Chapter Text
Naomi and Matthew have known each other since they both were in elementary school. Willow Creak was a small town; there were only so many people to meet. One day, in Mrs. Perkins' class, the second graders came to class seeing a new seating chart. For almost the entire class time, Mrs. Perkins could hear the children complaining.
"Mrs. Perkins! I want to sit next to Rebecca!"
"And I want to sit next to Stacy," another child complains.
"Kids, come on! Isn't it fun to meet new people and make new friends?" A small sigh leaves her mouth. "Everybody up."
Mrs. Perkins was trying hard to calm the children down.
"Devin, you sit next to Rebecca,"
The sound of chairs scratching the floor fill the room as the children wait to be shown to their seats.
"Naomi, you now sit next to..Matthew,"
"Aaron goes next to Haiiden."
Eventually, all the kids found their way to their seats.
This simple change in seats would change Naomi and Matthew's lives. A new friendship flourished under this seating chart.
Since that day Matthew always asked Naomi to play during recess and shared his coloring pencil with her.
"Naomi, can we be friends forever?" Matthew said with the biggest gummy smile.
"Hmmm..." thinking for a second. "Yes, pinky promise, to always play at recess everyday?"
"Promise." They locked pinkies.
After school, Naomi and Matthew were the last to get picked up. They spent their time talking the entire time they waited. Matthew's father eventually came to pick him up.
"Come on, kiddo," his father called out to him from the car.
Matthew joined his father in the car.
"Bye, Nana."
Looking up, Naomi saw Matthew waving at her from the backseat. A measly smile displayed across her face before waving back. Her mother had been gone for a while—two and a half weeks. She was meant to be back by now, ready to pick up her daughter.
"Where is your mom, sweety?"
Mrs. Perkins appeared behind Naomi. Everyday she'd stay after school making sure all the children had been escorted home.
"My mommy should be here soon. She's just taking a little long," Naomi replied weakly.
Half an hour passed.
"You know where you live, right?"
"Mhm.."
The feeling of coldness from Mrs. Perkin's white bonded leather seats after sitting down, the buzz of the car against Naomi's head filling her ears, hot air blowing out the vents. Before she knew it, it was time. Mrs. Perkins parked in the driveway of Naomi's home. Not a single light was on inside. Mrs. Perkins opened her door and went around the back to open Naomi's door. They walked to the front door.
KNOCK KNOCK
"I have my key. I can let myself in,"
"Are you sure, sweetheart?"
"Yeah, it's okay."
Her hand reaches into her backpack, pulling out a house key. The key went in smoothly, allowing an easy entry.
"Thank you, Mrs. Perkins."
"It's no problem, kiddo."
And just like that, Naomi was sobbing in her room. This was not the first time she'd spent the day alone at home. Ever since her parents divorce it seemed as if both of them had less time for her. A knock could be heard coming from outside Naomi's window.
"Naomi? What's wrong?"
Matthew came to visit Naomi, seemingly wanting to play.
"I'm okay. What are you doing here?"
She tried her hardest to not make eye contact with Matthew. She pulled her cover up and over her entire face. Her tears weren't meant to be seen. Although she doesn't want her sadness to be recognized, Matthew sees her. He understands.
"Do you want to play? We can go to the swing set!"
"Okay!"
She walked around to the front door and locked it. Matthew grabbed her hand and they walked together to their new favorite spot.