New Neighbors
Ashton's P.O.V
Six Years Old
"Do you really have to go?" I asked my best friend, Manny. He had lived next door to me ever since I can remember. We've been best buds since the first time we played Power Rangers together.
"Yea. My mom said we have to leave soon otherwise my dad will have to drive the truck in the dark & he doesn't want to."
"Why can't you just stay? We start school soon. You're suppose to be in my class."
"I know but this job gives my daddy more money." Manny told me as he dug his foot in the dirt, his hands in his pockets. "I wish I could stay but I can't."
"You can live with me for awhile!" I told him. My mom had a baby in her tummy right now, it was a girl I think, but I'd rather have Manny than a stupid baby sister. "I'll go ask my mom right now!"
"No. I want to Ashton but I think I'll miss my mom too much & she cuts my sandwiches the right way."
"Oh, that's true. I do like the way your mom cuts them into two triangles. My mom does four pieces "
"Yea. But we can write to each other & my mom said we'll come back & visit. Or you can come visit me at my new home!"
"I hope I can. I'm going to miss you a lot."
Manny had been my best friend forever. Not only did he live next door to me, but our windows were lined up with each other's so at night, we'd open our windows & we’d talk to each other across the yard or we'd throw paper airplanes into each other's windows if our parents had told us to go bed.
I was going to miss Manny. I couldn't throw an airplane across the country.
But he had to go.
"I'm sorry little guy, it's going to be alright." My mom told me. "You'll see Manny soon & maybe our new neighbors will be great too!"
"What do you mean new neighbors? Is someone else moving into his house?"
"Yea, that's how moving works bud. Someone else bought Manny's house & Manny's family bought someone else's house in their new town."
"But I don't want new neighbors."
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"Ashton! I have good news! Our new neighbors are moving in this morning! I'm going to make them cookies. Will you help me?"
"Why are you giving them cookies, momma?"
"Just to welcome them into our neighborhood. Do you want to help? You can mix."
I only agreed because mixing was my favorite part. Manny & I used to help our moms make cookies & desserts all of the time. It wasn't the same without him though.
While the cookies baked, I went upstairs & I looked out my window to watch the family. I could see the edge of the moving truck & I watched a sofa, a tv, a few chairs, a table & many many many boxes being unloaded. I just saw a man & a woman moving so I figured they were a newlywed couple with no children.
But then I heard laughter.
I wasn't sure where it was coming from but then I looked over & I saw a little girl with stupid curls bouncing around jumping all over the front lawn.
I could hear her giggle & I could see her curls all the way from my window.
"Ashton? Come on down!" My mom yelled a bit later.
