The sun warmed the green grass as Kelly unfolded her crinkly map. Her finger traced the zigzag path toward the old oak tree. The paper smelled of pencil graphite and summer air. She pointed to the red 'X' at the end of the line.
Kelly marched toward the first landmark—a twisted root—and dug frantically into the dirt. Dirt sprayed onto her sneakers, coating them in brown specks. Only dry leaves were found. She wiped her forehead, leaving a smudge of earth across her brow.
At the second clue, a hollow log, Kelly peered inside and gasped. A squirrel chattered from the shadows, startling her backward. A single acorn rolled out and stopped right at her toe, glinting like gold in the sunlight. She picked it up with a puzzled frown.
The final clue led to a bushy rosemary shrub near the bench. Something metallic glinted under the leaves. Kelly reached in, ignoring the prickly stems, and pulled out a small, shiny tin box tied with blue ribbon. Her breath hitched as she heard the latch click open.
Inside rested not gold, but five handmade friendship bracelets, each one distinct and colorful. Kelly laughed aloud, the sound bright against the buzzing bees. She immediately started looping the woven threads around her wrist. The sun dipped lower, casting long, happy shadows.