She rushed through the thick forest in the hot, humid air, pushing through the low branches so she could keep a clear view of the light that was shining past the leaves. She couldn't help but laugh; she was having so much fun!
The boy behind her laughed as well, watching his clumsy best friend trip over her own feet despite the mass of roots she could nimbly leap over.
Their hearts were racing, sweat plopped off of their round, childish faces in bucketfuls, their breaths were short and fast. The girl kept her eyes on the light that was growing closer as she stumbled on. She was finally going to win the race, and she excitedly rushed forward. But what she didn't know was that the boy was giving it up for her. He really wanted her to win; who knew when the last time he'll see her is.
In a rush to claim her title, the little girl vacuumed a deep breath of air and forced herself faster and faster until she finally broke through the vivid green leaves.
"I won! I won!" she cheered in glee as she jumped up and down. The little boy smiled as he sat down panting, the girl continuing her winning applaud.
"Yay! You won!" the boy also cheered once he had caught his breath. But he soon averted his gaze, his smile gone.
She stopped as soon as she heard the glum is his tone. Plopping herself down on the sand next to the boy, she tried leaning down to spy his sullen expression. He turned to her with a fake smile. "Ryann? What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.
Ryann looked away. He didn't want to tell her he was sad. Not on the last day. So he sucked up his sadness, and forced a smile as he shook his head. "Nothing's wrong, Myah. Why-"
Myah couldn't help it, she had to hug Ryann. He always thought of her before himself. Ryann blushed as she playfully rubbed their foreheads together and laughed.
"You know you're my best friend, right Ryann?" Myah stopped, but left her forehead pressed against his.
Ryann's smile vanished at that statement. He knew that no one on the island liked Myah, and that was why she and her family were moving to the big country. He turned from her to eye the grains of sand on the beach.
Myah's emotions ran wild at that moment. She was sad and mad, annoyed and curious all at the same time. Why didn't anyone like her? Why doesn't the daycare lady like her? Why don't the other kids in the daycare or her neighbors or anyone like her? Why?
Ryann was nowhere near surprised when he heard soft cries in his ear, as warm tears that didn’t belong to him ran down the side of his face.
"Why...don't...they...like me?" she asked between sobs. "You...like me... Right, Ryann? Why can't...they?"
Ryann couldn't answer because he didn't know why, either. He just knew that no one liked the little girl that was crying on his lap for the last time. He was already out of tears, and still tried comforting her. Ryann knows that he's the only friend that Myah has, and now she'll have to be alone again.
"You won't forget me, will you?" he asked as soon as she stopped crying. He looked down at her red hair and tightened his hug around her. She shook her head, her teary face wetting his. Ryann never thought that he'd have to lose someone like her. Someone he could call his best friend and truly mean it. Someone he felt so close to. What was so wrong with Myah that made this whole village dislike her, neither of the two kids knew. All they knew was that it was going to break them apart.
Ryann sighed and laid his cheek on top of her head, facing the tropical sun. Myah smiled and kissed the cheek that was using her head as a pillow. The little boy blushed and turned back to face her.
"I love you, Ryann!" Myah smiled at her best friend, her round face glowing in the mid-morning sun. Its bright rays haloed around her red hair perfectly, making her look like a sea angel.
Myah gasped in surprise as Ryann kissed her forehead. She looked up at him, started, as the salty sea breeze teased his beachy blonde hair. "I love you, too, Myah." He smiled back.
"You won't forget me, will you?" Myah asked him, a little worried.
But Ryann answered with confidence, "Never."
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