3 Day later after me and Mia became friends.

  I was sitting at the table, eating quietly, when I told my mom I was going to the park.

  She looked up at me and nodded.

  Dont stay out too late she said gently.

  I won't I replied.

  I grabbed my shoes and walked outside, the afternoon air warm against my face. My heart felt light as I made my way down familiar path. I didn't know why, but I hoped she would be there.

  And she was

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Mia stood near the swings. When she saw me, her face lit up, and she smiled.

  Hi she said waving.

  Hi i said back.

  We started playing like before running, laughing, forgetting everything else. For a moment, it felt like it just the two of us stuck in another world.

  Than a voice interrupted us.

  A group of kids from Mia's school walked into the park. I could tell right away they were her friends. They stopped when they saw her with me.

  One of them frowned.

  Mia what are you doing? She asked.

  Nothing Mia said quickly.

  They all looked at me then, their eyes curious... and mean.

  Who's is that? one of them asked.

  Before Mia could ever answer, another kid laughed.

  "Is this your friend? This loser?"

  My chest tightened. I looked at Mia, waiting for her to say something. Anything.

  She hesitated.

  Then she shook her head.

  NO! she said. HES NOT MY FRIEND.

  Those words hurt me more than I understood at the

  time.

  One of the boys in her group called out to her. The boy she liked. I saw the way her eyes changed when she looked at him.

  Come on, her friend said.

  Mia glanced at me one last time. She didn't smile. And She didn't say goodbye.

  She just turned around and walked away.

  I stood there alone, watching her leave.

  Mia never came back to me after that day.

  And I didn't know it then...

  but that was the moment something inside me broke.