8 years old

"Joshua!" Tyler squealed, happy giggles ringing out.

Josh grinned as his fingers danced across Tyler's ribs, leaving the boy a laughing mess. They rested on Josh's dark red bedsheets that were once neat but now hung halfway off the bed.

"It tickles! Stop!"

Josh stopped, but he attacked Tyler in a bear hug. Tyler groaned and wheezed as Josh rolled them back and forth, squeezing Tyler in a death grip.

"Can't breathe!" Tyler choked out, finally laughing when Josh released him.

"Joshua!" The boys heard Josh's mom call up to them.

The two of them raced downstairs, the sounds of their feet pitter-pattering ringing throughout the house. Josh let Tyler beat him.

"What is it mommy?" Josh asked as him and Tyler plopped themselves down on the leather couch.

"It's time for Tyler to go home."

The boys gasped and stared at each other wide-eyed. They weren't ready for Tyler to leave yet.

"Whys he gotta go home right now, mommy?" Josh whined.

"Because Melanie is coming over with her mom!" Josh's mom explained, smiling at the two boys.

"But why can't Tyler stay and we can all play?"

"Josh, honey, you two spend so much time together. You need to have other friends, too."

The boys frowned. They didn't understand what was wrong with only being each other's friends. They were perfectly happy with only each other.

"I don't need another friend," Josh argued.

Tyler was happy that Josh was defending him, but he didn't expect it when Josh's mom raised her voice at him.

"Joshua William Dun! It's not going to kill you to be away from Tyler for one day!" His mom yelled, making Tyler flinch.

"Mama, don't yell! Tyler doesn't like it!"

Josh's mom blew out a sigh. "I'm sorry, but you're being ridiculous. It's only one day. It's only a few hours. It won't hurt."

"Fine," Josh mumbled, making Tyler's heart sink.

"But Joshie..." Tyler whined, quiet so Josh's mom wouldn't hear him.

"It's okay T," Josh said quietly. "I'll miss you the whole time."

"What if you like her more than me?"

"I would never!" Josh frowned, hurt that Tyler would even think that.

"You're my best friend. I couldn't ever like anyone more," He explained.

"Okay," Tyler said hesitantly.

"I promise," Josh added. "Do you know what the word faithful means?"

Tyler shook his head.

"It means... Forever. My mama said she's faithful to dad so she'll be with him forever. I'm faithful to you so I'll be your best friend forever!"

Tyler's lips curled up in a small grin. "You really mean it?"

"Course I do, T. I promise, remember?"

"Okay," Tyler said, more convinced this time.

"And I'll see you at school tomorrow and we'll still be best friends."

"Okay," Tyler repeated.

"Are you boys ready then?" His mom asked.

The two nodded as they stood up. Tyler followed Josh out to his mom's SUV and they piled in the backseat. Tyler sat in his purple booster seat next to Josh's camouflage one. They played "ISpy" the whole way back to Tyler's house.

Josh's mom let Josh walk Tyler to his front door once they arrived at his house.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Josh promised.

Tyler nodded and pulled the taller boy in for a hug. Josh wrapped his arms around Tyler's small frame and picked the boy up as they hugged. Tyler let out a groan from how tightly Josh was squeezing him.

"Josh!" Tyler giggled, a big smile on his lips when he was set back down.

"I wish I could play with you instead of Melanie. I don't like girls," Josh frowned.

"Me either. They're weird."

The two shared a giggle before Tyler hugged Josh again.

"Bye, Joshie."

"Bye, T."

Josh ran back to the SUV and hopped in. He rolled his window down to wave to Tyler before his mom drove away. Tyler walked inside, still smiling.

"Faithful," Tyler spoke slowly, testing out the new word Josh taught him.

"Faithful," He repeated.

Tyler liked how smart he sounded when he said it. He was glad his friend was not only smart, but faithful too.