Autumn Leaves | p.p.

| 1 {Sophie} |

"Mommy do we have to move?" My tiny six year old self ran to my mother and hugged her legs. I tried giving her the puppy eyes and sticking my lip out, as if that would stop the men carrying our couch out the door.

"Yes Sophie, I'm sorry baby that's just how it has to be right now," she crouched down so she would be face to face with me, "but we're going to have fun aren't we?"

I nodded, "why can't dad come with?" I looked over my mother's shoulder at my dad standing against the wall behind my mom. When I turned back to her I could see her face turn grim.

"Your mom and I have different jobs Soph, we're busy, that's all," he smiled as best as he could. I ran over and he picked me up to hug me, I started crying like the child I was and continued to until I was strapped into my car seat. I could see my mom let a few tears fall down her pale cheek but she didn't say a word the whole drive.

We drove for a few hours, I ended up passing out somewhere just outside Cleveland. My mother picked me up out of my seat and I cracked my eyes open, my first thought was how weird it seemed to see so many buildings. I got excited when I saw a park across the street from where we parked. The trees at the park were all covered in the fiery shades of autumn.

"This is home now, what do you think?" My mother set me down and let me look at the apartment building. It was covered in brown bricks with large windows.

"I love it mommy," I giggled and ran through the front door, nearly tripping on the front step. There were so many turns I could take but I went straight up the stairs to our apartment. My mother opened the door and released me to rocket through the space.

"That one's yours Sophie," I turned and saw my mother pointing to the room at the very end of the hall, I ran to it and giggled like, well, a little girl. It was much bigger than mine back at my dad's house, it had a window seat looking out into the back and big windows for me to stare out of.

"Can we stay here forever mama?" I ran to her and hugged her again.

"Sure peanut, let's stay here forever," she kissed the top of my head and smiled.

We went back down to the street so my mom could direct the movers where to put certain things. I ran to the park across the street with her trailing behind me. I excitedly started picking up leaves and shoving them into my pink raincoat pockets. I went to pick up a tiny yellow leaf when a small hand snatched it up. I looked at the little boy holding it.

"Give it back, that's mine!" I huffed.

"I wasn't taking it, I saw you going to pick it up, here," he handed it over to me with a smile.

"No, you keep it I've got a bunch," I said hesitantly.

"I'm Peter, my aunt is talking to your mom," he pointed to where my mother stood talking to another woman.

"I'm Sophie, and I'm almost seven," I said proudly.

"I'm already eight," he put his hands on his hips, standing ridiculously in a superhero stance. I didn't know what to say to him, I was kind of just confused. This boy was really cute and I was excited.

"Wanna see my toys?" I asked and a huge grin spread across his face while he nodded his head frantically. "Come on," I grabbed his hand and pulled him inside.

"Oh cool," he yelled and crawled up onto the bench under my window.

"Soph?" My mom popped her head in, Peter's aunt behind her.

"Hi mommy," I smiled as I tugged at one of my toy boxes.

"Aunt May can I play here for a while?" Peter's wide brown eyes begged his aunt.

"It's really no trouble, I'll be unpacking in the kitchen," my mom shrugged.

"Oh why not, I'll help you Meghan," Peter's aunt smiled at my mother as they retreated back towards the front of the apartment.

"This one's my favorite," I held up a batman action figure, his eyes widened.

"You have that one too?" He grinned.

I nodded excitedly, "he's my all time favorite superhero and always will be."

"Mine too, always," he smiled and picked up another toy. I smiled at Peter. He was going to be my best friend.