"Catch me if you can!" Yuna shouted gleefully, her pigtails flying as she raced through the backyard. Her neighbor and best friend Nick laughed and chased after her under the warm summer sun. At only 5 years old, the two were already inseparable.
From his chair on the porch, Nick's father smiled as he watched the children play. He was grateful his son had befriended the sweet girl next door. Though Nick came from a comfortable home with two loving parents, Yuna's family struggled to make ends meet. Her parents often left Yuna and her elderly grandmother alone while they worked, unable to give her much attention.
Nick seemed to understand how lonely Yuna felt. Whenever they played together, he made sure to include her in deciding what games to play. He went out of his way to make her smile and laugh, which came easily when they were together. Nick treated Yuna like the little sister he never had, looking after her and keeping her safe from harm.
When they started primary school, Nick took it upon himself to protect Yuna from the bullies who teased her for being a little slow with her lessons. Her secondhand uniform and simple homemade lunches made her an easy target for cruel taunts. But with Nick by her side, glaring and scuffing his shoes threateningly, the bullies stayed away.
At lunchtime, Nick would proudly share his colorful packaged snacks and treats from home after Yuna shyly unwrapped the plain rice and lentils her grandmother had packed. And when Yuna would cry after getting scolded by the teacher for not finishing her worksheets fast enough, Nick would be there to wipe away her tears. He would tell her not to listen to anyone who made her feel bad about herself.
While Yuna struggled with her studies, Nick blossomed into one of the top students, excelling in every subject. But he never made Yuna feel stupid or embarrassed for not keeping up with lessons. Patiently, he helped her study after school, explaining concepts in creative ways her young mind could grasp.
Seeing Yuna's smile whenever she succeeded on an assignment thanks to Nick's patient help filled him with deep satisfaction. He was proud of his own academic achievements, but Yuna's happiness and self-confidence mattered far more to him.
After school, they often did their homework sprawled across the living room floor at Nick's house. His mother always made sure to set an extra place for Yuna at dinner, having come to love and care for the sweet girl like her own daughter.
Later in the evenings, Yuna would curl up on the couch next to Nick watching TV, comforted by the warmth and laughter only a real family could provide. He made her feel cared for, keeping the loneliness she often felt at home from creeping in. Their childhood friendship was only just beginning, but already their bond ran deeper than either child yet realized.