I Met My Best Friends When I was Six years Old

I met my best friends when I was six years old. My family, originally from New York, moved out here to Colorado and fell in love with it. I can remember that day as clear as glass. I was so scared to move. I was leaving all of my friends and cousins. I didn't know much at the time because I was only six but I did know about change and this was a very big one. I am an only child so that made me even more nervous to start school all by myself without knowing anyone. To make a long story short, school is where I met my best friends. We were crazy growing up, from building the tree house in my backyard to swimming in the lake and almost getting drowned by the tides. Our childhood was always so much fun.

It has been ten years since that first day I stepped foot in Bayside, Colorado. I am still best friends with my girls. The four of us together are inseparable...Lauren, Sophia, Casey, and of course me, Monica. At sixteen years old we are even crazier. This is the story of our precious friendship, one memorable summer, and the good and bad times we went through to keep our bond alive.

School is out and the summer is here...thank god.
This school year went by so fast but I am so happy it is over.

"Whoohoo! School's out let's scream and shout!" screams Casey

"Casey you are so corny" says Lauren

"Last one to the lake is a loser" I say as I run as fast as I can to the lake as the girls follow me

"Hey you cheated Sophia...how did you get here before all of us" says Lauren

"I guess I'm just faster than all of you" she says and laughs

"Guys how did I make it here last when this was my idea" I say confused

"I guess you are too slow...loser" says Casey

"Oh man...that's not fair" I say and laugh as we swim in the lake

Lauren, Sophia, Casey, and Monica...four best friends...yet so different

Lauren is the prettiest one out of the four of us. The only blonde one. She is always wearing makeup and making sure she has on the latest pair of earrings.

Sophia is the loud and obnoxious one... the one with the brown curly hair. She is always getting us into trouble because of her big mouth. She is more laid back and into yoga, rituals, and weird stuff that I don't like...but she's cool.

Casey as I mentioned before is the corny one... the one with the red hair...she is so old-fashioned sometimes it is hilarious, but she is the nicest sweetest person you will ever meet in your whole entire life.

What about me? Well my name is Monica and they call me the fun one of the group...the one with the straight brown hair. I have a little bit of everyone in me lol. I am like Lauren because I am very pretty also; she even thinks I am prettier than her. I am like Sophia because I am very loud and outgoing. I am like Casey because I always try to do the right thing even if I mess up and do the wrong thing the first time. And my best and favorite thing about myself that is my own is that I am a little bit of a tomboy. I love to play sports and get dirty. It's pretty funny actually because one minute I can be very girly and the next I can be rolling in mud.

"Stop splashing me Monica!" screams Casey

"Oh come on Casey have some fun" I say and splash her again

"CANNON BALL!" someone screams and I hear a huge splash into the lake

"Ah what the hell...come on girls" says Sophia as she, Lauren, and Casey get out of the water

"Come on Monica what are you doing" they say

"Guys it's just the boys...they were trying to scare you and it looked like it worked. Look Tommy is under water right now" I say and point to him

"They are such jerks" says Lauren

The kid Tommy comes out of the water and starts hysterical laughing

"Tommy why did you do that, you scared them" I say angrily

"Calm down I was joking around" he says

"Can you just leave where the rest of your boys are I don't know but tell them to leave too" I say

"Fine we are outta here...losers" he says and leaves

"Girls come back in" I say

"No, come on Monica let's just go home we are freezing" says Casey

"Fine I will meet you guys back at the tree house go ahead without me I will be right there" I say and swim a while

Let me tell you about these boys. Tommy, Johnny, Jake, and Tyler. They are the same age as us and we have known them since we were six too. As we were growing up they always picked on us and we annoyed them. We hated each other and would always compete with each other. It was boys against girls and fights over who was better...little kid stuff you know. Well we pretty much grew outta that stage but we still don't get along that well with them. At least I try to but Lauren, Casey, and Sophia are scared of like everything. That's why they are lucky to have me; I am the brave one out of the group.
After my swim I meet the girls in the tree house. My dad did some work on it over the years so it is still in really good shape and we always come up here to talk or just hangout. It is like our get away from everything.

"You are soaking wet still Monica, go change" says Lauren

"No it's okay, it is so hot out today I will stay cool like this" I say

"Tommy is so annoying...all he does is torture us, he pretty much lives for it" says Sophia

"Sophia why do you always talk about him if you hate him so much" I say

"I don't think she hates him...I think you like him lol you like Tommy" says Lauren to Sophia

"Ew no I don't guys he is so rude and obnoxious" she says

"Oh and who is the obnoxious one out of us again?" I ask

"Just leave her alone girls" says Casey nicely

"You know you can tell us anything Soph, we are your best friends" says Lauren

"I know I can...and I don't wanna talk about him right now...maybe another time" she says

"You know we never really talked about them before...like really talked about them" says Casey

"What do you mean? Like what we think of them or..." I say

"Yeah...like what you think of each of them" asks Casey

"You go first Case" I say

"Ok, well Tommy is like so obnoxious and I really truly do not like him at all. Johnny is okay I mean he is a little bit cocky. Jake is aright but like he is just too outspoken all the time. Tyler is ...I guess...cool I don't know." Says Casey

"So you like Tyler the best?" asks Sophia

"I guess so I mean there really isn't anything I hate about him" she says

"Okay you go now Soph" says Lauren

"I think Casey pretty much summed it up for all of us but um I still like Tommy the best and really don't know why" she says as we laugh

"I like Johnny the most...he is cool" says Lauren

"What about you Monica?" asks Casey

"Jake...I like Jake better than the other three" I say

"What's the matter Monica? You seem like you are thinking about something more" says Casey

"Well I just noticed something ironic. Casey picked Tyler and he is so nice and just like her. Sophia, you chose Tommy and you said you don't know why but it is because the both of you are so much alike...both obnoxious lol. And Lauren come on you and Johnny are like exactly the same...and me and Jake I mean we speak our minds."

"Wow she's right this is weird" says Lauren

"I am exhausted and what time is it?" asks Casey

"Five thirty...oh no I am late for dinner" says Lauren

"Bye girls see you tomorrow I have to go too" says Sophia

"K bye guys I better shut down in here too...it is getting dark" I say as I finish up and go inside my house

I go inside and my family is already eating dinner...oh no, here comes the lecture about how I am always late.

"Sorry mom and dad I was just in the tree house cleaning up, it took a while" I say

"That's okay but Monica you really have to try to get here, by five thirty sharp, it is a quarter to six" says my mom

"Don't worry about it honey, she just owes me a game of basketball now...that's all" my dad says to my mom

"Lol thanks daddy and be ready to get beat" I say

After dinner I went outside to play a game of basketball with my dad. We do this a lot and I usually beat him a lot.

"Let's go...eleven wins" I say as we start playing

"Oh no that's a foul come on" he says as I score on him

"No it is not are you serious? This is street ball not CYO" I say

"Bring it on little girl...check" he says and checks the ball

"It's five-nothing by the way" I say to my dad

"Now its five-two"

"That was one shot how do you wind up getting two points for one shot"

"It was a two pointer duh" he says

"Dad you are such a cheater oh my gosh" I say and laugh

"Yeah and even when I do cheat you still manage to kick my ass" he says

"True, so continue to cheat all you want, I am still going to win" I say

The game was over and I did win...again. The final score was eleven-eight.

"You put up a good fight dad" I say and high five him

"Good game kid, I am going to go shower don't stay out too long" he says and goes inside

I continue taking some shots and lay-ups

"Hey, mind if I join you?" someone says as I see them come onto my driveway

"Oh you scared me Jake...hi. Um yeah" I say and throw him the basketball

"I saw that game between you and your dad...impressive" he says

"Oh thanks yeah he always says that I am the son he never had lol"

"My dad would never play ball with me" he says

"Why?" I ask

"He is never home...he's always working" says Jake

"That's too bad...well if you ever wanna play I'd verse you" I say

"Yeah so I can get beat by a girl?" he says and laughs

"If you wanna then yeah sure" I say and laugh

"So I heard Tommy was causing some trouble earlier at the lake" says Jake

"Yeah it was whatever, you know the girls they make a big deal out of everything" I say

"Did he hurt you?" he asks

"No, even though he almost did, he landed like two inches next to me in the water"

"I know, me and the guys were up on the hill at the time" he says

"Oh ...pass" I say and he gives me the ball and I shoot it

"Listen I gotta run my mom is going to kill me if I am not home but uh how about a rain check on that one on one" he says

"K, I'll be practicing" I say and laugh

"You don't need any practice" he says and leaves

It is the next morning and I am so tired. It is Sunday so we have to go to church this morning and I cannot even get out of bed I am so exhausted.
I finally get out and meet the girls outside. We are supposed to go to church with our families and we do but we like to sit together.

"Are you okay Monica?" asks Lauren as we are sitting in church waiting for mass to start

"Yeah I am just so tired" I say and yawn

"You look it, were you up late?" she asks

"I was outside until like eleven"

"What? What were you doing out so late" she says in shock

"I was playing basketball with Jake" I say

"Jake? How did that happen?"

"Don't ask" I say and close my eyes

"You better not fall asleep during mass ... your mom can see you from here" says Lauren

After mass the four of us went to Sophia's for dinner. Her mom makes awesome pasta and meat balls.

"That was delicious, thank you" I say and we go in the basement

"Can I go on your computer Soph?" I ask

"Yeah sure" she says

I log on to my screen name and go to my mail. There is a new message from my cousin who lives in New York. The message said for me to call her right away. My dad left this morning to visit family in New York. I hope everything is ok
The girls were watching TV and the news came on:

"We are unsure how many people were injured or if any were killed right now but this terrible plane crash is going to be a hard one to solve" says a reporter

"Oh my gosh guys I have to go home" I say as I run out of Sophia's house

I run down the street as fast as I could and Jake almost runs me over with his bike.

"Whoa Monica slow down are you okay?" he says as he stops me

"I have to get home fast, can you give me a ride please" I say and get on his pegs

"Is everything okay?" he asks as we are riding

"I don't know...thank you I owe you one" I say as I get off and run into my house

I go inside and immediately hear my mom crying...oh no...this isn't good. What if my dad was in that plane crash and died.

"Mommy! Where are you?" I scream

I finally find her in her room hysterical crying and I start crying too. I knew what had happened and I was right.

"No! Mom he can't be... (Cry)...mom? Is this real? (Cry)...daddy..." I say hysterical crying while hugging her

"Sweetie I know, you saw the news?" she asks

"Yeah, why mom...why?" I say heartbroken

"I don't know baby, I don't know" she says crying

I go to the tree house and the girls are already there. They look like they have been crying. Lauren hugs me first for a long time and then the other join for a group hug.

"We are so sorry Monica" says Lauren as they start crying

"I can't take this guys...why did this have to happen to me" I say

"Everything happens for a reason Monica" says Casey

"Then why did this happen! Huh? What's the reason Casey! Last time I checked you still had a father...all of you do" I scream and run out of the tree house.

I decide to take a walk and I see Tommy, Johnny, and Tyler sitting on the porch of Tommy's house. They see my crying and I think they heard what happened

"Monica! Come here" says Tommy

I go over there and he gives me a hug

"We are so sorry to hear about your dad" he says

"Thanks guys, um do you know where Jake is?" I ask

"He went to look for you I think" says Tyler

"Okay thanks" I say and walk some more

I walk to the lake because it is really quiet there and I sometimes go there to think when I am feeling upset about something. The surroundings seem to calm me down
I arrive at the lake and I see Jake sitting by the swing

"Monica...oh my gosh come here" he says as he runs up to me and hugs me

While hugging me he says "Are you okay...everything is going to be ok" he says as I am crying on him

"Sorry I am getting your shirt all wet" I say as I look at him

He wipes the tears off my face and says "it's okay, come here" and hugs me more

"Please don't let go of me yet...I feel good right now"

"Ok" he says

I finally decide to stop hugging Jake and we sit on the swing

"I just feel like this isn't happening right now Jake" I say

"I know...it is so hard to believe" he says

"I just played basketball with him last night like what the hell" I say trying to hold back the tears

"You'll get through this...I'll help you, we all will. Me, Tyler, Johnny, Tommy, Sophia, Casey, Lauren..." he says

"Thank you, I know you guys will and I just screamed at the girls before and I shouldn't have." I say

"There they are now" he says as he turns around

I get up and hug them all. The boys were with them so I hug them too. Then Jake comes over and they all hug me at the same time.

"We have known you boys since we were six and I know there were times when we thought you were mean and annoying and we hated each other but deep down you guys are our best friends too...we all are...and I need you guys now the most" I say

"We got you Monica...always here for you" says Tommy

We continue the group hug.

It has been three weeks since that terrible tragedy. I am doing okay but I miss my dad more and more every single day.
Our group of friends increased as we now spend all of our time with the boys
Our relationships are getting closer as well. Lauren and Johnny are together and so are Sophia and Johnny. Casey and Tyler are being shy with each other but everyone knows they like each other. Jake and I have feelings for each other too but we just haven't told each other yet.
It is the first Monday of the month and every first Monday I would play basketball with my dad. We would do it all...one on one, around the world, 21, knock out, you name it we did it
I go to Jake's house.

"Jake?" I say when he opens the door

"What's up Monica?"

"Would you come and play basketball with me...please" I say

"It's the first Monday of the month" he says as he knows about what me and my dad used to do

I nod my head and he comes over to my house
We play a lot of games of basketball and I am beat
We sit on the driveway

"Good job...I gotta start working out more to keep up with you" says Jake

"Lol thanks"

"Monica I wanna ask you something" says Jake

I look at him and he says "Would you be my girlfriend?" he asks

I smile and kiss him

"I think I'll take that as a yes" he says

We make out on my drive way

"Why do they call it a driveway when you park on it" I say

"I don't know but we have parkways too but you drive on them" he says

I laugh and say "it should be switched, we should park on a parkway and drive on a driveway"

"You're silly...write a letter" he says and kisses me

The next day all of us were in the tree house.

"Let's make a promise right here, right now" says Lauren

"Monica read this please" says Johnny

"Everyone hold up your right hand. As part of our group of best friends this is what you promise to do. Always be true to one another...always be there for each other in good times and bad times...nobody lies...we always have to do fun things...we have to keep in touch as we get older, that is if we aren't all married to each other in a couple of years (everyone laughs and Jake nudges my arm)...an um remember we are best friends forever and together we can make it through anything and everything" I say as I finish reading the piece of paper Lauren gave me. She obviously wrote that speech

"To us" everyone says and toasts a glass of champagne

"Where did you get this champagne anyway?" asks Tyler

"My house...I found it in the stash" says Tommy

Everyone has a good time that night
This summer was one we will never forget.
Near or far we will always be best friends forever
(Monica, Lauren, Sophia, Casey, Jake, Johnny, Tommy, Tyler)
((*BFF*))

I MET MY BEST FRIENDS WHEN I WAS SIX YEARS OLD...