As the day was coming to an end, the horizon was painted in shades of oranges and pinks. It was finally the first day of school, and everyone could feel the enthusiasm in the air. It was the end of summer—the period between the hot days of July and the cool days of autumn. It gave the sense that the world was waiting with bated breath, two seasons fighting for dominance in the realm of fantasy.
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Long shadows from the golden sun stretched across the backyard, causing smiles and voices to sound like flowers when they bloom. People came around the blazing fire, smiling faces swaying with joy and laughter in the warmth of the fire. Summer still felt like a friend, even if the beginning of autumn could be felt from the swaying of the branches.
‘Do you recall that day when we got caught in the rain?’ Sarah said in what could be described as a jovial tone of narrating a summer story. All of us laughed and told them our stories of the summer vacation. It was a night of recalling past events and enjoying lemonade and iced tea.
By evening, tiny speckles of light began to come alive in the pitch black. The climate became comparatively cooler – a sign that autumn was just around the corner. It was a magical change that was rather bittersweet because on one hand, you are saying goodbye to summer but on the other hand, you are saying hello to whatever comes after that.
Someone played a guitar, they tuned to some soft music that echoed the atmosphere. The notes appeared to be laughter and love that the two had shared the entire season, the music of their love.
They had a grand sumptuous meal on the last day – fresh juicy fruits, barbequed corn and chicken barbeques. It blended with the bonfire and engulfed their senses. “It’s summer, let’s drink to that”. Mark cried out in excitement as he lifted his cup. “To the laughs, adventures, and memories we’ll take into fall!” The glasses clashed gently as though sealing the pledge to retain the joy of the season despite the fading sun.
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Over at night, fireflies started twinkling their little lights as if they were falling stars. The group ran after the insects that emitted light, and giggles filled the air with sheer joy. Thus every captured firefly seemed to be a triumph, as the beauty of the moment was understood.
At midnight, they stayed clustered around the diminishing flames, unwilling to surrender the feel of summer. They both expected good things in the fall season such as the falling of the leaves, putting on our warm clothes and harvest. But tonight was not about the storms, but about the moments of happiness they have shared – sunny days and nights filled with stars.
As the fire slowly burnt out, Sarah proposed to write or tell each other what they liked most about this summer and how it knitted them. When the last firefly blinked out and the last chord of the guitar was strummed, there was a lingering sense of wistfulness. They murmured the words that signal the end of summer but the heat would be with them in their souls. The stars shone brightly in the sky and reassured me that the seasons would go on, each having its charm. With memories made and new dreams, they stepped into fall, ready for whatever would come next.