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There were some days that it felt like the world was moving so slowly that one had to wonder if any time was passing at all. Today was one of those days. In fact if Ian didn't see the golden brown leaves fall from the trees, he too could imagine that the world was at a standstill. Although the exact reason didn't have anything to do with the day being boring. In fact up until then it had been an ordinary day indeed.
No, it all started with a question. From a red-headed girl, with a wide smile and sparkly hair.
Silence was all that stood on Ian's face, as Tamarack anxiously awaited a response jumping up and down on her tiptoes as she did her eyes eager for a response. As the seconds seemingly passed, and it did so slowly, the moments before this all but vanished from Ian's poor little head. The girl not known for being patient gently held up her hand and waved it in front of his face. "Hello-?" She questioned, wondering if anyone was home inside his mind or if her favorite person has decided to go and leave behind his body.
Desperately Ian tried to recall what had brought the both of them to this point of conversation.
The two had been walking home from school, that much was true. Qiu the third and final member of the cul-de-sac kids had been "chauffeured" or however the rich insisted it was spelled, off to ballet lessons. He WAS the nutcracker after all, as he so humbly enjoyed to brag to anyone near. Humbly.
No it had just been the two of them, Tamarack Baumann and Ian Perez, who walked home. Ian knew his Ma needed to work late again, and arrangements were already made for Mrs. Baumann or "Omi" as Tamarack referred to her or "Granny" to anyone else that wasn't old enough to know what a W2 was. Although he knew this was how it normally was it didn't make being separated from his Ma any easier, no matter how much time passed. That was the agreed upon plan, that was what Ian was expecting to happen. However nothing could ever predict the actions or ideas of Tamarack Baumann. In fact it might just be possible that Tamarack herself had no idea on what she got herself up too either.
"HELLO?" Tamarack shouted, waking Ian up out of his once non-verbal state, as he quickly blinked alive for what felt like a long time. Tamarack's worried expression was the first thing that came back into focus. His eyes blinking several times, as his cheeks grew red from the overly concerned attention he was receiving, covering his face the words "I'm fine!" managed to escape him. Not trying to sound rude though he quickly chimed in with "Th-hank you for checking though!" for good measure. This pleased the little girl, although her gaze didn't drop she was still expecting an answer after all.
"Ian, let's have an adventure!" She exclaimed, the happiness in her voice apparent as she stated that sentiment for the second time.
Adventures were almost a normal part of Ian's life since moving to Golden Grove with his Ma so many months ago. He was always ready for them! Any turn they would take, he was just happy to go along for the ride. From being shown the "special place" and throwing Cashews with Tamarack, to playing hide and seek and getting lost in the woods. And of course who could forget the time Tamarack had thrown a tea party when grounded and invited Ian over. Although Ian was unsure if that was a memory worth revisiting given the drama that had all transpired around it even if it did have a happy ending.
No adventure was something often Ian was dragged into one way or another, however the shocking part of this exchange was the fact that Tamarack was asking him directly. Normally the two of them stumbled into one, one way or another. Sure there were times the kids grouped up to meet but it seemed like this one was a more on a whim sort of venture.
"Um... Sure?" Ian tried to force out of his mouth, he has always told himself that he'd be willing to do anything with his friends, he loved spending time with them and all the fun that came with it. The fact that he had friends in the first place wasn't something he took granted ever. In times they've reassured him, he felt obligated to do things for them in term because... They meant so much to him, more than words he could ever find. Tamarack especially.
"Okay, okay." Was all Tamarack responded to, but her sly smile Ian knew something was up. However he didn't manage to get anything out of her until the finally the feet that had originally stood still managed to walk them back to the neighborhood, and stood in front of Tamarack's house. It hadn't even registered to him that they were already there if Ian didn't find her hand being dragged away from the house by that certain special friend herself. Or this airplane mystery that had taken him to meeting her in the first place.
"Come on let's go on an adventure!!!" Tamarack cried as she pulled him further and further away from the house, they hadn't even made it near her yard before he found the distance getting wider and wider. Confusion rang onto his face, then concern as he acted as a rag-doll unable to fight against the whims of his neighbor. Normally he would enjoy this type of adventure if a mystery was involved, but not knowing what that mystery was exactly wasn't as enjoyable. He merely anxiously followed along, the worried etched deep into his mind. "But- but what about our backpacks?" He questioned, the only phrase he could find himself asking as his face flushed.
Tamarack merely huffed, and Ian found himself being dragged away even faster now. "NO! We gotta go this way!! Come on!"
And so the off the two went, as Ian found himself in the forest behind the houses. Once the once familiar street had become hidden behind the various autumnal shades of brown, oranges, yellows, and reds did Tamarack finally relax her grasp. Although she had yet to let go of his hand entirely, something Ian didn't mind at all.
Eventually Tamarack let go, and a sudden 'Ah!' sound was made, and she pulled away and quickly giving him one of her famous wide smiles instead. Tamarack observed her and Ian's surroundings and took in the beauty of the forest that they found themselves encased in. Clearly giddy Tamarack threw her arms out and open wide as she spun herself into circles. Before collapsing into a convenient nearby pile of leaves.
"Tamarack-!" Ian found himself shouting, quickly reaching out in worry. The pile of leaves gave out a fit of giggles in response, as a nearby hand reached out to his only to pull him down as well. Although the shock wore off soon enough, and a slight smile escaped from Ian's previous nerves. The two stayed put in the pile for a few moments before it was decided if an adventure was ever to occur the two couldn't stay put forever, especially when daylight was scarce.
"Hmmm..." Tamarack merely looked around now deep in thought. It seemed as though Tamarack hadn't considered what to do after leading Ian off into the woods, and now that they were past that moment she was stuck. It seemed now it was time for Ian to come up for something to do, he let out a fond smile. "Hey Tamarack, maybe we can go on an investigation...?"
"OHHHH" Her eyes sparkled with the mere mention of an investigation before pausing. "Investigating what though...?"
"Um, what about the investigation...." Ian didn't want to automatically point out how strange it was that Tamarack was trying to keep him away from her house. Oh no, he hoped she wasn't grounded again and get in trouble last time. But still, if he asked to hold it close to her house she'd out-right refuse so.... "THE MISSING FROG!" He declared, making a cool pose and everything as he said it. Like a real detective pose! He pointed forward, puffed out his chest to appear cool.
"YEAH!" Tamarack responded back with equal enthusiasm, granted Ian probably could have said it was investigating a stray rock and she would have responded with equal energy. That was just Tamarack. It was part of her endless charm.
The two set off, it necessarily didn't matter what the frog looked like. All they knew that it was missing! So whoever found the frog first would be given the reward! What was the reward? Yeah they didn't know, but they were sure they would figure it out! And so the two raced off, still in sight of each other. Not leaving a stone, log, branch, or even leaf unturned. Sure the both of them knew it was probably a battle they weren't going to win anytime today. Given the bright sun streaming down towards both of them, but in the moment things didn't matter because they had each other. Whether it was inside, or out. Somewhere close or far, as long as Tamarack and Ian had each other any time spent was good. That included Qiu, and even Baxter or Darren, everyone held such an important place in Ian's heart. But sometimes when it was just him and Tamarack it felt... Magical.
Eventually the two wore down, and Tamarack had a hum around herself seeming pleased. "Alright it's time to go back!" She declared definitely, as she brushed off the sticks, and Leafs that had clung onto her clothes. Once again grabbing ahold of Ian's hand forcing him to be dragged away, not that he minded too much now. The two had fun on their adventure, although sadly no frog was caught however the case could also be reopened another day...
~~~
The two reached Tamarack's house, and Mr. Baumann was at the front porch, it shouldn't have been too strange considering it was HIS property after all. But the closer the two got the more suspicious Tamarack's smile grew, as though he was trying to hold a bubble in desperately despite the fact it was about to pop. "Nice of the two of you to show up." Mr. Baumann said not so ominously, although Ian could swear the hairs on his neck stood up slightly.
"You ready?" Mr. Baumann's gaze fell towards his granddaughter, who nodded along eagerly jumping up and down in anticipation. Clearly his throat Mr. Baumann led the two of them through the door, and carefully took their bags as though he was servant, before leading them to the backyard.
Oh!
The once bare backyard besides the tire swing and chairs and table that Ian was used to seeing was... different. Streamers found themselves wrapped around the trees, with a large old quilt spread out in front of the swing. The table was decorated with a tablecloth and Tamarack's tea set was placed on it alongside a tray of actual tea-snacks. Mini-sandwiches, cookies, small cakes, mangos?! Did Tamarack really get mangos just for him?! And of course the actual tea itself with honey and milk being in fancy containers and not the ordinary packaging. Standing behind the table was a very proud Mrs. Baumann. "Surprise!" Her cheerful voice answered to Ian's shocked expression.
"SURPRISE!" Tamarack called out slightly later than her Omi, her laughter that had been not to subtlety finally escaped it's cell and the whole back yard seemed to echo it back.
"What is this-?" Ian couldn't help but ask, it wasn't his birthday. Was it Tamaracks-?! He hadn't even gotten her a present, oh no!
As if sensing his fear, Tamarack quickly went to squish his worries away. "You remember how I invited you over for my secret tea party when I was ground?" Ian nodded in response, once again not an experience he felt like he could ever forget even if to that day of the event made him too nervous to think about. Still Tamarack continued... "Well, I thought it was only fair that I invite you to proper tea party as a thank you!"
Ah, it suddenly made sense why Tamarack was so insistent on going on an adventure earlier that day. Mr. and Mrs. Baumann were probably setting up the surprise in the backyard, and Tamarack couldn't risk Ian seeing it before the big reveal. It was, touching.
Still more good news was to be shared, and it was done so by Mrs. Baumann. "I also spoke to Mrs. Lin, as soon as Qiu's ballet classes end he'll be making his way over soon." She hummed.
Wow! That was, amazing! Ian didn't know what to feel, it was almost overwhelming in a sense, Tamarack wanted to celebrate a tea party in order to appreciate him? His face felt hot, as she glanced towards the beaming faces all looking towards him. Eagerly awaiting a response, Tamarack especially as she was once again bouncing up and down. What could he say? And so he didn't, instead he grabbed ahold of Tamarack and pulled her into his arms. Tamarack didn't even look shocked at this outcome, and held him equally hard, the two stood there for a good moment before letting go.
"So who wants tea?!" Granny asked pleased, as she begun to set up the tea-cups and Mr. Baumann returned from the house with a kettle. Apparently he had left earlier, and the two didn't notice. There wasn't enough space to actually sit at the table, besides there was only two seats so when Qiu arrived he would be unfair, so the kids were made to sit on the quilt. Idle chatter was made between the four of them, as snacks and conversation was passed around. Ian was left alone with his thoughts of the day.
Golden Grove wasn't as bad as he originally thought it was when he first moved here, in fact especially now he would consider himself the luckiest boy in the world.
It felt special to share a moment like this with one of his best friends, and to have the other one soon on the way. It made his heart swell up.
Ian hoped that whatever spell that had been cast earlier in the day that paused time, would do the same for this moment now. As Tamarack wrapped him around in a hug, he smiled and gladly clung back, enough time for Mrs. Baumann to take a picture of the pair.
Ian silently wish for another day, as he cheered to another day full of adventure, and tea.