Prolog: Zane
Age 10
My family and I had just arrived in Mystic Heights Ohio. Mom just opened a new law office here. She came here ahead of us so she could start getting her office organized. I’m a little mad because I had to leave my friends behind and also say good bye to my crush. Maybe I will make a new friend and find a new crush while we are here. I think to myself. “Here we are.” My dad says as he pulls up to a white house with black shutters. The porch has a swing on it and there is a dark blue front door. There is a wooden privacy fence around the back yard and I can see one bedroom with a balcony. The house next door also has a balcony that faces the one on our house. “Has the basement been finished?” My brother asks form the passenger front seat. My dad chuckles and says “Yes. It’s all ready for you. And the bedroom with the balcony is yours Zane.” “Yes!” I say and fist pump the air.
As I help my dad and my brother unload the moving truck I feel someone staring at me. When I turn around, I see a boy about my age holding the hand of a tall man. The man is as tall as my dad. He has tan skin, black hair, and silver eyes. The boy has ivory skin, black hair, and mitch matched eyes. His right eye is an emerald green and his left eye is silver. “How can I help you sir?” My dad asks as he see the man and the boy approach us. “Hello. I’m Tanner Jones and this is my youngest Dakota. My daughter Sarah and other son Max are away from home at the moment so I thought I would bring Dakota over to meet the new neighbors.” Mr. Jones says. I wave at Dakota and he shyly waves back. He is just so cute. I think to myself. “Oh! Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Eric and these are my boys Tommy and Zane. My wife is currently at her new office that she just opened up here.” Dad says as he shakes Mr. Jones hand. “So, Nova is your wife.” Mr. Jones says. “Yes, she is. I guess she took it upon herself to introduce herself.” My dad laughs. “Yeah. She came by a few days ago with homemade fried chicken. She talked about you guys the whole time. But when she told me she has a son Dakota’s age I was happy to hear that. So, I hope that our boys can be great friends.” Mr. Jones says. As our dads talk, I can’t help but stare at Dakota. I have a feeling that one day Dakota will be mine.
