✔︎ Simple Beginnings || Zach Herron

<2>

As Suhani and I drove around the countryside, I started to notice how much I care for her. Sure I'm her friend and always want to make sure she's happy, but I've realized she's the only person I ever tell my secrets too. Not even Joey knows about some of the things I've said her. From my bi-curious nature to that one time I split my knee open and didn't tell anyone. To me, she is and always will be my most trusted friend.

"It's three, might as well be heading back home," I say not thinking about how close we are. "Before we head home, I'm taking you somewhere!" Suhani half shouts in the already small enough car. Great. I hate surprises, never mind on a day like this. But it's too late to change her mind. Suhani has always been a very determined person. Ever since I met her way back in fifth grade, she has won every argument we've had and can almost always get her way when it comes to adults. As soon as she turns off the car I practically jump out of it too excited for my good. "Ice cream!" I say, not caring that there are about fifteen kids with their parents surrounding the small store. She knows how ice cream makes me feel. Perfectly complete!

While licking my double chocolate chunk with cookie dough I hear the door open, but this time I hear the subtle whispers of teenagers other than the usual screaming eight-year-olds. As I see them creeping towards Suhani and me, I've decided to try and make our plan of escape.

Too late. "Heyyy girls! Wasn't expecting to see you guys here!" Evelyn snorted, she obviously knew we were here. It's our hang out spot; usually, Evelyn and her posse go to the Tim Horton's down the hill from school. But it seems like today they felt like tormenting us just a tad more. "Why are you even here?" I mumbled, nearly audible to anyone except myself. "WHAT WAS THAT? I THOUGHT I JUST HEARD THE RAT SPEAK!" Joey practically screamed, instead of going through this entire jumble of conflict me and Suhani gave each other looks that to us showed we're going to bolt out of here. So we ran as fast as we could, not caring about the ice cream left on the counter, and just sprinted towards Suhani's car.