I sat there watching Domon across the playground. My friend Mary and I were playing in the sandbox. Domon and Kyogi were playing ball. Domon's birthday had been the day before and his present from Kyogi had been a brand new baseball mitt. Domon had been so excited. He ran over to my house as soon as he had opened it. The only bad part was Kyogi had let him open it at six in the morning. Then he had the nerve to beg for his present from me. I told him he would get it at his party and not a minute before. Though I was only four I was as stubborn as a mule. I had gotten him a new baseball to go with Kyogi's mitt.

Mary and I were building a volcano. It was almost as tall as I was sitting down. We were starting to dig out the middle. I knew that Kyogi wouldn't be too happy that my arms were covered in sand. Especially since he had to hold my hand when we crossed streets on the way home. Kyogi could never stay mad at me though. He always cracked when I gave him the puppy dogface. It worked every time. Plus if anything happened to me he wouldn't get paid to be my babysitter.

Suddenly Domon's ball went flying over to Mary and I. It fell right smack dab into the middle of our volcano. Mary's eyes filled with tears as she looked at our ruined work. I was pretty mad too. We had worked so hard. I picked up Domon's ball and walked over to him. I glared at him and handed him his ball. Domon and I never really had to tell each other when we were mad. I knew that Domon could tell I was pretty upset. Now I think it was childish but then that volcano had meant the world to me.

I went back to the sand box and Mary and I started remaking our volcano. Suddenly several ten-year olds came up. They were all boys and when you're only four ten-year-olds look pretty big. Mary and I were terrified. I screamed.

"Domon, Kyogi help!" I screamed as loud as I could.

In a flash Domon and Kyogi were there with me. Domon was by my side and had his arms wrapped around me. Kyogi stood in front of us and stood up to the boys. Kyogi was twelve and a lot bigger than the boys. When it was all over Domon, Kyogi, and I went back to their house.

"Rain are you still mad at me?" Domon asked me when we sat down on his bedroom floor to eat or snack. Mrs. Kasshu had made chocolate chip cookies for us.

I threw my arms around his neck as I had so often done. "Oh Domon I could never stay mad at my best friend for very long," I told him sincerely.

"I'm your best friend?" Domon asked me.

"Of course you are silly," I told him. "You're the best friend I've ever had." I gave Domon a big hug. He's been my best friend ever since.

Rain finished reading the story and looked up at Domon. He smiled at her. It wasn't just his usual smirk, but a real smile. He pulled Rain into his arms and she picked up the next story. "The Soccer Match"