I smile as I come out of the bathroom dressed and ready to go. A smile works its way onto my face. It’s Saturday. It’s been a few months since school began and Autumn and I have gotten into a routine.

Everyday afterschool she comes home with me and we hang out, do our homework, and eat dinner. Then, we take her home. On the weekends I’ll bike over to her house and we spend the whole down around town or at my house, usually meeting up with Cal and Aron at some point. We don’t ever hang out at her house. I’ve never even been inside it. She doesn’t seem to like it there.

“Bye Mom, Dad, I’m going to meet up with Autumn. Love you, bye!” I call over my shoulder, walking towards the front door.

“Be safe.” My dad yells from the living room.

“We love you, honey.” My mom calls.

I pull my bike from its spot beside the porch and hop on it, making my way across town. Autumn lives in the forested area of Hidden Springs where the houses are so small, two could fit into mine. It’s quiet in this area. I’ve seen few adults out and even fewer children. Autumn’s house comes into my view up ahead and I begin to pedal faster.

“Levi!” I hear Autumn’s voice whisper.

“Autumn?” I ask, slamming on my bike brakes and looking around.

After a minute I see her in a bush by the roadside. She looks over her shoulder before turning back to look at me.

“Hey…” She says, looking embarrassed.

“Oh, hey. What were you doing in there?” I ask.

“Uhm…” She begins, stepping out from the bush slowly. There are marks on her face, but I don’t ask her about them.

We hear a door bang open and she whips her head around to her house. Her father storms onto the porch.

“Autumn, where in the nine hells did you go? I wasn’t through with you!” He yells. He sounds angry.

“Come on, let’s go.” Autumn says, looking scared.

She hops onto the bike and pedals quickly off. I turn around and shoot after her as she speeds away. She doesn’t stop until we reach a park on my side of town. With a jump, she’s off her bike and running across the park.

“Autumn!” I call, ditching my bike as well and taking off after her. She doesn’t stop.

I finally reach her as she slows down. Once I’m by her side she grabs my hand and bows her head.

“Autumn, wha-“ I begin to ask. She’s acting so strange.

“Pray with me, Levi.” She huffs through her heavy breathing.

“Okay.” I say. I’ve never prayed before, but if it makes her happy, I’ll do anything. I bow my head like she does and close my eyes, keeping our hands together.

“Dear gnome, make me a bird so I can fly far, far away.” She whispers over and over again.

I frown at her words. Why would she want to fly far away, I wonder. Instead of asking I just stay quiet and keep my eyes closed like Autumn is. After a little while she stops and looks up, taking a deep breath.

“Thank you.” She says, turning to me.

I only notice our hands are still together when she drops them and cool air hits my skin where her hand had been. She leans over and kisses my cheek. I blush and smile.

“You’re welcome.” I mutter, smiling back at her. After a moment I get my thoughts together again and remember why today was such a good day. Autumn, Cal, and Aron were coming over for a slumber party at my house for her birthday.

“What?” She asks, seeing my smile.

“Happy Birthday!” I exclaim. “Let’s go get Cal and Aron and head to my house!”

“Okay,” She smiles at me, “Let’s go.”