Childhood Friend – Part ll

Ophelia looked up to see a tall man drenched in sweat standing in front of her, dressed in black joggers and a t-shirt. He was breathing through his mouth and looking down at her with surprised, uncertain blue eyes. She recognised him with one look at his gorgeous face and those blue eyes.
"Leighton!" Ophelia exclaimed in surprise, and a lovely smile appeared on his lips.
"Oh, my good grief! It is you!" Leighton exclaimed in surprise, and in a flush, he drew her into a hug.
"Leighton you're f*ucking sweaty like an ape!" Ophelia hollered as she broke free from his embrace. Leighton grinned and took a step back.
"God! I'll have to take another shower!" Leighton laughed as Ophelia shuddered in disgust. "I'm not even sweating!" Ophelia rolled her eyes as Leighton chuckled. "Yes, you are you monkey!"
"Really! Let's see-" he took a step towards her with open arms and Ophelia squealed dodging his arms.
"Come here, you crow!" Leighton yelled, and Ophelia dashed towards her house.
"As if!"
"If you don't come here, I'll dunk you in a toilet!" As he pursued Ophelia, Leighton yelled. She came to a halt in front of their front door and turned around.
"I'd like to see you give it a shot, you monkey!" Leighton grinned evilly and charged at her in response to her threat. Ophelia screamed as she turned around and ran, but she came to a halt when she ran into something. When she looked up, she saw her father looking down at her, perplexed. Ophelia turned around to face Leighton, who was charging at her and hid behind her father. Mason looked up to see Leighton running towards him.
"Mr Jade, good morning! How are you doing? It's great to see you!" Leighton exclaimed as he ran around Mason, attempting to catch Ophelia, who was running in circles around Mason, attempting to avoid Leighton. Mason looked down at them, dumbfounded.
"I'm good, how are your parents? God, what are you kids doing!" As Ophelia hurriedly handed him the letters and ran towards the backyard, he exclaimed.
"We are not kids anymore!" They both exclaimed at the same time and continued running towards the backyard. Their laughter filled the air as they ran around the backyard.
The backyard was a miniature woodland of holly trees and native shrubs, each trimmed as if they were green flames. Moving around them is a kind of music, a poetry that cannot be expressed in words but is heard and soothes everything.
"You are faster than I remember!" Ophelia grinned as Leighton exclaimed.
"And you're slower than I remember. I guess all those muscles are just for show!"
"You did not just call me slow!" Leighton exclaimed in surprise.
"At the very least, I didn't call you 'fast!'" Ophelia winked and noticed Leighton's grin turn evil.
"You little crow!" When Leighton charged at her with incredible speed, Ophelia squealed and began running forward. Leighton laughed evilly behind her, and she screamed as she tripped at the pool's edge and prepared to fall into the cold water. She didn't fall, however, and her body was hovering above the water. She turned around to see Leighton holding her arm and breaking her fall. Leighton smiled as a grateful and relieved smile appeared on her lips. Ophelia's eyes widened when Leighton's grin grew evil.
"Oh no!" She muttered, and Leighton let go of her hand. Leighton's laughter filled the air as Ophelia screamed as she fell into the cold water.
"It's a shame it's not a toilet!" Leighton yelped as Ophelia's hand gripped his calf and yanked him down onto the pool.
"At least you won't stink anymore, you monkey!" Leighton splashed water on Ophelia as she laughed. "I don't stink!"
"You certainly do! Ever hugged a sweating monkey that didn't shower forever!" Leighton grabbed Ophelia's neck and patted her head as she poked her tongue out. "You little crow!"
He let go of Ophelia after she laughed. "God, I've missed you!" As she hugged him, Ophelia exclaimed. "I missed you as well!" Leighton replied as he sighed and hugged her tight.
"Oy! Breakfast is ready! Get out of the pool!" Mason yelled from inside the house, and they laughed as they exited the pool.
"Go change, and come quickly!" Ophelia gave the order, and he humorously saluted. "Yes Ma'am!"
Ophelia laughed as he jogged away towards his home. And she went to her room. Leighton was one of the very few friends she had growing up and he was the closest. They studied together from kindergarten to the junior year of high school until Leighton's family moved to the United Kingdom. Ophelia joined the Air Force, and they gradually lost contact. Leighton had tried to find her and contact her after returning to the United States, but he couldn't since they had moved.
Leighton was already downstairs, chatting and laughing with Ophelia's father after she changed her clothes and came downstairs. She joined them for breakfast, and they talked, laughed, and caught up for the years they had been apart.
"It's great to see you again, Ophelia. I'd almost given up hope of ever seeing you again." Ophelia smiled as Leighton scratched the back of his neck sincerely.
"Let's hang out soon again."
"You bet!" Leighton grinned and they said their goodbyes. After Leighton left, Ophelia closed the door and walked inside the mansion. She walked over to the small table with the letters and newspaper and discovered the letter with her name on it. Ophelia ripped the envelope open and opened the letter.
Dear Captain Ophelia Jade,
We are pleased to confirm that you have been selected to work for Emirates Airlines Mainline Carrier-
Ophelia stopped and her eyes widened. Mason's footsteps came to a halt, and she looked up, wide-eyed. Mason was tying his tie when he came to a halt and looked at her surprised and shocked expression. His gaze was drawn to the letter in her hand, and a sheepish smile formed on his lips and Ophelia exclaimed.
"Dad!”