"I know it has to be here somewhere…"

The batter checked everywhere her ball could've gone after pulling off the greatest swing in the history of Faraway Park. To lose it after such an incredible feat? She wouldn't be able to live with herself.

"Hey Aubrey?" A timid blonde boy was close behind her. "Why don't we head back for now? What if we end up get-"

"Hold that thought, Basil." Aubrey held her arm up. "I see someone."

In the distance, there was a black-haired girl only a few years older than them, sitting alone contently on a red and white picnic blanket. She even had some delicious looking cookies out. The circular looking object in her hand didn't seem like a cookie though. Nope, it was Aubrey's precious ball.

"Hey!" the batter shouted as she sprinted towards the girl, finally making it to her before staring at her angrily from above. "That's my ball you got there!"

The stranger looked up curiously at the shorter girl hovering over her with a bat before smiling. "Is that so? You must be the one who made that impressive hit then."

"Uh…" Aubrey froze before recomposing herself, standing proud. "Y-yes I did! In fact, it was the greatest swing in Faraday Park history!"

"My, the greatest swing huh? That's even more impressive! I never could've done that when I used to play softball."

"You played softball?" The headstrong girl set the bat down on the grass below.

"I did. Unfortunately, I had to stop because I injured my knee pretty badly."

"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that."

"Mm, don't be." A smug grin shone across her face. "That greatest swing in Faraway Park title might've been up for grabs if I kept playing."

"Hey!" But before the brown-haired girl could respond, she heard the heavy panting of someone running behind her.

"A-Aubrey! Please don't run off like that without telling me!"

"Ah, I'm so sorry!" She patted her friend's back apologetically. "I keep forgetting your stamina isn't that good."

"I got some water here if you need it." The black-haired girl handed a bottle to the blonde before he gulped it down.

"T-thank you." Basil scooted behind Aubrey, still anxious to talk with a stranger.

"Of course!" She smiled before looking back at Aubrey and tossing something. "Now, I believe that belongs to you."

"Oh right… Thanks!" The brown-haired girl held the ball close for a moment before looking back at the girl on the picnic blanket with a curious look.

"Um, why are you having a picnic all by yourself anyway? Isn't that kinda lonely...?"

"I guess." The black-haired girl chuckled to herself nervously. "But I don't mind it now and then though."

"Whether it's watching the ducks swim in the lake or the flowers swaying with the wind, it's those little things that are enjoyable to me when I just want some alone time."

"I know what you mean!" The quiet blonde ironically blurted out louder than he wanted, surprising both the girls.

"Whenever I want some alone time, I always love tending to my garden. It's both calming and gives me something to look forward to each day… "

"Mmm!" The black-haired girl gave a thumbs up. "That's the most important part!"

"Well…" Aubrey took the shy blonde's hand and held it tight. "Me and Basil better get go-"

"Would you care to join me for my picnic?"

"E-eh?" The batter perked up, "Are you sure? We'd only be disturbing your alone time…"

"Too late for that." The black-haired girl let out a laugh. "Don't act like I don't see you two eyeing my homemade cookies now."

Aubrey looked back at her friend, a nervous but affirmative smile on his face. He wanted to do it, and she couldn't say no to him.

"Just for a few minutes then!"

The two kicked off their shoes before sitting down on the blanket, the older girl placing a plate of cookies and watermelon slices for them to enjoy.

"Aubrey and Basil, right? Nice to meet you. Oh." A cough. "How rude of me. I haven't even introduced myself yet."

The mystery girl hugged her knees as the two friends enjoyed her homemade cookies, elated her recipe turned out as delicious as it looked.

"My name is Mari!"