couldn’t even say it out loud. So instead, she grabbed the small, red flower from June’s vase and ran out the door. She didn’t know why she was doing it. She just did.

When Mia stepped outside, Aaron was standing by the old oak tree, his hands in his pockets, looking up at the sky. He didn’t see her coming, and for a moment, she just stood there, watching him. The warm breeze tugged at her hair, and she felt that familiar flutter in her chest.

“Aaron,” she called softly, her voice trembling.

He turned, his face lighting up with that smile that made Mia’s heart skip a beat. “Hey, Mia! What’s up?”

She walked toward him, her feet feeling heavier with each step. “I… I don’t want you to go.”

Aaron’s smile faltered just slightly, and he crouched down to her level. “I don’t want to go either, Mia. But I’ll be back next summer. And we’ll have even more fun, I promise.”

Mia held out the small red flower, her fingers trembling as she gave it to him. “I… I don’t want you to forget about me,” she whispered. She didn’t know why she said it, but it felt right, like something she needed to say.

Aaron took the flower, his expression softening. “I’ll never forget you, Mia. You’re one of my favorite people in the whole world. I’ll be back. I promise.”

Mia nodded, but her heart still ached. She wasn’t sure why it hurt so much to say goodbye, but she did know that this summer had been different—special. And Aaron, with his easy laughter and caring ways, would always have a place in her heart, even if she didn’t have the words for it.

After a long silence, Aaron gave her a final smile, and she watched as he turned to grab his bag from the porch steps. “Take care, okay? Don’t forget to ride that bike next summer. I’ll be waiting to see how good you’ve gotten.”

Mia managed a small, weak smile. “I won’t forget.”
Just as she was about to turn away, she saw June standing in the doorway of the house, her arms crossed and watching them with a bored expression. Mia couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed. Was June really just going to stand there and not say anything?

“See ya, Mia,” Aaron called, breaking her thoughts. “I’m sure I’ll miss you guys.”

“Yeah,” Mia replied, her voice quieter. “I’ll miss you too.”

As he walked away, the knot in Mia’s stomach only grew tighter. She wanted to call out, to tell him something—anything—that might make him stay. But she didn’t. She just stood there, watching as he disappeared from sight.

As she turned to walk back toward the house, she felt a little lighter. Maybe it was the promise of next summer, or maybe it was knowing that, even if she didn’t understand her feelings just yet, she had all the time in the world to figure it out.

“You didn’t say goodbye to Aaron?” Mia asked, half teasing, half curious.

June shrugged, not even looking up from her comic. “Nah. I’ll see him next summer.”

Mia felt a strange mix of emotions. June was so casual about everything—so different from her. But then again, maybe that was just how siblings and family members were when they had known each other forever. Maybe that was why it didn’t bother her the same way it bothered Mia.

Mia let out a small sigh, but June didn’t notice. “Let’s go inside. I’m starving.”

Mia followed her inside, feeling a little lighter than before. She didn’t really know what the feelings in her chest meant, but maybe it didn’t matter for now. She still had next summer to look forward to. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.