The summer afternoon cast a golden glow over the small playground. Children's laughter rang out, mingling with the rhythmic squeak of swings and the occasional scrape of sneakers on gravel. Kids darted around in bursts of energy—playing tag, climbing jungle gyms, and racing each other across the grassy field.
But one girl sat apart from the fun, perched on the edge of a slide. Her notebook rested on her knees, and she sketched with a seriousness far beyond her years. Lily's brow furrowed as her pencil darted across the page, creating shapes only she could fully understand. Yet, every so often, her gaze drifted toward the other kids. Their carefree shouts and easy camaraderie made her chest ache.
"Why don't I have friends?" young Lily whispered to herself, staring at the ground. "Mama says I'll find friends eventually. But I want them now. I just... I don't want to get hurt."
Her throat tightened as tears welled in her eyes. She sniffled, wiping them away before they could fall, determined not to cry. Closing her notebook with trembling hands, she stood to leave, her small shoulders weighed down by loneliness.
Just as she turned to walk away, a boy came hurtling down the slide.
"Wheeeeee!" he yelled, his arms flailing. Before either of them could react, he crashed into her with a loud thud.
Lily staggered, clutching her notebook, while the boy tumbled onto the ground with a groan.
"Hehe," the boy laughed through his wince, holding his side. "That was close! I could've died! But look, I'm still here. Hahaha!" He looked up at Lily, his face breaking into a sheepish grin. "Sorry about that. You okay?"
Lily didn't respond.
Panicked, the boy scrambled to his feet and hurried over. "Hey, are you hurt? I didn't mean to—"
Before he could finish, Lily swung her tiny fist and punched him square in the groin.
The boy crumpled to the ground, his hands clutching his stomach as he wheezed, "What was that for?!"
Lily's tears spilled over as she shouted, "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?"
The boy blinked at her, stunned. He opened his mouth to argue but stopped when he noticed her shaking. Guilt flickered across his face.
"Why were you even standing there? Don't you know people use the slide?" he muttered weakly.
"OF COURSE I KNOW THAT, YOU DUMMY," she snapped, wiping her tears angrily.
"Then why—"
"Because I don't have any friends!"
Her voice cracked, and the boy's mouth snapped shut. He stared at her, the pain in his stomach forgotten. Slowly, he stood up and dusted himself off.
"Hey," he said softly. "Did I hurt you really bad?"
"Of course you did," she sniffed, looking away.
"I'm sorry." He sat down beside her on the slide, leaving enough space to not crowd her. "My name's Alex. What's yours?"
Lily glanced at him. "Lily..."
"Nice to meet you, Lily." He extended his hand with a grin. "Do you want me to be your friend?"
"I don't even know you," she replied, folding her arms.
"Yet," Alex said, unfazed. "You don't know me yet. So, what do you say?"
Lily stayed silent.
"Got it. Still mad, huh? Can't blame you. Okay, how old are you?"
"Seven."
"Great! We're pretty much the same age. I'm ten."
"Ten and seven aren't the same thing."
"That's why I said 'pretty much.' "
Lily gave him a flat look.
Alex scratched his head, looking around for a way to break the tension. His eyes landed on her notebook. "Hey, what's that? A diary?"
"No," Lily said, clutching it protectively. "It's my sketchbook."
"Sketchbook? Do you draw dinosaurs? Ohhh, please tell me you draw dinosaurs!" Alex bounced in excitement.
Lily blinked at him, startled by his enthusiasm, before a laugh bubbled out.
"What's so funny?" Alex demanded.
"Nothing," Lily giggled. "You're just... weird."
"So, no dinosaurs?"
"No dinosaurs," Lily admitted. "But do you want to see?"
"Can I?" Alex's eyes lit up.
Lily hesitated, then handed him the notebook. "Here."
Alex flipped through the pages, his face shifting from curiosity to awe. "Whoa. These are awesome!"
"Really?" Lily blushed, brushing a hand across her cheek. "You're just saying that."
"No, I mean it! These are good."
"Maybe, but compared to the cartoons on TV, my drawings are lame."
"Not at all. Did you think you'd be the next Leonardo da Vinci or something?"
"Who?"
Alex smirked. "See? You don't even know who he is. Don't be too hard on yourself. You've got all the time in the world to improve."
Lily smiled shyly. "Thanks. So, would you like me to teach you how to draw dinosaurs?"
"No way, really?" Alex's eyes brightened.
"Yeah. I don't draw them often, but I know a few tricks," she said confidently.
Alex laughed. "Okay, sure. Teach me, oh wise drawing master."
They spent the rest of the afternoon sketching together, laughing until Lily's mother called her name.
"That's my mom," Lily said, standing reluctantly. "I have to go."
"Okay. But we'll meet again, right? At school?"
"I don't start school until September."
"Oh." Alex frowned, then brightened. "Well, do you live nearby? We can meet here again!"
Lily hesitated, then smiled. "Yeah. We can meet here."
"Deal. Bye, Lily!"
"Bye!"
---
Years later, Lily zipped up her jacket in the restaurant's restroom, her mind still lingering on the memory. It was strange how something so small—an afternoon at a playground—had stayed with her for so long.
"It's really nice seeing you again, Alex," she muttered under her breath as she stepped out into the dining area.
"Okay, boss! I need to go now, or else I'll miss class again," Lily said with a laugh.
"Yes, yes, of course, my dear. We don't want you getting expelled or something!" her manager teased.
Lily waved goodbye to her coworkers and ran out to catch the bus, her smile lingering long after the doors closed behind her.