Bambi (Matt Sturniolo)

1.

"Y/N, would you like to go next?"

You lifted your  eyes from the pink notebook and looked around to find the whole class staring at you. She saw Maya George walk back to her desk, cracking a smile and thanking the other kids for praising her story about her birthday party.

"Y/N," the teacher called again, this time raising both eyebrows at you, as you slowly sunk into your chair and shaking your head fast.

Before  class,, you had wanted to share your story for the weekend assignment. But after hearing all the other kids talk about cool things like trips to Disney, vacations, and parties, you were afraid that your story wasn't interesting enough.

"It's okay, Y/N. Come up here and don't be shy," the teacher said with a smile, leaving you no choice but to bring your pink notebook to the front of the class.

"I...Uh...My story is..."

As you began to read aloud the words on the page, you could hear the other kids laughing at her. You wished to disappear from the face of Earth and never return again.

Just as you were about to go for the latter option, you accidentally met a pair of blue eyes in the front row. The tiny girl named Alanna gave you two thumbs-ups and the brightest smile you had ever seen, and that was all the encouragement you needed right then. Even though you didn't believe in yourself, now you  knew at least one person in that room might.

The teacher hushed the class, telling the to be quiet, so you could start. "Go on" she said. "Tell us, what does true happiness mean to you?"

With a shaky voice and eyes on the notebook, you began, "my definition of true happiness..is the boy next door. His name is Matt Sturniolo"

Everyone, including the teacher was in shock. They expected a less interesting version of Maya's story, which was something about pink skirts and tiaras, not a boy. But then, the class fell silent and listened to your story.

~

You met Matt a few weeks ago.

Your Mom and Dad were fighting again. You couldn't remember the last time they laughed during or kissed each other, like parents should do. You thought about it a lot. But now, you were used to their arguments, you accepted that not all parents were supposed to love each other.

They fought about money or about people's names you couldn't recognise. But that night, from your room, you heard glass break against the wall and remembered how your Mom always said; "a relationship is like glass, just like glass, can't be fixed when it's broken"

You left your room that night and ran to the backyard, where you could escape from the events indoors, from the things you couldn't fix.

Your Mom tried to grow a garden, but it had been  too long since she watered the flowers or mowed the lawn. But you loved it. You loved to spot the wildflowers here and there, like little surprises the neglected garden. But you still couldn't help but fantasise about what was on the other side of the fence.

The Sturniolo's backyard was a dream. The family grew all types of flowers..they had it all. You were always jealous of the kids over there for the magical place. You never really met them, but you'd seen them a few times. 4 boys, all older than you.

But the reason you were so obsessed with their garden, was because of their treehouse. You never saw them play in it, and the big tree leaned towards your house more, so you assumed it also belonged to you. Ever since you discovered it, it had become your favourite place.

That night, as you returned to the treehouse, you realised you weren't alone.

"What are you doing in here, kid?"