Chapter 1
Ten Years Ago (Julian is 10 and Caleb is 11 here)
Julian's POV
I sat under the same tree I always say everything Saturday afternoon.
It was at the very far edge of the community park where other children rarely played around or even glanced out. The branches were so wide and thick that it could hide me from most of the other kids.
I liked it there. Away from the judging eyes of others. I could watch them but they couldn't see me. I felt safe that way.
My eyes darted towards the children taking turns on the swing flying into the air very high. A group of boys ran through the park with a string connected to a kite in their hands, their laughter so loud that I had to cover my ears. Two girls sat on the steps trading snacks and telling jokes that I wanted to listen in on.
Everyone was playing with their friends.
Everyone except me.
With a defeated sigh I picked up a tiny stone beside my feet and rubbed the uneven surface with my thumb.
Then I tossed it forward watching as it fell on the ground with a soft clack sound.
I did it again.
And again.
I loved picking up different stones and studying how they were different from each other. That was how I spent my time at the park or just watching the other children play.
Sometimes I wondered what it felt like to run across the field like them. To laugh loudly without worrying someone might look at you funny.
But the other children were always scared to come close to me. It wasn't because I was big and scary or that I did something wrong.
They never tried to play with me because of my parents.
My parents were very popular in our neighbourhood and it wasn't for a good reason. They were always fighting and causing problems for other people. They would collect money from people and refuse to pay back and they were always being picked up by the police for one reason or another.
Once, I overheard a classmate of mine saying how his mom said that my house was a very dangerous place filled with all sorts of bad things.
After that, the other kids started keeping their distance from me worried that if they're seen with me then it'll make their parents angry too.
I watched as another stone rolled across the dirt as I flicked it away.
I sighed quietly resting my chin on my knees.
Then, I heard faint voices coming from behind the bushes behind the back fence.
Curiosity taking the best of me, I stood up carefully brushing the dirt off my jumpers.
The closer I got the louder the voices became.
I paused trying not to attract any attention towards me. Squatting down I brushed a few branches away watching as two kids stood in the small clearing behind the playground staring at each other.
A girl and a boy.
They looked about my age.
Tears streamed down the girl's face,her shoulders trembling violently.
She was bawling her eyes at whatever the boy was saying to her.
"But I already told you that I don't like you," the boy said bluntly.
His voice was so calm as if he was an adult talking to a child.
"Stop asking me to be your boyfriend. I do not want that"
The girl cried even louder at his words.
"Stop being mean to me" she sniffles,her voice trembling. "I… I spent all night making that gift for you. I thought you… you'll like it"
She held out something in her hands.
A small paper flower bouquet filled with different coloured paper flowers.
The boy snatched it out of her hand.
I watched quietly from behind the bush wondering what he was going to do with it. I'd accept it if it were me.
But that's not what he did.
He raised the bouquet to his face, a small frown settling on his face and then without warning he crumbled it in his hand in a quick motion.
"I don't like it. It's ugly. What kind of flower is this"
A soft gasp escaped the girl's lips, her lips trembling as she stared at the boy.
I felt bad for her.
I was about to go back to my tree when I stepped on a branch.
Snap.
The two children turned towards me immediately when they heard the sound and I froze.
I watched the girl's eyes widened when she saw that I was there.
Her cheeks turned red instantly.
Without saying another word, she covered her face and ran past me, disappearing toward the playground.
I opened my mouth to try and explain myself but no words came out.
The boy stared at me with narrowed eyes as if trying to figure out who I was.
"What are you looking at?" he asked.
My heart started beating faster. I didn't mean to cause trouble.
"I…I wasn't…"
The boy walked closer.
And out of instinct I took a step back. I didn't want him to get a clear look at my face and then he'll avoid me like the others.
His hands clenched nervously.
But instead of laughing or trying to run away, the boy tilted his head slightly.
"Ive seen you before." He said.
I stared at him unblinking.
"O…okay"
"You're always sitting by yourself under that tree. Don't you have any friends to play with?" The boy asked casually, shoving his hands into his pocket.
I felt my ears heat up.
"Oh…"
He continued to stare at me until I felt uncomfortable.
Then suddenly he asked,
"Do you want to be my friend?"
For a moment I thought I hadn't heard him properly. No one has ever asked to be my friend before.
Ever.
My chest filled with something warm and bright.
"Really?" I asked carefully.
The boy nodded excitedly.
"Yes. Really. I'm Caleb."
I stared at him for a second before walking towards him, stopping when I was right in front of him.
"I'm Julian."
Caleb stuck out his hand.
I hesitated for half a second before shaking it.
Caleb's grip was firm and warm.
"Cool," Caleb said. "Lets go and play"
And since then…
We became best friends.