**FLASHBACK CHAPTER**
May 14th, 2018
"Kade!! Slow down, c'mon, you know how short my legs are!!" Annie gasped out, running to her friend. Her short brown hair was clipped back out of her eyes, her smile wide. She caught up to the boy she was walking with and shoved him, laughing as he stumbled forward. "That's for going ahead of me!!"
"Anne, be nice!! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" the boy laughed and shook his head to get his curly black hair out of his eyes. He took her hand and grinned. "How about I hold your hand so I don't go too fast?"
"Sounds perfect Kade!"
June 18th, 2018
"Last day of 8th grade!! We did it Anne, we did it!!" Kade hugged Annie tightly, lifting her up slightly. "Isn't that amazing?"
"Yeah..it really is. I can't believe we got through it. Next year is high school!" Annie got out of his arms and held his hand. "I am sad we won't be in the same school...I'm going to the tech school.."
"Well, the thing is Anne, I got in too! I applied and got accepted in! We get to go to school together all over again! We can start the band and we get to spend the next 4 years together and...this is so exciting Anne!!"
"Oh god, the band! We get to start it and play music and-"
"Anne, Anne, breathe, okay? Breathe..." Kade smiled brightly at her and held her hands "Kade and Annabelle against the world."
February 20, 2019
"So, are you coming to my house for February vacation? My mom was wondering because of course she is." Annie laughed and smiled, leaning back on Kade's shoulder. Her hair was longer, dyed green and black and put up in pigtails. Kade smiled softly at her and twisted a bit of her hair in his finger.
"Like always Anne, you know how much I love coming over. I'll walk home with you today, okay?"
"Isn't it a little cold to walk home? Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Yeah, totally! I don't care if it's fucking cold, I get to spend extra time with my best friend!" Annie laughed and Kade smiled bright as ever, hugging her.
July 10th, 2020
Kade walked out of the school doors, grumbling and glaring down at the ground as he walked. He kicked a stone across the pavement, looking up and scanning his surroundings in the hot sun. Up on the hill beside the school, Annie stood there waving to him with a bright smile. Kade sighed and went up the hill to her, slightly struggling to climb the gentle incline.
"Kade!! Congratulations, you finished summer school!! I'm so proud of you!!" she ran and hugged him, not getting a hug in return. She pulled away, frowning slightly. "Kade...? What's wrong..?"
"Nothing. This is great. Woo-hoo. Amazing." Kade spoke in a flat tone, not his old happy, bubbly voice. Annie looked up at him and cupped his face, brushing his hair out of his face. His skin wasn't a healthy colour, now looking dull and pale, his eyes tired.
"Kade, you look terrible...come back to my place, I'm going to take care of you..." Kade sighed and closed his eyes, resting his face in her hands. The two walked home together, Kade slouched over the whole time. The two arrived at her house and she unlocked the door, taking him to her room.
"Kade, I'm worried about you...I know you're trying to hide it but I can see it..you're not healthy and you're losing weight..."
"Annie...Annie I'm fine...just a rough patch..." Kade sat on her bed, sighing softly and taking his jacket off.
"You better not be lying to me Kade Neeves...don't you dare lie to me..."
