Chapter 1
Seven years ago
Marple street park felt good this summer.
Not because it's a summer but because he's here with me.
My best friend.
Leo Carter.
"Leo, you're cheating!" I frowned.
"How?" He said completely doubtful.
"You opened your eyes" I complained.
"You haven't even started counting yet"
"That's the point, you have to close your eyes before i start counting"
"I don't think there's any rule like that in the game hide and seek"
"Well it's now included" i defended.
"In yours, not in history"
I slapped his shoulder. "That's unfair"
"Life is unfair"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "You're being mean"
"How?"
"Because you think you're older than me"
"I am"
"With a year"
"Yh, ten year old girl, im older than you with a year"
"Haha lol" I rolled my eyes being sarcastic.
He laughed. "Okay im sorry"
"You always like showing off your age"
"Mads, it's just me being annoying, i didn't mean it"
"Okay sure"
"Now let's play hide and seek!" He declared.
I giggled.
"Beware, I'm a fast runner"
"Don't worry, I'm fully aware"
He smiled. "Okay"
I was about counting when a voice cut through.
"Hey leo!"
We both turned.
Some group of kids called him
"Why don't you join us, play soccer?"
He immediately turned to me, his lips stuck out.
I knew what he was on.
"Please, it'll only take a while"
"A while?
"Yes a while"
"Promise?"
"I promise"
""Fine"
"Thank you"
He ran off.
I guess I'm alone.
All alone.
But it's just for a short while, nothing more.
~•~
It's been hours and Leo wasn't done.
I mean not done with them.
They were done playing soccer but he didn't return, he talked with them totally forgetting my existence.
I thought of going to confront him but it'll only make me look desperate.
But I'm desperate!.
Not like he even notices.
Another hour goes by and this time i frowned.
I looked at him.
He was still talking with them.
Thry laughay dome point and i could guess correctly that it was Leo.
Among the group of kids Leo was talking with i noticed a girl standing beside Leo, she blushed every single time he said something funny or looked at her.
I hated that.
I'm his best friend, she has no right to act like she's his bestie.
"Madison!"
I turned.
Nanny Maya was walking towards me.
I knew what she was going to say so i frowned.
"Aww, dare" Nanny Maya said.
"I don't wanna leave yet" I muttered.
"I know but your parents are already waiting for you at home, they have some really important news to tell you"
I sighed. "But—"
"C'mon we gotta go" she held a hand onto me.
I took it and she stood me up.
"I wanna say my goodbye to Leo first"
She nodded.
I walked up yo him.
The conversation died down as i was few inches away.
Leo suddenly turned to me.
"Mads"
"Im going home" I walked away.
"Mads wait"
I heard footsteps running behind me but didn't bother to turn ar all since ge didn't care at all.
"Mads"
I felt someone grab my hands turning me towards who it was.
Of course it was Leo.
"I'm sorry"
"For what?" I asked pretending to be dumb about the situation.
"I know you were hurt"
"I wasn't, infact i had a good me time"
"I know you didn't"
"Oh you know, then why leave me all alone to play by myself"
"I'm sorry Mads, it'll never happen again, i promise"
"You broke the last promise"
"I promise not yo break this one"
"I don't trust you"
"Please, i promise it won't happen again"
"Are you sure"
He nodded. "Very sure"
I smiled.
"So we good?" He asked bringing forth a hand.
"Yeah" i shook it.
"So I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Maybe"
"No maybe's, I want us to play tomorrow, just the two of us"
"Okay"
"Promise"
I rolled my eyes. "I promise"
"Good"
"Oh and aldo promise me you'll never hang out with bad friends"
"Bad friends?"
"Yeah, those other kids you were talking to, they looked really bad"
"Seriously?"
"Yeah"
He sighed. "Fine, i promise"
I smiled. "Thank you"
"Anything for my best friend"
We hugged one last time before Nanny Maya took me home.
Nanny Maya opened the door for me.
I immediately jumped into the house.
My parents were already in the parlor.
"Mommy, Daddy" i ran towards them.
They bith hugged me.
"How was the park?" Mom asked.
"It was good"
"That's good to hear" Dad said.
"Mommy, Daddy, Nanny Maya said you have news" .
"Oh yeah but we're not sure how this is going to relate with you"
My brow's knotted. "Id everything alright?"
"Of course yes" Mom assured me.
"Okay so what's wrong?"
"Daddy has been promoted in work"
"Really?, congratulations Daddy" i hugged him.
"Thanks my darling"
"Soo when are we celebrating, daddy always celebrates his new promotions"
"Yes sweetie, we'll do just that but that's not all" Mom said.
Fir some reason her tone sounded suspicious.
Like there was something more to it.
"Is there more?" I asked.
Mom nodded. "Yes sweetie, your dad is not going to be staying here to work—"
Oh no.
I have a bad feeling about this.
"Which means we're relocating"
"What!?"
"Yes sweetie, we're going to Canada, we've already booked tickets for next week"
"Next week?"
"Yes sweetie, we're really sorry to bring this news to you in a hurry"
"But what about Leo,my school, my friends?"
"For school, we'll admit you into one of the best schools in Canada and for friends you'll make new friends but Leo— he'll have to stay behind, we can't take him with us"
"No mom, he's my only friend"
"You'll make new friends"
"I don't want new friends!" I yelled.
"Madison"
"I don't want to go to Canada, i don't want new friends snd I don't want new anything!"
"Madison" Mom said.
"Noo!, I don't want this, i don't want to go anywhere!"
"Madison"
I ran to my room, closed the door behind me and sobbed.
To me it was the worst thing that'll happen to me, to my parents it was a good thing.
They never knew what was ahead of us.
And unfortunately—
So did i
