3,000 Miles

Chapter 1

It was dry and cold that November night when we were nine. The leaves almost completely shaken from their branches, creating a crunchy covering on the ground. Wesley waddled his way through my colorful backyard, arms full of gram crackers and chocolate.
"S'mores again?" I groaned. He ignored my protests and sat the snacks next to our fire pit.
"Did you see the new neighbors?" He asked finally.
"No? Where did they move in?"
"Just down the street, I think we should go check them out."
"Wesley, we can't do that, what if they're vampires or witches or something?" I shuttered
"Don't be ridiculous." He laughed already stomping back towards the sidewalk. I rolled my eyes and ran to catch up. As we walked I stared in awe at the tree overhead. In our little town of Savannah there were so any trees that when fall came the leaves covered the whole road and sidewalk. We stopped at the crosswalk and as Wesley pressed the button I continued to watch the last of the leaves fall. A chilly breeze shook me from my daze and made my lungs burn like ice. I snuggled closer into my coat as we ran across the crosswalk.
"There it is." smiled wesley, pointing at a small brick house. There was a big weeping tree in the front yard and a flustered looking boy stood underneath.
"Hey you!" called Wesley to the boy.
"Me?" The boy questioned.
"Yeah you, what's your name."
"Umm..Landon, I'm new." he mumbled shyly.
"I'm Wesley and this is Annabeth.."
"Just Anna" I interrupted.
"Anyways," Wesley continued, "How old are you Landon?" he asked.
"I just turned eight." he said looking at the ground.
He was a shy boy, with light blond hair and piercing blue eyes. He was tall for his age and easily towered over me. Obviously he didn't like meeting new people, unlike Wesley who was the most outgoing person I know.
"Well I'm nine, and I'll be ten in three months." Wesley proclaimed proudly.
"Why do you look so disappointed" I asked concerned about the permanent frown that sat on his lips. He looked up at the tree and furrowed his brow.
"I wanted to make a leaf pile, but all we have are these stupid willow trees and they don't have leaves." He plopped down on a bench under the tree and folded his arms. It was becoming cold and I wanted to go home desperately. That's why I was glad when Ashton invited him back to my house to play. Landon's face suddenly changed and he ran inside to ask his mother. He ran back out with a hat in hand and he pulled it on as we once again crossed the road. Landon and Wesley chatted the whole way home as I loomed behind quietly listening. I could tell even then that they would be bestfriends. When we arrived safely back in my yard Landon marveled at the piles of leaves lying about and quickly began to scoop the large amounts into three piles. He ran and jumped into the piles, laughing as if he'd never seen leaves before. After a while of jumping, scooping, and laughing Wesley suggested we go monster hunting.
"Nope, nope, no. I'm not doing it." I protested.
"Come on Anna, It'll be fun. I'll show you a secret place that nobody in the whole wide world has ever seen, ever!" he said, emphasizing the last 'ever'.
"Ummm it's getting dark, I need to head home." murmured Landon. He waved and ran home before a single accusation could leave Wesley's lips.
"Well, looks like it's just you and me" he smiled. I sighed and followed Wesley through the woods, lead by our flashlight.
"There she is." said Wes proudly. I stumbled over several branches and peered at what Wesley was pointing to. There was a large rock cave covered in moist green moss and vines that slithered up the sides like pythons.
"What is it?" I asked unamused.
"It's my secret monster cave!" Wes shouted in defense, obviously noticing how unappreciative I was of this wet dark cave.
"See?" he asked pointing to the in graving about the cave mouth.
'Wesley's monster hideaway' it read. I stepped up and grabbed a pebble. I reached up and carved my name next to his.
"Whatcha doin?" he asked suspiciously.
"Well, you showed me the cave so now it's our special place." I argued and Wes just shrugged. We entered the cave and I tried to steady the flashlight but the darkness was making me uncomfortable. A hand wrapped around mine and I looked to Wesley.
"It's alright, I promi-" but before he could Finnish I winced in pain as my leg hit something sharp.
"What is it?" asked Wesley. I looked down to see a pointy rock had sliced my leg just below the knee. From what I could see the cut was pretty deep. I searched for the cause of the cut, but only found myself immersed in darkness.
"Come on." Wesley said cooly pulling me over his shoulder. He helped me stumble home and into my bathroom. From there he found the first aid kit and cleaned my cut and bandaged it. I gave my thanks and he skipped home because it was growing gradually darker outside. I stood at my window and watched him gather his snacks and hop the fence. I smiled and my breath fogged up the chilled glass. I rubbed it away and closed the blinds when Wesley was no longer visible. I sat on my bed and admired the picture frame beside my bed. I picked it up and laughed.
"I love you Wesley Ashworth" I whispered. I meant it too, with all of my nine year old heart.