Book 4: Something That Changed Everything

Mom and I have just settled into our new home. Once the movers have unloaded all our stuff, Mom thinks it would be a good idea to take me to the local playground. I find myself knee-deep in sand, surrounded by kids my age.

I am attempting to build a sandcastle, but it is proving to be a challenge. The sand here is different from the beach sand I am used to.

Suddenly, a shadow falls over me. I look up to find a boy standing there. I offer him a friendly smile.

“Want to help me?” I ask, trying to hide my shyness as I stand up.

He takes a few steps forward, not uttering a word. I stand still, intrigued by what he might do next.

Then, out of nowhere, he shoves me. I fall backward, landing flat on my butt.

Really?

I feel the sting of tears, but I hold them back. I look up at him, my nose twitching.

“Why’d you do that?”

I tried to be friendly, and he just pushed me. Boys can be so cruel sometimes.

He points a finger at me. “Because you’re weird!”

He doesn’t even know me. How could he decide I’m weird? I want my mom.

Before I can get up, another boy steps in. He stands between me and the bully, protecting me.

“You like pushing people around? Let’s see how you like it.” Without a second thought, he pushes the bully to the ground, harder than I was pushed.

“If you push her again, you’ll have to deal with me,” he warns.

The bully nods, then runs off like a scared rabbit. My rescuer turns to me, extending a hand to help me up.

He’s dreamy.

I have never seen a boy as handsome as him. Could I keep him?

He helps me to my feet, then lets go of my hand to brush the sand off my back. I can feel my cheeks heating up.

“I’m Ian,” he says.

“Viola,” I reply, smiling.

Ian nods. “If he bothers you again, let me know. Okay?”

Something comes over me then. I reach out and take his hand. Ian looks at our joined hands, but he doesn’t pull away.

I clear my throat, feeling a bit nervous. “Do you want to help me with my sandcastle?”

What if he says no?

He smiles at me, a genuine smile. “I’m sorry, but my mom’s calling me. I have to go. Maybe next time.”

For some reason, after he leaves, building my sandcastle doesn’t seem as fun anymore.

I run over to my mom. “Mommy, can we go now?”

She pinches my cheeks, which I hate. “If you’re ready to go, then sure.”

My dad left my mom when she was pregnant with me. I’ve never met him. We moved here because of a promotion my mom received.

I don’t say anything. I just nod. Mom takes my hand and leads me to the car. I look around, hoping to see Ian again, but he’s nowhere in sight.

“Look, honey, our new neighbors’ son is out playing. Do you want to go say hi?” Mom asks as we pull into our driveway.

I sigh. I want to play with Ian, I think.

I follow Mom out of the car.

“Hello, my name is Sandra Lennox, and this is my daughter, Viola. I was wondering if my daughter could play with your son?” she asks the woman standing in front of us.

The woman shakes Mom’s hand. “You must be our new neighbors. Welcome to the neighborhood.” She looks at me, then back at Mom. “Ian!” she calls out.

Wait, did she say Ian? As in, my prince Ian?

Could it be that my new neighbor is Ian?

I can barely contain my excitement as I see Ian run over to his mom. She bends down to talk to him.

“Ian, these are our new neighbors. Do you want to play with Viola for a bit?”

Ian looks at me and sighs. “Okay.”

Mom goes back into the house, leaving me alone with Ian. I am thrilled to have more time with my prince.

He takes my hand, and my heart skips a beat.

“So, what do you want to do?”

“Hey, I noticed there’s a treehouse in my backyard. Wanna check it out?” I try to keep my voice casual.

Time flies by, and Ian and I become two peas in a pod. He’s my best friend. The catch is, I have feelings for him. Deep, intense feelings. I am in love with him.

I’m not sure if he feels the same. The fear of losing him if I confess my feelings is paralyzing. If he walks away, I don’t know how I’ll cope.

I decide to visit our treehouse, the birthplace of our friendship. As I scale the tree, I hear noises from within. Is Ian already there?

I push open the trap door, and my heart shatters.

“Viola?” Ian looks shocked. “You’re early.”

I can’t respond. I scramble down the tree, heading for my house. How could he?

Before I can get far, Ian grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

I spin around, pushing him away. “How could you, Ian?” I yell. “This is our place, our secret. And you bring a girl here to make out? How could you?”

He sighs. “Why are you making a big deal out of this? We’re just friends.”

His words hit me hard. “I know that.” I try to sound strong, but I am crumbling inside. “I know that, but it’s still my treehouse. Find another place to make out. And while you’re at it, find a new friend. Because we’re done,” I spit out in anger.

“Fine!” he retorts.

That is it. He isn’t going to fight for us. I mean so little to him. I thought our friendship was stronger.

Everything changes after that day. I miss him every day. I still love him. I see him with his friends. We’re in different worlds now. He is on top of the world, and I am at the bottom, invisible.

He doesn’t know how I feel, and he never will.

“Principal Rheims will see you now.” Miss Lily Salazar brings me back to reality.

I rise from my seat and head toward his office. Today, I am tasked with showing a new student, Hanna Parker, around the school. I hope she isn’t like the others who think they are above everyone else.

I take a deep breath as I open the door.