May 18th

Prologue

Things change. People change. Life is all about change. Change is supposed to be a good thing, it brings growth and keeps life from becoming dull. But can it be so wrong to wish that not everything would change? Like friendships why did those have to change? You're best friends since you're two years old and will remain so until you're both 102. You promise never to let anything get in the way that no matter what you will never grow apart. It seems like such an easy promise to keep, what could ever separate the two of you? The world can keep its problems the two of you are the exception to the rules of change, no change of address forms or petty fights could ever break the bond you've shared for so long. After all you've vowed to stay best friends for life and that's exactly what you intend to do. But what if only one of you kept the promise and the other…the other didn't? Can your friendship stay the same or do you just accept the change and move on?

Arthur Read mulled these thoughts over and over while he stared blankly at his laptop screen. Staring back at him was an email he had yet to write to his former best friend, Buster Baxter. He'd been working on it for over an hour and all he had typed was "Hey Buster." Arthur couldn't believe how difficult this was, he never had trouble talking to Buster at least not until recently. Eight years ago he never would've imagined he couldn't talk to his best friend, but he was also no longer 8 years old. In just a week he would be turning 17 and for once it looked like Buster wouldn't be there to celebrate his birthday with him. Arthur had sat down that afternoon with the full message written in his head, all his feelings would just pour onto the page. His anger at Buster and what he'd done to destroy their friendship, how hurt he was, how sad he was, how the very mention of Buster's name left a sour taste in his mouth. But also his desire to make amends, to forgive and forget, to have his best friend back again. He'd had such a well-rehearsed speech planned in his head expressing every ounce of anger, hatred, sadness and desperation he'd been feeling for almost a year and now that he had the blank canvas to spill it out on he just couldn't bring himself to write it down. Suddenly all those words blurred in his head and he couldn't remember whether he'd wanted to mention his anger first or his regret at not talking to him sooner. Swallowing what felt like a rock Arthur tried once more to type out what he'd been harboring inside for so long. Unfortunately he couldn't get past "Hey Buster." "Why Buster, why did you do it?" Arthur whispered to himself. He stared back at the screen silently praying Buster somehow heard him and would answer. But no such luck, his phone stayed silent and his inbox empty. His instant messenger clicked open though, a message from Francine Frensky.

Francine: Hey Arthur, you there?

Arthur hesitated answering he knew why she was messaging him and he rather if just this once she didn't try to butt in and solve everything.

Francine: Arthur hellooo? I know you're on.

Francine: Filing a missing person's report.

Damn she wasn't gonna let up, course it was Francine it would be a shocker if she did.

Arthur: Yeah I'm here, what's up?

Francine: Just making sure you're ok, still trying to talk to him?

Arthur: I'm fine

Francine: You know I know you better than that Arthur Read. Did you write him yet?

Arthur: No can't figure out what to say

Francine: Prob for the best

Arthur: How? I can't just give up on him

Francine: Like he did on you?

Arthur: He just made a mistake

Francine: Uh huh

Arthur: Ok a couple of big ones but he's still Buster

Francine: Face it Arthur, the Buster we knew is long gone

Arthur: No he's still in there somewhere, if I can just talk to him

Francine: Arthur talking won't fix this

Arthur: It has to

Francine: Well good luck but don't be surprised if he doesn't respond

Arthur: He will, I know it and it'll be like nothing changed

Francine: But Arthur things did change and not for the better, I miss him too but…

Arthur: But what? He'll answer I know my old best friend is still in there, I know my best friend! If I can just catch him before he gets in that car maybe he won't leave and…

Francine: Arthur, he's not coming back

Arthur: He will

Francine: He's gone Arthur or will be, you can't change it

Arthur: Yes I can I will

Francine: *Sigh* Best of luck to you then, if you do get a chance to talk to him and he responds tell him I said hi

Arthur: Thanks and I will

Francine: Later

Arthur: Bye

Arthur clicked out of the messenger and tried to concentrate on his email to Buster. But Francine's words swirled in his brain and he wondered if maybe he was just wasting his time. Now he couldn't even remember his original message, damn it. Stupid Francine and her stupid pessimism, why did she have to say what she did? Buster wasn't coming back, that he wasn't their old friend anymore, no it wasn't true. Buster wouldn't leave and even if he did he'd come right back, he wouldn't just leave not forever would he? "Arthur dinner's in five," his mom called from downstairs. "Ok mom," he replied wiping a stray tear from the corner of his eye. Sighing in defeat he gave up and deleted the email and signed off. If he wanted to talk to Buster it would have to be in person and that…that would not be easy. Things are supposed to change but not like this, he wished the last year hadn't happened. He wished he could just erase it all and start all over again. Before life got complicated, before high school when everything was as it should've been. He only had one last chance to make this right and not a lot of time but he had to try. He couldn't say goodbye to Buster, he just couldn't.