Introduction
Toni and Kenny met on a crisp autumn afternoon when they were both 9 years old . The leaves had turned shades of orange and red, and the air was filled with the earthy scent of the season. Toni had just moved to the small town in Maryland with her family. She felt nervous about starting a new school and making new friends.
It was Saturday, and Toni decided to explore a nearby park. She loved climbing trees and had spotted a particularly beautiful oak tree. As she scrambled up, she didn't notice the boy sitting in one on the higher branches, his nose buried in a comic book.
"Hey watch out!" Kenny shouted as Toni's foot grazed his arm. She almost lost her balance but managed to hold onto a branch just in time.
"Oh, sorry!" Toni replied, looking at him. "I didn't see you there, who reads books in a tree anyway". Kenny frowned. "It's okay. I'm Kenny. What's your name?".
"Toni" she answered, climbing up to sit on the same branch. "I just moved here". Toni smiled. "Do you like comics?".
"Ive never read one" Toni admitted.
Kenny's eyes widened in surprise. "Never? Well you're in luck. This is one of the best ones. Star Wars". Kenny handed Toni the book. "You can keep it if you want".
"Thanks Kenny, I'll give it back"
From that day on, Toni and Kenny met at the park every Saturday. They climbed trees, read comics and talked about their dreams and adventures. Toni loved how Kenny always had a new story to share, and Kenny enjoyed Toni's curiosity and boldness. As the months passed, Toni felt more at home in Maryland, thanks to Kenny. They soon became inseparable.
One Saturday, as they sat in their tree fort, Kenny seemed unusually quiet. He fidgeted with a small stick, tracing patterns in the dirt. "Is everything okay Kenny" Toni asked sensing something was wrong. Kenny looked up at Toni as Tears filled his eyes. "I don't wanna leave". Toni frowned not understanding. "My dad and I are moving. He has another job in California" Kenny said sadly. Toni felt like the ground had been pulled from under her. "When?"
"In two weeks" Kenny said softly. "I don't want to tell you".
Toni's eyes filled with tears. "What about our fort & comics? And all our adventures?"
Kenny's voice was above a whisper. "I'm going to miss you a lot".
For the next two weeks Toni and Kenny made the most out of their time together. They spent every moment drawing pictures, sharing memories together and exploring the park. They even decided to have a time capsule with everything in it. Even a letter each other had written to one another.
"This way, we'll always have a part of us here" Kenny said as the buried the capsule. "And maybe one day we can come back and find it".
" you're my best friend" Toni said
"Best friends forever Promise?" Kenny
stuck out his pinky. "Promise"
The day Kenny moved away was one of the hardest days of Toni's life. She stood by the oak tree, waving as his family's car drove off, a lump in her throat and tears streaming down her face. Kenny waved back until the car disappeared from view.
