Just A Step Away

Chapter 1

Katherine POV:

"Mommy?" I called my mother.

"Yes sweetie?" She picked me up in her arms and asked.

"Mommy, why he always sits alone? And why doesn't he play with us?" I said pointing at the 7 year old boy who was sitting on one of the bench in park.

Mommy eyed him closely and smiled at me.

Go, ask yourself?" She said while putting me down.

"He's your best friend's son, mommy. You say Aunt Marie to ask him to play with us." I replied.

"You are too clever to be a 7 year old." She laughed at me. Sure, I'm very clever and quite observant. I had always seen him sitting alone on the bench or swings.

"What about you go and ask him yourself, in the meantime I can talk to your aunt Marie?"

"Okay." She kissed my forehead before heading towards Aunt Marie.

I saw him looking at me and smiling shyly. I smiled back and walked towards him. When I reached the bench where he was sitting, I offered him my hand to shake. He blushed and shook my hand.

"Hey. My name is Katherine." I said as I sat beside him.

"I know. I am Darwin" He said looking at me and then averted his eyes.

"Why don't you play with us?" I asked him.

"They are not my friend and so aren't you?" He was nervously rubbing his thumb on his right hand palm.

"They are not. But I can be, if you want." I smiled at him widely.

He grinned and gave me his one of the biggest smile. His front two teeth were missing. Just like mine.

"Really?"

"Yes."

******************

"Darwin?" I called out his name.

"Yeah?" He replied absent mindedly. He was busy in making a house from his blocks. We were sitting in his play yard when I saw a beautiful tree.

"I want to climb on that tree." I pointed at the nearest tree.

He sat straight and looked at the tree and then eyed me with a terrified expressions.

"This is too dangerous Kathie."

"Please." I pouted.

"Fine. If that's what makes you happy then we'll do it." He smiled at me and pinched my cheeks.

"Really? You are my best friend Darwin." I jumped up and down and hugged him.

"And you are my only friend." He looked at me and said.

"Come on, let's go." I grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the tree.

He picked me up by holding my waist tightly and I tried to put my right leg on the branch. He pushed me upwards but suddenly I lost my grip and started falling backwards on Darwin. He tried to save me but failed and I fell on the ground. There was a tiny sharp stone on the ground which hit my knee. I cried in pain and tears started making their way out of my eyes.

"Kathie are you Okay? Oh my God! Your knee is bleeding." Darwin checked my knee and I sobbed loudly this time.

"It's hurting." I said between my sobs.

Darwin looked at me and I saw tears in his eyes too. Is he wounded too? Then his next action stunned me on my place. He ran away.

"Darwin! Where are you going?" I called out his name but he didn't listen. I felt betrayed. I was in pain and my best friend left me on my own. How can he? I was fuming in anger.