Laird’s POVNow Fenella and I were cycling back home. Along the way, Fenella chattered about how nice Adam and his family were to us. Also about how we played games such as soccer and dancing games with excitement."Laird, you said you have a soccer game, right?" Fenella, who was cycling next to me, asked again."Yes, I do, but I rarely play it," I replied softly.“In that case, may I borrow it? I want to practice so I won't keep losing to Adam."Once again, she came up with a foolish idea. I glanced briefly, with a furrowed brow, at Fenella."Why are you so eager to beat Adam?""No, I just want to at least be able to match him in a soccer game. You know, I want to be a fun friend to play games with. Playing games seems more exciting if you have an evenly matched opponent."Hearing that, I laughed again."So, you just realized you're not fun to play with?" I teased her again. "I even got bored accompanying you in the dancing game. It's good that you want to learn. You should also prac
Laird’s POVJosh just looked confused, while Fenella smiled broadly and cheered happily."Wow, you're so lucky! Just a little late, and you would've missed out."Once again, I knew she was just cheering herself up. She also considered it a marketing tactic so that customers wouldn't regret buying her goods and would try to buy faster next time. I've watched her sell three times already, and her words are almost always the same at the end of the game."Laird?" Josh looked at me, seemingly surprised.I whispered quietly to Josh, "I'll pay you back later. Just consider it a treat for Sam."Hearing that, Josh smiled after understanding something. He nodded with a gleeful chuckle and took out his wallet, paying for all of her goods until they were sold out."Thank you, handsome and cool big brother. Thank you, Brad. Thank you, Laird," the girl exclaimed joyfully as she received Josh's money.Fenella handed each of us a hotdog, a pack of crackers, and several small drink bottles soaked in m
Laird’s POVToday is the last Saturday of September. The practice match with the opposing team from Rhode Island just finished at 11 o'clock. The match was delayed for an hour due to rain in the morning until 9 a.m.I had changed my clothes before heading home. Of course, I wouldn't be able to go home with wet and dirty clothes because of the mud. Plus, because earlier I did a slide to reach the base, almost all of my blue and white uniform was covered in brown stains.I entered my house carrying a bag containing dirty clothes and shoes. I stepped into the laundry room and took out my dirty clothes and shoes from the bag. Aunt Myers would probably complain again when she saw these. Therefore, I decided to rinse them with water for a while before she came.I turned on the water from the faucet to the bucket containing my clothes. My gaze was blankly focused on the strong stream of water. I swallowed nervously.How could I not? Our team lost again, for the fourth time! The coach was di
Laird’s POV"Why do you act like this again? Why are you still angry? Come on, don't be angry anymore.” She held her breath while persuading me.“I’m not angry at all.” It was a lie, and she knew it.“Accompany me to the toy store to buy a game. Besides, fresh air would be effective in dispelling bad moods. Didn't the Boston team lose the match earlier, too?” She asked, like she knew everything.“Just go away, Fenella.” I tried to close the door one more time, but she pushed it anyway with her strength.“Wait! Going to the toy store might cheer you up. Maybe you'll find a fun game to play later."With enthusiasm, Fenella persuaded me at length. Even I thought she would run out of breath from talking so much."Go to the store by yourself. Aunt Myers and my mom are out, so there's no one at home except me, Lloyd, and dad. I'm exhausted."I tried to dismiss her, but her hands insisted on pushing the door."You have to accompany me, Laird. Today is Adam's birthday, so I have to give him h
Laird’s POVI arrived at the bus stop in front of Samantha's house. As I passed by, I saw Josh and Samantha just coming out of the house. As soon as they saw me, they waved and greeted me. Josh seemed particularly excited."Hey, Laird! Are you okay?" That was the first question Josh asked me."Hey, Josh, Sam. Not bad," I said, stopping my bike by the roadside without getting off."Hey, I'm sorry to hear about your game this morning," Sam approached me together with Josh."Yeah, it's okay. I'm still confident we'll win next week," I said confidently, contrary to my unenthusiastic gestures."Good if you're still spirited. The winter season games will be tougher," Josh nodded."Yeah, I understand." I accepted the advice from our team's supporters graciously."Did you happen to see Fenella pass by here, Josh?" I asked Josh."Fenella? I don't know; I just got here too. Maybe you saw her?" he asked Sam."Who's Fenella?" Sam asked, confused."Oh yeah, you've never come to the field, so you w
Fenella’s POVI climbed onto my bike and immediately pedaled as fast as I could. I never expected Laird to be so mean and cruel to me. What did I do wrong? I tried to find the reason several times, but the more I did, the less I knew.He was such an annoying jerk! That arrogant boy should have drowned his head in a pool of ice water!That actually made me sad. Since we're in fourth grade, I've felt Laird's attitude toward me has changed drastically.From childhood until kindergarten, Laird has always been kind and attentive. He always obeyed me and accompanied me wherever I wanted. He even admitted that he preferred playing with me over Lloyd, his own brother.So what has changed now? It was as if she no longer wanted to be friends with me and preferred to be friends with the boys.Now he's so harsh and grumpy. He doesn't want to play with me anymore; he even ignored me as if I were nothing for a whole week. Just because I said I didn't want to watch the baseball game?Fine, I underst
Fenella’s POV"What? Why?"I was confused when he handed the gift back to me."I'm pleased with your gift, but I think it's too expensive for a regular gift. I feel guilty for burdening you." Adam explained it to me with a sad smile."I'm okay, really. I sincerely wanted to give it to you." I said it hesitantly because his reaction didn't match my expectations."No, Fenella. I can't accept this gift from you. I don't want you to sacrifice your savings to buy me this expensive gift. I can still ask my dad for it." He looked away from me. "Sorry, Fenella. You should return it to the store and get your money back."Everything around me felt dark. I couldn't think, and it felt like the sky was getting darker. I didn't understand. But it felt like I was just rejected.With tears held back, I bit my lower lip hard. Embarrassed by his rejection, I quickly returned to my bike. I put the gift back in the basket and immediately pedaled my bike away without saying anything else.It felt so embar
Fenella’s POVThe day of elementary school graduation arrived. The students would move on to the junior high school of their choice. The schoolyard buzzed with excitement after the graduation ceremony. We shook hands and congratulated each other.I stood in a corner of the schoolyard. My body leaned against an oak tree as my eyes glanced at Laird, still shaking hands with the boys. We exchanged glances from afar, and I was immediately startled. I turned my back and looked down.No, I still don't think I can forgive myself. I still don't have the courage to face Laird. Even though two years have passed, I still feel haunted by that memory. Truly, I'm just a kid who doesn't understand my own feelings.I sighed and got ready to go home. There's no point in waiting for someone who's ignored me for so long. But as I turned back, I saw Laird walking towards me."Hey, Fenella." He smiled awkwardly with a stiff wave."Oh, hey." I replied awkwardly."How are you?" he asked."Okay, I guess. How