Reminiscence

Chapter 1

The leaves of the trees ruffled in the wind, creating a subtle sound that soothed the soul. Kigami looked down at the ground and picked up a pinecone. He couldn't help observing it like it was a lost treasure. Kigami knew he was only a teenager, but he thought he'd never lose his sense of wonder. He walked into the park like he always did and sat on the rusted green bench. He set his backpack down next to him and pulled out a small sketchbook and an old pencil. He could see other kids playing on the playground. He could hear them laughing and talking loudly as they ran around in the sand. Kigami began to draw a circle, forming a face shape of a face in his sketchbook. He drew detailed eyes, a small nose, and slightly parted lips in a smirk. Just as he was almost finished, Kigami saw a drop on his page. He touched his cheek and realized he was crying. The tears came like a flood and Kigami couldn't stop them. He heard the kids playing in the backround and felt one of his most precious memories coming back to him.

Kigami was eight years old. He remembered being punched to the ground. "Retard! Go away, you should just die already!" A group of boys stood over him. One of them threw a basketball at him, it hitting the left side of his face. Then just like that they left. Kigami sat on the ground in the hallway and started to cry, tasting a bit of blood coming from his lip. He tried to touch his eye but it hurt so much that it made him wince. Suddenly footsteps approached. Kigami got up as quick as he could and ran into the nearest bathroom. It was no use, he heard the footsteps grow faster and go into a run. Kigami ran into a stall and sat in a corner, hiding his face in his hands. The footsteps stopped then slowly grew nearer. Kigami heard a voice, "Hello? Are you in here?" It was a boy. The boy came up to Kigami. He got down on the floor quietly. "They beat you up, didn't they." Kigami looked up. The boy was so close, Kigami could feel his breath on his face. Ashido smiled, "They're the rich kids so they never get in trouble." Kigami felt a teardrop ride down his cheek. The boy smiled at him, "I'm Ashido." Ashido held out his hand, "Want to be my friend?" Kigami was shocked by his boldness and how straightforward he was. Kigami sniffled and shook his hand in response and nodded, "mhm". Ashido's smile almost felt contagious. "Then it's settled, we've always got each other's back. No matter what." And as simple as that, a friendship that would mean the world to Kigami was at it's beginning.