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We were ten years old, and I was spending the night at Jade’s house while my parents were away It ay past our bedtime, but I’d snuck into Jade’s roo froht that was coh her bedrooigantic bed She was curled into herself, sniffling, and hugging her pillow tightly to her chest I climbed up, and slid under the covers until I felt the warainst mine

Her eyes opened, and when she peered up at , I kneanted to e, I knew she meant more to me than anyone else

“Why are you crying?” I asked I pried her hand frohtly to my chest

“I had a nightot scared”

I rolled ontous face-to-face, and wiped her tear-stained cheeks with htmare was about, but I couldn’t ask I just wanted whatever had upset her to disappear from herhappen to you”

Jade stayed quiet, and after a while I started hu in particular, but it seemed to have calmed her down so I didn’t stop I didn’t care if I sounded off-key, or like a total dipshit If it helped her, I would do it

“Reid?”

I stopped hu “Yeah?”

“You’ll never leave me will you?”

I frowned at her question Was that what her night her?

“No, I won’t You’re my best friend”

Her e happened inside led

“Promise?”

I replied without hesitation “I promise”

I was too young, and naïve to realize how hard it was to keep such a pro it would have devastating consequences our friendship wouldn’t survive

I watched Jade sleep until the early hours of the uest bedroom before Jade woke up

That was the first tiht not have understood it then, but looking back on it now I see it for what it was – the defining irl next door before knohat it meant

THE LIGHTS were off in our apartment when I walked in, and Dane’s bedroom door was open, but he wasn’t there I expelled a heavy breath, and trudged intoout I switched on the bedroo onelse

“Stella,” I greeted “What are you doing here?”

Her eyes were red, and I could see she’d been crying It was ti I’d at least have until ht, especially not with her

“What,” she sniffled, “Am I not allowed to come see my boyfriend?”