The next few days went by like normal. I got to meet Nicole, finally, and decided she was nice; I didn't know all that much about her. Garrett hadn't hung around me too much, but that didn't surprise me. I didn't care too much about that anyways. Darren had spent all of his free time with me. I was now his "best friend." I liked being friends with him and all, but there's just some things that you can't tell to Darren, and he is not girly. I know I've mentioned that before, but that's just the one thing I can't get over. Darren's been better lately; I think the fact that I know about his brother makes him feel better, even if that does sound strange. And if he ever did want to bring up that subject, I would be right here. Darren has helped me with so much, so a little favor like that wouldn't hurt me at all. I share his sympathy.

The weekend was finally here at last, and I was excited! Finally I wouldn't have to be around hundreds of people; just Darren. My parents accused me several times of liking him; I wouldn't be surprised if every time I left, they made jokes about our wedding arrangements. But none of it mattered to me because I knew where I placed for Darren, and he knows where he places for me. And that is not anywhere near dating or in a relationship. When I knocked on the door to Darren's house, he came up to meet me. His blonde hair swished back and forth as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me outside. He just ran while I stumbled behind, never breaking speed. So I shrugged and let him drag me. He stopped me at a place between two trees. Boards were stuck together sturdily and formed into the shape of a small house. I broke into a huge smile and I started "yaying" excitedly.
"Welcome to our treehouse headquarters!" called Darren as he started to climb the ladder up to the top. I followed behind him.
"Just wait till you see the view!" he exclaimed.
And when I did, I was out of breath at the sight. (partly because of all of the running) the sky was halfway in the sky, and it shone beams of light on the pink "cotton candy" clouds. The fall trees were brimming with orange and yellow leaves that showed eccentric detail. I was going to love this treehouse for sure.
"Who built this?" I asked, amazed.
Darren smirked.
"Me!" he held his hands out, waiting for the surprised reaction from me.
"I was asking because the boards are really rickety," I joked.
He put his hands back at his side and gave me one of his "are you serious?" looks. Then he started smiling and we both started laughing. We ate sandwiches there for lunch and went down to feed the crust to squirrels. Then we went to my house and went to the pond. We laughed and talked there, too. After a while we'd go inside and eat the supper my parents had fixed for us. We did that for several weekends repeatedly, each time just as new and exciting as the last. We called them our "adventure days" instead of weekends. Calling it "weekends" could just get so boring. I remembered back to before Darren had ever moved here. I had consented with being isolated and alone. I decided then that Darren was one of the best things that had happened to me. And I didn't mean that in some gushy, romantic way. I meant it in the way you feel when you've found a real best friend.