{ three }

me and Ali were strolling through the forest. grass and sticks crunching and breaking under our feet, along with many leaves. "see, walking isn't that bad" I broke the silence, looking down at the ground and making sure I don't trip. I didn't hear a reply from Ali, so I looked around, trying to find something that could strike up a conversation.

I saw a big tree with sturdy branches. "hey, Ali.. " I said, a fun idea popping up in my head. "what is it?" Ali looked at me, and I continue speaking. "we should climb that tree." I said as I pointed to the tree I saw. "I don't know, Noah.." his friend sounded unsure. "oh come on, you're the one who always says I have to take more risks" I pushed, a part of me kind of thought he might be right. "true.." he heard Ali say, but it wasn't a clear answer. "sooo is that a yes?" I asked, hopeful. after a few moments, I saw Ali climbing up the tree "hey! wait for me" I called to him, running to the tree

I struggle to climb up the tree, I grabbed any sturdy branches in reach, and slowly climbed up after Ali. I saw him resting on a big branch, he looked like he was out of breath. it was tough climbing trees. I hauled myself up onto another branch, the one I was sitting on was slightly higher than Ali's branch. it was a little thinner, but was still strong enough to hold my weight. after catching my breath, I looked down at Ali, who was at the other end of the tree. "so how was that?" I asked him, smiling. "too much work" Ali replied, and I chuckled, turning back around. I leaned my head against the trunk, staring at the leaves that were attached to the branch I was on. I heard something rustle in a tree near ours, but I didn't see anything. I assumed it was just a squirrel and turned back to Ali "I'm getting sore, let's head back down" I said, already starting to climb down. I saw Ali climbing back down very slowly above me.

suddenly I heard a scream come from Ali. I looked up, alarmed, seeing him hang from a branch, about to fall "Ali, are you okay?" I asked, worried. "yeah, I think I'm fin--" before he finished his sentence his hands slipped off the branch, and I gasped, reaching for him as he fell. my eyes glowed, making a magical barrier right under Ali. my eyes were wide. I can't believe what I'm seeing, this must be some kind of dream. "A-ali?" I asked him, stuttering slightly. I saw that Ali was pale from shock. the magical barrier disappeared as fast as it came, and he fell to the ground, it was way less of a distance though, so he was okay.

I climbed down the tree, shaking wildly. "Noah, what the hell was that?" I heard him say, and I looked down at my hands. "i- I don't know.."