Forever and Always-A Story of Fights in a Friendship

 

Part 1

            Chloe ran into Lake Side Forest, tears streaming down her face. Her feet pounded on the mulch covered trail, leading away from her crazy mother, away from her so called friend.

The trails winding through the forest would confuse anyone, but Chloe knew them by heart. She and her friend Carter have roamed these trails every day. They knew the secrets of the forest, where the sweetest berries grew, where herbs grew in luxurious clumps, and where poison ivy ruled, ready to brush upon your skin.

Last night’s fight with Carter crept into Chloe’s mind. Chloe blinked back tears and pushed the thought out of her mind. Somewhere far away the school bell rang. Chloe smirked, let Carter have a kick out of that. Chloe was skipping school, just like she and Carter had planned. They both knew the plan would never take action, their parents, or rather Carter’s parents (Chloe’s dad died and her mom went crazy, now she basically lives with Carter) would find them or call the police.

Chloe finally reached a beautiful lake, the lake that gave this trail its name. She walked towards a magnificent old willow tree. Pushing past the willow’s long graceful branches, she arrived at a small cabin, sheltered by the willow’s branches. Carter had taken some lumber that his father wasn’t using. He and Chloe built this cabin together. The cabin was big enough to fit two.

Meanwhile, Carter stared at an empty desk as Mrs. Tumberly babbled on about reciprocals. Mrs. Tumberly’s voice grew fainter and fainter as thoughts churned through Carter’s head; she must have gone to our hideout, he thought. Carter thought about Chloe, how her soft caramel colored hair tumbled down her shoulders perfectly, her warm chocolate eyes and brilliant smile. Chloe was very attractive. If you asked anyone, they would say “Athletic and incredibly pretty”. Carter thought about how he had taken Chloe as a friend for granted all those years. He couldn’t bear it to think about losing Chloe. Carter decided to go to Lake Side Forest after school. And that was final.