We were nine when we met Carlos. It was the middle of one hot Minnesota summer, and we were walking in the park. We didn't go to the playground that often, but when we did, we mostly just pushed each other on the swings. We preferred to go running around between the trees. Chasing each other.

But today we went to the playground. We saw all the kids playing and were going to join in when one kid caught your eye. It was a small Latino boy, sitting on the swings by himself. He was just sitting there, staring at the dusty ground.

I saw the look on your face. You never liked seeing a kid on their own. You'd always been friendly to people who you thought needed it. That was one of the things I really liked about you. I predicted what you were going to do.

And I was right. You walked straight over to the little boy on the swings. "Hi! What's your name?"

He looked up at you, and I saw tears in his eyes. My heart gave an odd thump, and I sort of knew then why you were always trying to be nice to people.

"Carlos." He paused before asking, "What's yours?"

"I'm Kendall, and he's Logan." I smiled at Carlos, but he was still looking at you. "I haven't seen you before," you continued. "Are you new around here?"

He nodded. "I used to live in Florida. I came here a week ago." He sniffed. "I don't like it here. The other kids are mean." He paused, then gave a small smile. "Except you. You're nice."

I saw the way you smiled at him, and it pissed me off. I wasn't sure why, it just did.

"Thanks. You wanna play with us?"

I choked on air. "What?"

Carlos nodded eagerly and hopped off the swings. "Does this mean we're friends now?" he asked.

You nodded and grinned at him. Then you looked at me and saw I wasn't smiling. I knew the look on your face. Your face was saying 'Just give him a chance.'

I was unwilling.

After a couple of weeks, I wasn't feeling any better. Carlos was always with us. You showed him how to play hockey, like you showed me. He took part in all our insane plots and schemes. And even though the only part he seemed to play was getting us into even more trouble, you never got mad at him. Never. Not once.

You liked so much, and he liked you. Sometimes he looked at you and just smiled, almost like the way a puppy looks at the little boy that adopts it. Then you would smile back at him the way the little boy smiles at his new puppy. I hated it.

One day, I was sick, so I couldn't go out, and I was just sitting by the window, watching a few birds fly back and forth, when I saw you and Carlos. You were just walking out of your house and were walking down the street, heads close together, talking. For a second I felt my blood boil, then I felt my heart shatter.

Because you obviously didn't need a friend like me if you had a friend like him. I'm not sure how long I cried for, but it must have been a long time. My head hurt and my eyes were red and puffy when I looked in the mirror. I looked pathetic. No wonder you liked Carlos over me.

I was sitting on my bed, hugging my knees wen I heard my mom calling from downstairs. I barely heard what she said. Then my door opened, and I saw you there, looking at me with those large eyes.

"Logan, have you been crying? What's wrong?"

"Why don't you ask your new best friend?" I sobbed, hiding my face in my hands. God, why did I say that?

I heard the creak as you sat on the bed next to me. "Logan, what are you talking about?"

"Carlos," I whispered miserably. "He's always around, and you two get on so well, and I . . ." I sniffed and wiped the last of the tears away. "I feel like he's taking you away from me."

You didn't move, and at first I was scared you would laugh at me, call me possessive. Or gay. But you didn't. You pulled me into a hug. "Logan, Carlos is not taking me away. You need to give him a chance. You both mean a lot to me."

"Why were you together without me today?" I asked. "I'm sorry, but I just feel like he's more fun than me and you're sick of, boring, logical Logan—"

"Logie." I looked at you. You hadn't called me that in ages. It made me smile. "Carlos was upset, and he came to me, because he thinks you don't like him, Logie! He's really upset about it. He was crying and all. I walked back t the house with him because he asked if I would. He feels like I'm the only friend he has!

"You have to understand; someday were going t have a lot more friends. Close friends, and maybe they'll take up most of our time, but we'll still be best friends, right?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Well then, we can't let just one guy come between us, can we?" you smiled.

I smiled back; I couldn't help it. "No."

"There you go!" You stood up. "I need to get home; I just came to see if you were ok. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," I nodded, and watched as you left. I grinned to myself and hopped off the bed, going to the window. I saw you crossing the street to your own house. Before you opened the door, you turned back and waved at me.

How was that? I know I skipped a couple of things but I think they're too short to post alone so I'm just gonna put the short ones together! Reviews are greatly appreciated!