Age 10

"Best friends forever?" Nia holds out her pinky.

"Forever." I lock my pinky with hers.

Age 11

When are you coming back to school? Nia texts me.

_ _

I don’t know.

I just need to get better then I’ll be able to come back

Age 12

"Hey," Nia gives me a small smile.

It’s been a year since I fell ill.

I’m still ill.

I will always be ill.

"Hi."

The time apart has caused something to shift between us. I can feel it.

A lot can change in a year.

We’re two different people now.

And we’ll never be the same.