I remember the first day we met. My knobby knees were grounded into the narrow park walkway, supporting my small structure as I leaned into a puddle of water. I breathed in the smell of pine trees and sighed. The park has always been a place I could just, think. I stared down at my reflection, grabbing my hair. I remember wondering why my father would curse me with such unruly red hair. I'd contemplated cutting it, but I'd never gotten up the nerve to do so. I thought about the games of chicken I'd play, placing the scissors far enough around my hair as I could without cutting it.

I was still deep into thought when a pair of red boots (I remember the exact color) crept up to the puddle. Before I had time to react, they disappeared from my view temporarily and landed smack into the middle of the water. My mouth went slack after water was sprayed all over my body.

The boy's loose curls bouced on his forehead as he laughed.

"Oh no, I messed with the lion. Please don't hurt me!" He teased, jumping into the grass. I growled like the lions I had seen on t.v. and slowly inched toward him. His eyes widened in fear as he began running away. I caught up to him quickly.

"You shouldn't have messed with me!" I shouted and pounced. I couldn't have been more than 4 feet, but we both tumbled to the ground by my force. We lied down on our backs laughing loudly.

We'd become inseparable from that moment on. Even now, he see's my worst side and also my most sensitive. I'd never ask for a better best friend.