"are you, like, a goodie-two-shoes?" he asked jokingly when she wouldn't climb up the tree with him.

"i don't climb trees or take risks. that doesn't necessarily mean i'm a goodie-two-shoes. just because you climb trees, destroy public property, bang girls, cuss like a sailor, and get into stupid fights doesn't mean you're a bad boy." she replied.

he bitterly laughed, "even if i'm not a bad boy, i'm still a monster."

he remembered her words.

"you're not a monster. whoever told you that was exaggerating." she said struggling to grab onto a branch.

he watched her.

"besides," she huffed, "no monster could ever feel emotion like you do. they wouldn't be able to feel guilt, happiness, joy, love, like you do. you're not a monster or a bad boy. you're a human being."

she tugged onto the branch opposite of him and awkwardly sat on it after pulling her weight up.

"everyone has flaws. some hide it better than others, but i find the people who are honest in their flaws to be beautiful." she smiled at him.

he just stared at her wondering how lucky he was to have a friend with such a warm heart.