Dear Diary,

Despite popular belief, my childhood wasn't completely miserable. There was at least one person who made it better...

Eleanora Brown. She and her dad had moved to Ashland from San Diego two weeks before I lay my eyes on them. Her father wanted to stay in a beautiful, storybook-like town while he began writing his next book.

I looked out my window as they dragged suitcases and furniture out of their U-Haul to their new home. From the outside, their house did not differ from any of the other houses on our block; the only thing that set it apart was the gigantic tree in the backyard, which the neighborhood children often gathered around and played on.

I watched Eleanora each day for the following week, sitting on their porch and playing with her dolls. She would chat away with them for hours, spinning them in her hands and making them dance around her. Only when her dad called her back inside would she put down the dolls and go in.

I couldn't help but smile as I watched her from my bedroom window, wishing I could be out there playing with her.

It was a few days before my twelfth birthday when I finally got to meet the girl I had been spying on for the past fortnight. When she noticed me, I quickly dropped to the ground beneath the windowsill, embarrassed at being caught watching her play with her dolls. After taking a couple of minutes to gather the courage, I cautiously peeked out again.

To my surprise, she was still looking at me with an excited, goofy grin and waving her dolls around in invitation. I sank back down, considering my options. No one had ever approached me and asked me to join them before. Everyone knew I was the weird girl, not worthy of socializing with. If I accepted, what if she just ditched me as soon as she realized how strange and awkward I am?

I had spent an unknown amount of time sitting on the floor questioning myself before I heard a light rap at the door. Father had always warned me never to open it for anyone, and I was terrified of what would happen if he found out I did. There was another knock, this time louder; I slowly stood up and made my way to the door. I glanced through the peephole and let out a shriek when I saw Eleanora from across the street, waiting on my doorstep. Not knowing what else to do, I silently prayed to whatever god was above that my father wouldn't find out that I was about to disobey him.

"H-Hi," I mumbled as I opened up the door a crack.

Eleanora smiled warmly at me and extended her hand. "Hi! I'm Eleanora. You seemed to be lonely up there. Would you like to come over and play? My Dad already said it was okay." Her voice was high-pitched but friendly.

"No, I-I c-can't," I muttered, my gaze fixed on the ground as I pretended to kick at the invisible dirt that sat beneath my feet, avoiding her outstretched hand.

"Why don't you want to come out? Is your mom or dad home? Maybe you can come over and hang out. Ask them. It'll be fun!" She smiled brightly.

I looked up and into her hazel eyes. She was the first person to ever suggest going out together. I knew the consequences I'd face if he found out, but in that moment, all I wanted was to be like everyone else.

"Actually, it sh-should be okay. Just as long as I'm h-home before nightfall." Eleanora grinned and tugged on my arm, practically dragging me back to her porch.

"Hey," she said, bending down to pick up a couple of dolls from the ground, "you haven't told me your name yet."

"Vera... my name is Vera."