Yuna sat staring blankly at the wall, trying not to cry. It was her birthday, but her parents were still not home. They had promised to return from their trip in time to celebrate, but there had been no sign of them all day.
Blowing out the single candle on the small cake her grandmother had baked, Yuna made a wish that she didn't even believe in anymore - that her mom and dad would remember her special day. After eating dinner with her grandmother in silence, she retreated to her room.
As the sky outside turned dark, Yuna couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She muffled her sobs in her pillow, heart aching with loneliness. Why didn't her parents care enough to be here?
A gentle tapping at the window made Yuna lift her head. Peering out, she saw her best friend Nick perched on the tree branch stretching toward her room.
"Can I come in?" he asked with a sympathetic smile. Yuna nodded and stepped back to let him climb inside.
"I'm sorry your parents aren't home yet," Nick said softly, sitting down on the bed beside her. "But I have something for you. Close your eyes."
Yuna obeyed and felt him press a small box into her hands. Opening her eyes, she gasped - it was the sparkly butterfly hair clip she had admired at the store!
"Nick, you shouldn't have..." she started, but he shushed her protest.
"I know it's been a sad birthday. But you deserve to have something special," he said. Fresh tears welled up in Yuna's eyes, but this time from being deeply touched.
Nick stayed for a while, talking to distract her from the disappointment of the day. Before climbing back out the window, he wrapped Yuna in a gentle hug.
"Thanks for making me feel better," she whispered. Nick just smiled, glad he could be there for her when she needed him most.
Over the next few years, Nick continued providing comfort and support as Yuna's parents neglected her more after the birth of her baby sister. He became her refuge, showing compassion she found nowhere else.
When Yuna's mother forgot her 12th birthday after promising a special celebration, Nick snuck over with cupcakes and small gifts to lift her wounded spirit. And when her parents argued constantly about money, ignoring Yuna's feelings, Nick was there with advice and encouragement.
During stressful times, they would escape together to their favorite hideout in the nearby woods. Curled up talking under the trees, Yuna felt all her loneliness and anxiety fade away in Nick's comforting presence.
Nick soon came to realize his feelings for Yuna ran deeper than friendship. Seeing the immense pain her family's neglect caused her, his compassion often transformed into protectiveness, even jealousy when other boys paid Yuna attention.
But for now, Nick focused on being the loyal, caring companion Yuna could turn to. He dried her tears when the world felt cruel and cold. His friendship was a ray of light guiding her through the darkest days - the unwavering support of someone who loved her deeply.