Prologue
The night was fading in, the faint stars in the sky beginning to glimmer. It was late March, a day away from summer break. Maria had bittersweet feelings toward tomorrow. Tomorrow meant no more school, tests, or worries. It also meant moving away from the town she'd lived in for almost the past ten years. She sat on the hill by her house, staring out at the warm and welcoming town below.
She was awaiting her friends, twirling a special box as she went. Her friends promised to come. They were going to watch the stars and watch a movie outside as the last full day together. She really didn't want to leave them. They'd been her friend since she moved her, when she was six. There was a rustle from behind. She turned around, smiling.
Toni and Ian never got along alone. They came up from the trees arguing, shoving at one another. They acted like three year olds fighting over a toy. Conveniently, they were arguing about an old action figure from a year ago. Maria giggled as the two arrived. They stopped arguing immediately, taking their seats on either side of her.
"Not that stupid superhero toy again," Maria sighed.
"I want it back!" ordered Ian.
Ian Fox had short hair that was such a dark brown that it looked black. His eyes always looked seriously, and the deep blue color of it allowed a stronger blend of serious. He often wore tight, but baggy enough to not be skinny jean, blue jeans. His shirt was a faded and used black T-shirt with a purple design over the sleeves.
"I told you I lost it. I gave you that new green lantern toy," replied Toni.
Toni, or Whitney Heartman, was always doing something different with her hair. Sometimes it was brown, other times with a purple streak, and other times looking as if a random barf color. Currently, it was a bright blond color, making her almost neon blue eyes brighter than ever. She always wore a certain, clever smile.
"You two are so sad," chuckled Maria.
"So, this is really the last night we'll sit up here?" Ian asked.
"Yep," Maria sighed. "I'm pulling out tomorrow."
"I promise, I'll message you every day!" Toni howled.
"Me too!" cheered Ian.
"I know you guys will," smiled Maria, blushing lightly.
"Whatcha got there," Toni hummed, pointing to the unopened box.
"A goodbye present," Maria mumbled, opening the box.
Toni and Ian leaned in to see the contents of the box. The small purple box's inside was coated with white fluffy in order to protect the bright blue gems inside. There were three gems, each a different shade of blue. The first was a bright sky blue, the second was a faded blue, and the last was a dark storm blue. Ian snatched the darkest, holding it above his head for a better view of it. Toni sighed, shaking her head.
"Can I have this one?" asked Toni, picking out the brightest.
"Sure," nodded Maria.
"This is so cool!" snickered Ian. "Where'd you get these?"
"My dad's archeological dig," Maria answered, closing the box and setting it aside.
"Wow. They're amazing," cheered Toni, giving Maria a light, one armed hug.
"Can you just like not move?" growled Ian, stashing the gem in his pocket.
"Yeah. If only it was that easy," sighed Toni, lying down.
"We'll keep in touch though," smiled Maria.
"But," gasped Toni, sitting up again, "you're the glue that holds be back from killing him."
She gestured to Ian, who returned motion with a punch to the arm. Toni shoved him, forcing him to lie down. She smiled back at Maria. Ian leapt up, tackling Toni. Maria watched the fight begin, unsure what just happened. Sure enough, though, Toni was winning. In the end, she had him pinned down. He groaned loudly.
"Alright guys, enough," ordered Maria.
"See, without you who will tell me to stop before he goes missing," shrugged Toni, taking back her seat beside Maria.
"I'm sure you'll do fine," whispered Maria.
"We'll miss you," Toni mumbled quietly, "Probably more than you know."
"I'll miss you too," sniffled Maria. "I hate moving."
"We could use Skype or something, right?" Ian offered.
"Yeah," stifled Maria, trying to smile.
There was a call from behind. The three looked back. Maria's house was barely visible, other than the lights of the windows. A silhouette of a man stood in the open doors. Maria's father was calling them for the movie. Maria smiled at her friends. Toni and Ian jumped up at the same time. Ian, revengeful of the earlier fight, shoved Toni over. She watched as he took the lead for the movie. Maria smiled lightly still, watching her friends run off. Toni turned around, waving for Maria to follow. Ian did the same. Maria slowly got up, running toward the house.