Today is the day I go into the woods with my two best friends, Eleanor and Anna. Into the woods, into our secret little clearing. It is a perfect days for fun. The sun is high, but the weather is cool and breezy. I can smell our picnic lunch (sandwiches, cupcakes, and salad) lingering in the air above our heads. Eleanor and I decide to play a game of tic-tac-toe, while Anna rests under a tree.
She looks so peaceful, under her tree… Oh well! Although Anna does not know this, we have spread pink frosting all over her face. Eleanor and I break into a silent fit of the giggles. I guess laughter attracts chipmunks, for at that moment, four identical furry heads pop out from four identical hole in a tree. They crawl towards us, their cute little noses twitching and their tails flicking as they observe our game. Unfortunately, when I turn to look at them, all four scurry back up the tree and into their holes. I win the game just as Anna wakes up. She rubs her eyes, which smothers frosting over her entire face! Eleanor and I start cracking up once more and Anna asks what’s wrong. I pull a mirror out of my bag and tell her to look at her face. Anna’s screams can be heard miles away, echoing off mountains and crashing with the waves.
* * *
Many months later, I am back in our special clearing in the woods, but this time, I am not accompanied by my two best friends. Eleanor is away at camp, and Anna’s family surprised everyone by moving to Philadelphia last month. I miss them so much, and I think every day of the countless letters I have sent them, and of the zero answers I have received. I am alone and friendless in a cold, cruel world. Suddenly, I feel that I can bear this feeling of sadness no longer. I run. Past the old empty tree that used to house those four chipmunks, past the park, past the old wooden swing (now hanging from frayed ropes) I run past it all, not stopping until I reach my driveway, panting hard. It is then that I notice the mailbox stuffed full of letters. I pull one out. A grin spreads across my face as a read the return address.
