Chapter 3

I took a stroll along the sidewalk of Heart Lane on my way home from school. I whistled the whole journey, in a way of expressing my joy without the disturbance and annoyance from Sarah. It’s like the summer holidays have arrived. The cloud looks bright, the wind was blowing my way and the birds were chirping away. Life was stunning.

I passed by Sarah’s house. It was empty now. It’s been a day since she had left. Oh boy, have I ever tasted freedom as sweet as this. Ha ha. I stared at the garden outside where we would use to play hide and seek. The green green grass providing us the comfort of running around without worries of falling down and injuring ourselves. The open, free space where we would often spend our time together under the rising moon.

“You’ll never catch me, Kevin…” Sarah shouted.

“Wait till I get hold of you, you brat!” I spoke, breathless.

I pretended of suffering from asthma and fell down to the ground. Attracting her attention so she would come nearer. I put on a great show, fooling her completely.

“What’s wrong? Kevin?” Sarah was worried now.

“Argh…” And then I tried my best to breathe like I was in my deathbed.

Just a few steps closer. A few more steps… When her legs moved within hands reach, I grabbed her leg, frightening her for a moment. She shrieked for a while, unable to adapt to the changes yet.

“Got ya…” I smiled cheekily.

“You… Evil…” Before ending that sentence, she chased me down the street, caught me and gave me a hard pinch on the arm. It hurt, but that’s what you get when you mess around with Sarah.

When we were tired, we just laid down on the grass, staring up at the darkening sky. It was, somewhat comfortable…

A gust of cold breeze woke me up from my daydream. I smacked myself in the face, smiling for a moment. Why am I thinking of this now? Gotta get home and finish my homework. I walked back into my house without giving Sarah’s house another glance. She’s just been away for a day. She’ll be back soon. Better enjoy what I have for the time being.


I let out a sigh of relief. I’ve finished my homework. I’m free… I closed my book, shoved my pencil back into the pencil case and decided to head for bed. I had been rather tired that day and decided to turn off the lightings with my eraser. The switch had been a bit lose, the slightest impact would trigger it and switch it off. I played my chances, aimed and fired my eraser.

One shot was all it took to change the once bright-litted room into darkness where monsters such as the Boogie Man were told to roam around. At 8 years old, I’ve never believed in such meaningless and unproven things. Maybe it’s the scientific mind that I inherited from my dad.

After flipping around on the bed for a few minutes, it wasn’t hard to tell that I couldn’t sleep yet. I stared up at the ceiling. Staring aimlessly, hoping for something exciting to happen. An explosion, fireworks, nuclear war, anything… I was bored.

I had an idea, I slid open my window, took the small rounded stones that I had gathered and threw towards Sarah’s window. After wasting four to five stones, I remembered that she wasn’t there anymore. Well, not for a few days, at least.

I looked up in the sky. The stars were blinking exceptionally bright and the moon was as round as possible. Yet again, I found myself looking towards the moon, looking for a reason of the feeling that I was getting then.


I can’t believe Sarah forced me to help her pack her clothings. The first step I took into the room, I almost fell because of the piling amount of clothes lying on the floor. Apparently, she had trouble picking clothes to bring and decided to ask me for my opinion. Girls are such a fuss. I said beautiful to everything dress and blouse she pointed to me. I just wanted everything to finish fast so I could go back home.

After three hours of packing, me and Mum were standing outside on the garden, spending the last few minutes with Sarah’s family before they left. Sarah was sitting at the back seat of the black SUV. Obviously, her Mum had disapproved of her sitting on the front seat knowing her attitude. Smart move, Miss Connor.

Both our parents were exchanging their last few words. Me and Sarah were exchanging comments and orders to each other.

“While I’m gone, take care…” Sarah spoke to me nicely.

“While you’re there, get me a souvenir…” I replied.

“Remember to take vegetables.”

“Remember, souvenir…”

“Hey, help me make sure that no animals shit in our garden.”

“Souvenir, important.”

“I’ll get you your freaking souvenir!” Sarah had been annoyed. Nice move, Kevin. I make myself proud at times.

“Then, I’ll do everything that you had just listed.” I smiled, crossing fingers behind my back.

“Hey Kevin, you sure you do not want to join us?” offered Mr Connor once again.

I sincerely shook my head in disagreement, smiling, thinking that I’d only go if I have a death wish. I can’t imagine the torture I’d get from Sarah if I’m going with them. I’m not risking anything. I value my life more than anything.

I enjoyed the second the SUV accelerated and within seconds had removed themselves out of my sight. I am FREE! I’ll never miss her… Ha ha.


Well, that’s not how it is now. Haiz. Maybe it would be a bit torturing if she had been here, but she also brings joy and entertainment. She’s always there when you needed a friend. At least for me. It’s like buying a house, where it brings you comfort but could be the primary target of burglars. Everything has its pros and cons. So does Sarah. But she makes a great company.

I hate to admit it. I really hate to.

But I sure wished she was here right this moment.