P.O.V. - ADDISON
Since I was a kid, summer has been my favorite time of the year. Families gather on beaches for the lovely sea and sun. Kids eat ice cream they could buy from a food truck. Memories were always cherished at this time of the year.

But then, I lived in the city. The bustling metropolis. Traffic noises and car horns. As their feet hit the ground, people walk through the streets. It was all too distracting for me to write my diary entry before I left. On a sunny day like this, I've always admired the white, puffy clouds in the sky.

As I sat by my window, lost in thought, something distracted me when I heard a knock on the door. It was only my mother; she agreed to let me go on a trip by myself.

"Are you all packed up, Addison?" she inquired.

"Yes, mom. It's only for six weeks in Summerfield, then I go home," I answered.

"Yes, dear," she said with a small laugh. "Are you certain you don't want to stay here, where you'll have access to the Internet all day?"

"Mom!" I smugly exclaimed.

"I'm kidding," she explained.

I continued to talk with Mom while cleaning my study table and putting the papers in a drawer. I even double-checked my luggage too.

"It's been a long time since I first met him," I admitted, smiling.

"The boy from the countryside?" Mom inquired. As a response, I nodded.

"What's his full name again? It's been so long since you mentioned him," my mom asked.

"Mark Thomas Garcia," I said softly, feeling a warmth spread through me at the sound of his name. "Come to think of it, it's been nine years since we last met."

Mom nodded knowingly. "Yes, I remember the time you introduced him when you were kids. He was always full of energy!"

"I always wondered what happened to him," I admitted. "He sometimes wrote me those letters about his life in Summerfield. I can't wait to see him again, to see how much he's changed."

"Has he been expecting you lately?" she asked.

"We've been writing back and forth for the past few months," I explained. "He knows I'm coming, and he's as excited as I am."

"That sounds wonderful, Addison," Mom said, her face softening with a motherly smile. "Just remember to be safe and have fun. And if you have any troubles, his parents will be able to help you."

"I will, Mom," I promised, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'll also keep you updated on everything."

She reached out and squeezed my hand. "I'm going to miss you, but I'm so proud of you for taking this trip on your own."

"Thanks, Mom," I said, my heart swelling with gratitude. "I'll miss you too." With one last hug, I grabbed my luggage and made my way to the door.

"Goodbye, mother," I said as I hugged her one final time.

"Goodbye! Have a great trip, dear!" she said in response. We parted ways, and I waved my hand goodbye. As I walked down the stairs, I heard the door close behind me.

When I got to the train station, I sat down on a nearby seat and waited for the train. I held on to my ticket and my bags. A few minutes later, the train made a noise that told me it was time to get up.

"All aboard! Passengers going to Summerfield, all aboard!" exclaimed the conductor. Then, the crowd of passengers slowly boarded the train. I found a seat closest to the window and settled in, my thoughts racing.

"I'm curious how he's doing," I wondered, the question lingering in the air. I put on my headphones and leaned against the window, the rhythmic clatter of the train soothing my nerves.

The train let out a low whistle, signaling its imminent departure. The remaining passengers hurried to find their seats, and the conductor made his final checks along the platform.

As the train slowly pulled away, the view of the station began to blur away. The cityscape was gradually being replaced by the greenery of the outskirts. Suddenly, the world transformed into a blur of colors as we picked up speed.

The trip was just the beginning, and I was determined to make the most of every moment. With a final glance out the window, I closed my eyes and let the hum of the train lull me into a peaceful doze, dreams of summer days and cherished memories dancing in my mind.

He had to have changed, right?

🌻

P.O.V. - MARK
I stood at the edge of the old, small train station in Summerfield, staring down the empty tracks that stretched out towards the horizon. The wooden platform creaked under my feet, and the distant hum of cicadas filled the air.

My thoughts drifted aimlessly as I kicked at the loose gravel beneath me, trying to pass the time.

Dennis, on the other hand, couldn't keep still. He kept looking out at the fields, the golden stalks of wheat swaying gently in the summer breeze. Sweat dripped down his brow, and he wiped it away with the back of his hand. The relentless heat was starting to get to him.

I looked at the fields again when, suddenly, a sharp pain hit me in the back. I grunted, spinning around to see Dennis grinning mischievously. He had thrown a pebble at me.

"Hey, what was that for?" I snapped, rubbing the sore spot.

Dennis just shrugged, his grin widening. "Just trying to get your attention. You were spacing out. Again."

"Addison is arriving shortly, and she isn't expecting to see two guys fighting like kids," I said, brushing the dirt off my clothes.

Dennis let out a big sigh, leaning against the wooden bench. "You only say that because we've been waiting here for hours!"

I felt my annoyance rising. "It's been five minutes, you dummy."

"Well, it feels like hours to me!" he exclaimed, raising his hands in exasperation. We stood in awkward silence for a moment, the air thick with heat and tension, until he finally spoke up.

"Um, Mark? When is she going to arrive?"

I sighed, feeling the weight of his impatience. "I don't know, Dennis."

I looked down at the rails, then I looked at the town from afar. "But as my father always says, 'Life is faster than today's speeds.' No wonder my father loves that quote," I added, trying to shift my thoughts away from the endless waiting.

"I'm not going to lie; your father is a wise old man," Dennis said. I just smiled and kept on waiting.

While waiting for the train, minutes turned into hours. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the tracks. I kept my eyes on the horizon, watching for any sign of the approaching train.

Dennis shuffled his feet, the wooden platform creaking beneath him. "Do you think she'll remember us? It's been a while since she last visited," he said.

I turned to him, noticing the confusion in his eyes. "Of course she will! Addison's not the type to forget her friends. Besides, we've kept in touch."

Dennis nodded, but I could tell he was still uneasy. "I mean, letters are still a common way of communication in this town. I guess I'm just overthinking it."

A distant rumble caught our attention. I squinted, trying to make out the shape in the distance. "I think that's her train!" I said, feeling a mix of excitement and relief.

Dennis stood up straighter, his nervous energy now focused on the approaching train. "Finally," he muttered under his breath.

As the train drew closer, the whistle sounded, filling the air with a sharp, nostalgic note. I glanced at Dennis, who was fidgeting again. "Relax! Just be yourself. She's our friend, Dennis."

He took a deep breath and nodded. "Got it."

The train pulled into the station with a screech of metal on metal, and the doors opened. Passengers began to disembark, and I scanned the crowd, searching for Addison.

There she was, stepping off the train with a smile that seemed to brighten the entire station. Her eyes lit up when she saw us, and she waved enthusiastically.

🌻

P.O.V. - ADDISON
I was always told that Summerfield was a popular tourist destination during this time. The station was bustling with tourists, their excited chatter filling the air. I looked around, hoping to spot my friend among the crowd.

Then, I saw two boys with familiar expressions. Recognizing one of them right away, I dashed towards them.

"Mark!" I called out, my voice filled with excitement.

"Addison!" Mark responded, his eyes widening in surprise before a broad smile spread across his face.

"It's really you!" I exclaimed, feeling a rush of joy as I reached him. We stood there for a moment, taking in the reality of the reunion.

We exchanged happy embraces after staring at each other. As we met up, I enveloped us in a tight hug. "It's so good to see you guys," I said, her voice filled with genuine joy.

"Likewise," said Mark.

"Actually, I don't understand how it took you ten years to come back here," Dennis said, shaking his head.

I smiled and rolled my eyes. "I came here on my own choice, and Mom told me it was fine."

"Well, let's go to my house, shall we?" Mark said, wrapping my arms around Dennis and Addison.

"I'll pass. I need to go home, so I'll see you soon!" Dennis spoke, waving his hand goodbye before heading out of the station.

We watched him go, the evening light casting a shadow behind him. I sighed. "It's been too long, Mark."

He nodded, walking us toward the path that led to his house. "Yeah, it has. A lot's changed, but some things never do."

As we walked, the familiar sights and sounds of Summerfield surrounded us. The cicadas still hummed their summer song, and the fields stretched out, golden and endless.

I looked around, taking it all in. "I missed this place. It's like stepping back in time." He just nodded and continued to listen to my ramblings.

Then we finally reached his house, and Mark opened the gate, letting me in. "Welcome back," I said with a grin.

I chuckled, finding the greeting warm and comforting. "Thanks, Mark. It's good to be home."

Suddenly, his parents greeted me as if I were a regular visitor. Our families had known each other for years, and their hospitality made me feel right at home.

During dinner, Mrs. Garcia asked, "How was the boarding school in the city? It must be a noisy place to live."

"Oh, everything was busy!" I sighed. "Thank goodness I have six weeks left because I need a well-deserved break!"

Mr. Garcia, with his kind eyes and reassuring presence, nodded thoughtfully. "Well, I hope Summerfield can help you relax," he said. "You might be interested in the festival next week."

Now, that sounded interesting! The idea of a festival filled with music, food, and laughter was exactly what I needed.

After dinner, I needed to take a quick bath and change into my night clothes. I slipped into a comfortable pair of pajamas and made my way back to the living room.

Mark and I played a bit of Scrabble because we were bored. Eventually, we both grew tired, and it was time to head to bed.

"Good night, Addison," Mark said as he headed to his room.

"Good night, Mark," I said. As I settled into the guest room, the events of the day replayed in my mind. The exciting part begins tomorrow, so a good night's sleep was required.

I drifted off to sleep with a smile, ready to embrace whatever the next morning would bring.