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“Cuz we’ll still be friends ”

“Exactly ”

Lexi fell silent She’d learned a long tiht want but would never have, and it hurt less if she tried not to as unattainable Was this friendship like that? Was this just a high school friend version of first love that would diminish into a fond memory with time and distance?

Zach ran back, slightly out of breath He stood above theainst the moonlit waves “Get up ”

“What for?” Mia demanded

Lexi didn’t ask why; she just got up and took his hand She loved the way his strong, warers curled around hers

He held out a Ninja Turtles Ther questions ”

“Soot to her feet and brushed the sand off her backside

Zach led theuarded their beach

In the hostlike, but there was a brightness in his green eyes that shone like tears

He held out the Ther in here and bury it ” He stared at Lexi “It’ll be … like … our pact ”

“For as long as this time capsule is buried here, we’ll be best friends,” Mia said seriously “Going off to college won’t change that Nothing will change it ”

“We won’t be like everyone else,” Lexi said, hoping her comment didn’t sound like a question, but even now, in this sole caood-bye ”

Mia nodded “Not as long as this is buried ”

Zach held out the open Therht a flash of the silver interior andin here as proof ”