(Avery)
We finally decided it was time to leave the garden. Jackson, Elias, Luca, and I gathered our things, laughing a little more at some silly joke Elias made. I felt a warm glow inside from the fun we had, and I did not want the day to end.
As we walked toward the cars, I saw a girl coming toward Jackson from across the parking lot. She ran up to him and hugged him tight. Jackson’s face lit up, and he smiled broadly.
“Hey, I am so sorry I could not spend more time with you,” he said, his voice bright. “I have been busy with stuff.”
The girl laughed. “I understand. It is fine. You always seem busy.”
They stayed close, talking, and laughing together. I watched quietly, feeling a strange twist in my chest. I hated that I was watching this and feeling odd about it. I hated that my min
