Chapter 1

Little Marki opened her eyes. It was the first day of summer. She hopped out of bed, got dressed, and ran next door to "Grandma" May's house. Grandma May wasn't really her grandma, but Marki loved her like one.

"Grandma May! Grandma May!" Marki yelled, as she hopped onto the porch and went barreling inside. Grandma May was ready for her.

"Hello, dear," she smiled, "I have some exciting news."

Marki's eyes widened. Exciting news? Not very common in her small town.

"What is it?" she breathed.

A little earlier

May hung up the phone and closed her eyes. She had just talked to a butler from the Ohtori family. It was time she paid the debt she owed them. For the whole summer, she has to take care of their youngest child, Kyoya. Due to bad press, they feared for Kyoya and decided to send him to a safer place. That happened to be May's house. She smiled slightly as she imagined Marki's expression when she hears the news. The neighborhood only had adults and elderly people. There were no 8-year-olds. Except for Marki. In the distance May could hear Marki calling for her. She straightened up and got ready for the whirlwind only an 8-year-old can bring.

Two weeks later

Finally. The day for the new boy Kyoya has come. Marki sat impatiently at the window.

"Can I go now, Mama?" she begged.

"You have to wait until 10:00, sweetie. It's 9:45. Only 15 more minutes."

Marki groaned and leaned her head against the window. Who puts the word only in front of 15 minutes? She wondered to herself.

Finally, finally, those 15 minutes were up. She shot out of the house, down her steps, and veered for the sidewalk. Then she stopped dead. She quickly dove behind a bush and peeked out. There was a boy there. But he had such an air about him, that he seemed… older. He stood up straight. He didn't look around curiously like she would have done, instead he stood there calmly as a tall man unloaded luggage from the car. Suddenly, as if he sensed her looking at him, he turned and made eye contact. His glasses gleamed as he frowned slightly.

She gulped. Then she steeled herself, smiled, and waved. He cocked his head to the side as if that very gesture confused him. Then he got called inside so he left.

A week earlier Grandma May had warned her that he might not be the most friendly. When Marki asked her why, Grandma May said because of his upbringing. He was always told that he has to excel. Marki had decided then that she would become best friends with him.

She timidly walked into Grandma May's kitchen. Kyoya was standing there.

"Have a seat, dears," Grandma said brightly.

Marki sat down, slouching. Kyoya sat down with his back straight.

Marki decided to talk.

"I'm Marki," she said.

"Kyoya," Kyoya said mildly.

"We're gonna be best friends," she declared.

Kyoya's eyes widened. "We're going to be what?"

"Best friends," she clarified.

She finally started to get her bouncy personality back as she got used to him.

She stood up. "Let's go!" she grabbed his hand and dragged him up.

"Go? Where?"

"To the woods, of course. We're exploring today. Oh, but you needta change your clothes. A suit is not good for exploring."

"I don't have play clothes."

Grandma May grinned. "Oh, yes, you do. I got you some. I knew Marki would want to go to the woods."

So a reluctant Kyoya changed then followed Marki to the woods.

She was walking along, then suddenly stopped.

"That one," she declared pointing to a tree. "We're gonna climb that tree."

She then proceeded to climb said tree.

"Come on up!" she yelled.

"No."

"Ooohh, I get it. You're scared."

"I am not."

"Are to."

"Am not."

"Are to."

"Am not! And I'll prove it by climbing this tree!"

He climbed the tree, though not as well as Marki, to his dismay.

He sat next to her on the branch and looked over to see her grinning from ear to ear.

"Ha! You climbed it after all!"

Kyoya was slightly embarrassed that he got tricked, but he also realized that climbing a tree was… fun. He decided to stick with Marki, maybe she'll show him more fun.

Summer flew by. As Marki promised, the two became best friends. The night before Kyoya was to leave, they sat talking in the back yard.

"I'm really gonna miss ya, Kyoya," she said quietly.

He took her hand. "I'll miss you too, Marki. But, we'll see each other again."

"How do you know?"

"Because we're best friends. We have to see each other again."

Marki smiled a tiny smile.

The next summer

Kyoya came again. Once again the two had a great time. Until Kyoya's father stopped by to check on him. Unfortunately, he came just as Marki and Kyoya came stepping out of the woods, covered with mud. The father took one look at them, then declared that they're leaving. Now.

"No!" Marki gasped, "You can't go!"

Kyoya, too, looked upset. "I don't think he'll ever let me come back," he whispered hoarsely.

"Kyoya," she cried and flung herself at him. The tears came flowing as she clung to him. "But you're my best friend!" she sobbed.

Kyoya slowly wrapped his arms around her. "I will never, ever forget you!" he said fiercely. He kissed her on the cheek. "And you don't forget me!"

"Never!" she promised, then kissed his cheek.

As the car drove away, he mashed his face against the window. They stared at each other until they couldn't see the other. Even then, Marki stood there, staring at the empty space.

Kyoya, she thought. And touched her cheek where he had kissed her. He was her only best friend. She won't forget him.

Then it started raining as if the very sky was crying.