we don't talk anymore

monsters

when I reach the car, all I can think about is Josh and what we used to do together, how close we used to be, how much I miss our memories, our adventures. how much I miss him.

"Josh! Josh! look what I found!" I shout, excitedly.

"what did you find?" I hear him call out.

"I found a sword! look how huge it is!" I tell him, watching him marvel at the stick I found. I look around, trying to help him find one. once he finds one he likes, we run through the forest and into his backyard, pretending to ride dragons and fight monsters.

"Josh, the first day of second grade is tomorrow, are you scared?" I ask him, setting down my sword as he swings his around.

"yeah, but we're in the same class, so it'll be okay! plus we have a new music teacher!" he tells me, trying to keep my spirits up. he runs around and starts stabbing at the air.

"Tyler! there's a monster behind you!" Josh screams. I turn around and see Josh jump in front of me, as he yells and hits the air his stick breaks in half, the top part flying and landing on his back porch.

"oh no!" he cries. I bend down and pick up my own sword, handing it to him. he smiles and says, "hey don't worry. it'll be okay! school will be great! we'll still hang out and color and fight monsters together like we always do! my dad is even building a treehouse soon!"

"pinky promise?" I ask him, offering my pinky finger. he grins and his small eyes squint. he wraps his pinky around mine and says, "promise!"

his mom walks outside with mine saying, "Josh! Tyler's mom is here!"

"aw!" Josh whines. he hugs me and gives me my sword back.

"thanks for letting my use it, Ty."

"keep it!" I tell him.

"thanks Ty!" he smiles, we walk to my mom's car together and he gives me another hug. when we drive away I wave to Josh, and he waves back.