Kai’s eyes bulge, and he wraps his arm around her neck to give her a noogie while she squirms and laughs to get away. I can’t help but laugh at the scene in front of me.

“I’d love to be your friend, Kylie. And you know what? My friends call me Liv or Livvy so you can too.” She flashes a wide gap-toothed smile at me before grabbing Kai’s hand again and dragging him toward their house.

“Okay. Bye, Livvy!” she shouts excitedly.

Kai turns to me, stopping her progress. “See you around, Olivia. Next time, try not to aim your ball for my head though.”

“No promises, but didn’t you hear me when I said my friends call me Liv or Livvy? You don’t have to keep calling me Olivia.” I mean, I hope he wants to be friends or I might just die from embarrassment.

His lips turn up in a sly grin, like he’s the only one in on the joke. I just better not be the punchline. “I heard you. We’re friends now.” He leans in a little so only I can hear him. “But I don’t wanna be like everyone else.” I’m left standing there, mouth wide open before he throws a “Bye Olivia” over his shoulder and heads into his house.

I think I might like this city after all.

Kai

Twelve Years Old

“This is crazy. I can’t have you beating me like this in my own house.” I lightly push her and she falls over on the side of the couch, laughing.

Since that day in her front yard, Olivia and I have spent every day together. When I’m not with her while she’s practicing, she’s over at my house hanging out.

She’s the best friend I’ve ever had.

“Get on my level and maybe you’d win once in a while,” she teases. We’ve been playing Super Smash Bros Melee for the last hour, and she’s beat me almost every time.

“Nah, let’s turn on items. I’m done playing with you.”

She shrieks. “No! We’re not turning on items. That’s so dumb.”

“You scared?”

There goes that eye roll she’s always throwing my way. “No, you’re the one who’s scared since you wanna turn on items.”

“Pick up the sticks, Olivia.”

She blows out a harsh breath and picks up the GameCube controller. I asked my mom to get me a purple one just for her to use since it’s her favorite color.

I make my character selection and wait for her to pick Samus like she always does. “Jigglypuff? Since when do you play with Jigglypuff?” I’ve been playing with Link this whole time, but I’m tired of her talking crap so I’m ready for her.

“Don’t worry about me, just pick your player.”

She mumbles something under her breath about me being a fool before she makes her selection and the game starts.