1 1

Back when things were easy and sweet, two best friends bought ice cream at a nearby shop.

"Mika if I buy you this you have to stay with me forever," The shy boy blushing with the money his mother gave him on his birthday.

"Bro?" The young girl with half a pigtail up and a cut on her knees, "who's going to hold your hand when you get scared?" Hands on her hips with one eyebrow raised

Feeling as if he is shrinking, "okay you win…" hands the cashier the money for two ice creams.

Mika and Jimmy met in preschool but their relationship didn't start out as friends…

"Mika! Time out now!" Teacher A calls out to Mika from across the room.

Mika was still standing over Jimmy who was protecting his candy bar shivering in fear.

"Mika!" Teacher A still staring mika down as to say 'Now'

"He started it" Mika says in a low growl

Teacher A picks up Mika "That isn't how we settle our problems, young lady" and places her in a corner.

"Sit there and think about your actions!"

Teacher A turns to Jimmy "Are you okay?"

Jimmy, who is still laying on the ground, looks between the teacher and Mika, "Mika didn't hurt me!"

Teacher A rolling her eyes, staring down Mika, "Jimmy you're still new but Mika isn't…. that is what we call a 'bully'"

Jimmy's face turns red.

"Okay! Everyone, let's get ready to go outside," Teacher B comes into the room holding a pair of shoes, "Sandi! Come put on your shoes,"

Mika's body boils with frustration as everyone lines up at the door.

Jimmy follows everyone else to the door, gasping for air, hands themping 'It really wasn't Mika's fault'.

"Move!" Another kid shouts behind Jimmy but before Jimmy could look at who…

'Ouch' Jimmy lands on his bottom once again, this time it hurts. Not knowing what to do Jimmy looks around for help but everyone is more focused on going outside.

Tears start flowing down his cheek. Jimmy felt weak and scared, this new school doesn't seem to care or even nice.

'I'm going to be alone again'

"Get off of me!" a yell in chaos, Jimmy wiping his eyes to see what was that.

The kid who shoved Jimmy on his back defending himself from another kid. Jimmy gasps

"Mika!"

"He's MINE!" Mika yells while scratching at his face.

Something changed for Jimmy at that moment, he not only felt happy but… he held his hands close to his chest and sighs. 'She's amazing'

"Mika! Someone call her mom.." Teacher A pulling Mika off "NOW!"

….

After that day Jimmy followed Mika everywhere, he did not want to be away from her.

Even walking home was like escorting him to her house.

Mika stops walking in front of her house, turning around to face Jimmy.

She pushes him up against a wall, "I D.O.N.T like Y.O.U!" taking in a deep breath "Stay away from me if you know what's good for you.."

Stepping to head inside, Jimmy grabs hold of her hand, "I don't want to… You're my savior… you have to take responsibility"

"What the …."

"MIKA!! Inside now!" Her mom yells from the upstairs window

Pulling her hand away from him, "Thanks alot," runs to the door, "COMING"

Lost in thought, the door slams behind Mika and wakes Jimmy up.

Quickly heat builds up all around him, 'I can't believe I confessed', Jimmy excitedly runs home.

But sadly for the next 10 years Jimmy's confession wasn't heard and he learned more about her while she slowly allowed him to stay by her side.

But when there's a beginning there is always an end, "Jim, which high school are you going to? I think ma said I'm going to Sandi High," Mika says propping up from Jimmy's lap

"Jimmy?"

Jimmy kept his arms to his side, closing his eyes. "I'm Sorry"

Grabbing a hold of his face, "For what?" Twisting to face him with her whole body, "Jimmy? What happened?"

Sighing Jimmy looks up to face Mika, "My dad got a job in California"

"How? Why?" Mika shaking

`

Jimmy pulls Mika in to a hug, "We'll continue to stay in touch I swear," Jimmy says crying

Mika cries as well but knowing this will most likely be the last time they see or talk to each other.

"We can write letters… Okay?" Jimmy pleas

'Impossible… Ma will let me have that much freedom….' Mika is too scared to make a promise.

"Okay…"

With the promise of letters, Jimmy was ready for the move. He spent the next month packing and when it was time to leave.. Mika was nowhere to be found.

"Come on, Jim. We need to get on the highway" Jimmy's dad calls out from the moving truck.

Jimmy was not moving, wishing and waiting for Mika to show but she still didn't show up.

"Come on!"

Jimmy quickly slips a letter in Mika's mail box and runs back to his father off to their new adventure.

…

Mika could hear Jimmy outside talking to his father but she wasn't allowed to go out, she's grounded for spilling the raw meat on the floor from last night.

She always thought about how being grounded is.. But this time was different. She'd rather be beaten than not being able to say goodbye to her one and only friend.

But the fear of disappointing her mother was greater than saying goodbye… As she listens from her room, she can hear the truck driving away. Leaving an empty shell of a person.

She couldn't imagine what the rest of her life was going to turn out to be.

Hiding in a corner, starching her chest causing blood, she silently cries. "What am I going to do now?"

"Mika! Come clean the bathroom!"

Cutting deeper… "Yes, Ma'am"..

As she gets up from the floor she looks back at her window as if Jimmy is standing right there, "Goodbye"