Lyra, a girl who was half-American and half-Filipina, was seven years old.

She had just come back to her mom's house in Quezon City after a long time. It was her second day back home after finishing Grade 1.

Her mom knocked on her door. "Lyra, honey, come downstairs for breakfast." Her mom's voice was gentle, but it sounded a little worried.

Lyra went downstairs. Her dad was waiting for her with a big hug. She smiled and hugged him back, but she didn't feel comfortable. She had only been back for two days, but she had already seen her dad hugging another woman at the gate. She watched from the window until the woman left.

Breakfast was quiet. Lyra's mom noticed she wasn't happy. "Are you okay, honey? You seem quiet," she asked.

"Yes, Mom. I'm okay," Lyra said. But she wasn't really okay.

"Maybe you're bored because you've been inside all day. Let's go out later," her mom said.

After breakfast, Lyra and her mom went for a walk. Her mom stopped to talk to a friend. Lyra screamed because her mom's friend was holding a little puppy that looked just like her lost pet. Her mom's friend quickly left.

They kept walking, and then Lyra saw something amazing - a river! The water was so clear and beautiful. She was so amazed that she didn't notice she was walking away from her mom.

She sat on a rock, watching the water flow. Then she saw him. A boy, maybe 11 or 12 years old, with dark eyes that looked like the river - deep and mysterious. He was sitting on a big rock, drawing in his notebook. Lyra was shy and a little scared, so she just watched him. They seemed so different.

She saw some beautiful flowers. She really wanted them! She climbed up to get them. But then, she slipped! She fell into the river!

Lyra was so scared! The water was cold, and she couldn't breathe. She didn't know how to swim. "Help!" she shouted, but it seemed like no one heard her.

Suddenly, the boy appeared! He moved so fast. Before Lyra could even panic, he was in the water. He grabbed her and pulled her out of the river.

Lyra coughed and coughed, gasping for air. She shivered, lying by the river. The boy knelt beside her. "Are you okay?" he asked gently.

Lyra nodded, tears streaming down her face. His name was Ethan. Ethan took care of her until she stopped crying. They talked and shared stories. Slowly, they became friends.

When summer ended, Ethan left. Lyra was sad. But then she saw a small rock with something carved on it: "I'll be back. Wait for me." It was a promise whispered on the wind. But Lyra believed it. She waited for Ethan.

(To be continued…)