Growing up, Keith was always happy. He was always laughing and cracking jokes, he had a laugh that was contagious. You couldn't hear it and not laugh yourself. But one day everything changed.

I was ten, he was eleven. We had met at the park not far from my house to play. But when I got there, and I saw Keith, I could clearly tell something was wrong. I made my way over to the bench he was sitting on and sat down beside him.

"What's wrong Keith?" He sighed before answering. "This morning, my parents told me that we have to move." I couldn't hide the shocked look on my face. When I responded my voice was small. "Did... did they say why?" He only shook his head in reply before standing up. "They said that I have to get back as soon as possible, so I can start packing. They only let me come so I could say good bye." I stood up as I felt tears begin to form. I hugged him tighter than I ever had before, I felt him hug me back. "I don't want to loose you Keith." He squeezed me a bit tighter. "I don't want to loose you either, Monica..." He pulled away from the hug, "but I don't have a choice." I blinked a couple of times, attempting to keep my tears from falling. "I know, I'll miss you." He gave a sad smile, "I'll miss you too."

And with that he turned around, and walked away. At first I just watched him leave. Then, I felt a tear roll down my cheek. That's all it took for me to start crying as my best friend walked away. I turned around and started running back to my house. As soon as my mother saw me she asked what was wrong, but I didn't answer. I just ran to her and hugged her, she hugged me back while running her fingers through my hair.

That was the last time I would see Keith for a very long time...