The hardest goodbye and the best greeting is to the only person you love the most.

My bed.

"Natasha get up!" The voice which I have been familiar for 18 years of my life, called out for me.

I vaguely remember coming home. Mom asked me the outcome of the match. I gave her a thumbs-up as a positive answer. I sleep walked all the way to my room.

"See the sun out there! It's so bright",which nearly roasted me yesterday.

"go enjoy the warmth"

My bed is more warm mom.

I grunted in response and held my pillow tight.

Mom continued appreciating the beauty of nature. While I just lay in my bed motionless.

My stomach wasn't in my favour. It roared loud. I am hungry..you better feed me.

All the play I put up yesterday, made me feel so weary now. I need to boost myself. It will do me no good if I lie down the whole day.

No you would love it.

The kitchen was filled with pancake's aroma. Mom noticed my hungry face and served me pancakes with honey.

Thick yet soft honey slid down my throat.

"It's been six months" mom said,"since we shifted in here"

Yeah, six months since I forgot 'loneliness'.

"Mom"I said as I licked the honey off my fingers,"we have just moved a block away"

Even though we were just moving a block away, mom seemed to be oblivious to that. The house was rechecked at least a ten times to see if anything was left behind. A lady who always prepares for the worst, that's my mother.

"I know that" she said. Okay, something's up.

" I want you to clean the store room" great, I'm going to relax the whole day " I want you to arrange all your old books and things. I have to give away the worn out things"

"But mom, I'm tired and I want to relax today" I pleaded.

Nope, mom will never fall for my pleads.

It's your fault too.

My conscience pricked me. I used to play dead and fake falling sick. Just so I could avoid attending school.

Mom folded her arms across her chest and said,"nope,you ain't escaping young lady"

I didn't expect her to either way.

I devoured all the pancakes and headed to my room. My disheveled room. My room wasn't completely unkept. But adjustable.

Mom had instructed me to keep my room neat and tidy. But, how can I when I'm always busy. Busy planning pranks to pull off on friends and teachers.

I heard the door bell ring. I ran down and swung open the door. The sight didn't surprise me.

"Why aren't you surprised?" Jewel said as he welcomed himself in.

"I expected this" I waited for the next expected person to enter.

"You got up early" Mia said as she checked her watch,"and that's surprising."

"Traitorous stomach"

They laughed and settled down on the couch. I always wanted to use the phrase make yourself at home. They never gave me a chance to. They found my home to be more homely.

I knew that jewel ditched school.

"You let Mia tag along?" I asked.

He raised an eyebrow (I never get to do that!) " you think I'll let that creep tag along?"

I knew what was coming next.
"creep? Shut your sorry mouth before I make you go literally bald", Mia threatened.

Mia was a trouble magnet. Jewel a trouble maker. I was glad that they were polar opposites.
They both have been frien-freenemies since they popped out into this funny world. They were a team. They were opponents.

Mia did make Jewel go almost bald. Almost.

They were kids. Kids are innocent little creatures. But, they were reincarnation of devil itself. It was Jewel's eight birthday. He was born blonde. He had soft and silky hair unlike Mia, a frizzy brunette.

She wanted to surprise him. But she terrified him. He woke up with a new hair style. Unkept and uneven strands of hair.

Jewel got annoyed," Dear Mia, I can see your lips moving. But all I hear is 'blah,blah and blah' " he said as he quoted in the air.

Before this became a war I interrupted," I'm not gonna let you guys go on with your puny fights"

They looked at me with an expression, puny?

"I have to clean the store room and you will help me"

They regretted coming over.

They agreed after a deal. I agreed to offer them a whole lot of wall-mart snacks. Only if, they help me clean up properly.

The store room was filled with dusty textbook and notebooks. Novels I was too lazy to complete and math work books, I never knew I had. My baby clothes and photos were all arranged in huge cartoons.

"Look what I found!" Jewel exclaimed,"it's Natasha in ballet!"

I snatched the photograph from his hand. I looked hilarious in the ballet costume. I was a disgrace to ballet so I had to quit.

Jewel and Mia were really cooperative and helpfull. Nope, that would only happen if the world was falling apart.
All they did was, comment on my baby photos and give each other snarky comments.

Now I regretted asking them to help me.

While stacking the old book and boxes my eyes caught something familiar. A box with old memories written over it.

I don't keep memories. I treasure them.

My brain warned me not to open. But, curiosity won.

I hesitated while I opened the box. When I saw the contents, I was dragged down to my memories.

There were pictures of me. The old me. The shy little girl who wasn't a social animal. The girl who never mingled easily. The girl who was left all alone.

I flipped through the pages of my slam book. There were many quotes and pictures. Pictures of me, Saddy and Liam. Holding hands and smiling cheerfully.

A huge wave of nostalgia hit me. I drowned in the ocean of sweet yet bitter memories.

I found myself again with them. Laughing and hanging out. They did. Not me.

The teenage hormones made them miss and like each other. I was just another side actress. Never said them I was feeling lonely. They finally hooked up. In turn, I became the third wheel. Two, a couple. Three, a crowd. Crowds are disturbing.

I was glad Jewel and Mia were out with the cartoon of old books.Since, I was on the verge of breaking down.

Hold your shit together. You can't break down. You have come a long way alone.

I flipped to the last page. I smiled. My best friend. Who was always there for me. I always wondered how all this would have been if he was there. The chubby and sweet Nathen.

Ting tong!

Now who could it be? Mom was off to work and dad wouldn't be back by evening.

Mia and Jewel followed me as I ran to get the door.

I was attacked.

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

Hello guys!

Finally, I present you the second chapter.

How was the chapter? Did you find it interesting?

I ain't very good with words. I know there will be errors. I would be really glad if u point them out.

Do comment! Do vote!😁

Love,
Enchanter1409 ✨