Flashbacks:

'Josh! Get your butt out here and meet our new neighbor.' Mommy said to me with a scold on her lips and a smile in her kind, warm blue eyes.

My small house was so huge in my eyes, with such a warm family. I couldn't wait for daddy to come home from work. He promised he'd teach me how to fish!

I ran out to hug her, squeezing with all the might and strength a 5 year old could.

She took my tiny hand in her warm ones, leading me out in the front of the cream colored house.

Just as we were in the front of our house I was met by a big, tall man with a grin plastered on his rugged face; he looked nice.

He turned his dark green eyes to something or someone on the back of him and out came a little angel by his side.

Her curly chest-nut hair fluttered on the air and her beautiful stark, big green eyes entranced him even more. Her baby blue dress with a bow, looked flowy and just perfect. And her shy smile just made her look even more innocent and pretty.

I tugged the hem of my mommy's dress and she looked down with her everlasting smile.

'What Honey?' She asked sweetly.

'Is she an angel?' I asked in a whisper.

'No my love, she's not.' She said, beaming at me.

'She sure looks like one...' I said in a dreamy state.

I took a step towards the little angel and stretched a hand out.

'Hi, my name's Josh. What's yours?' I said never being one to be shy.

The little girl looked up to her father, grasping harder her daddys' pants. The kind looking man gave her a reassuring smile.

She slowly took a step forward and put her tiny, soft hand in his.

'My names Kimberly.' I gave her a loopsided grin, showing my toothless fronts. She as well grinned back showing that she also didn't have her two front teeth like me.

'Come on, let's play!' I excitedly propposed, pulling her to me.

Sounds of laughter echoed through the day, gambling about, and taking turns to push each other on Kimberlys' backyard swings.

She had like an amusement park here!

My parents weren't poor but they also weren't wealthy, so it's called in between those two. Although, I didn't care about any of those luxuries! I had mommy and daddy always, giving me their unconditional love.

Someone shoved me playfully to the ground. I turned around hearing endless giggles. 'Tag! You're it.' She yelled giggling.

'I'm going to get you!' I shouted, chasing her around her humongous backyard.

* * *

'Josh. Don't cry, please don't cry. I'm here, I'm here...' Kimberly embraced me tightly, letting it all out.

'You don't understand. You have the perfect family, while my family's gone!

Mom won't smile no more, and all dad does is drink and drink and abuse verbally and physically from me. It's not fair. They weren't like this!'

'We're only 10 Joshie, we have time. They'll get better.' She reassured.

'You won't leave?' I said as I looked straight into her dazzling eyes.

'Never.' I kissed her on the cheek and saw how her cheeks turned pink.

Aww, how adorable!

'My little angel.' She scrunched up her small nose bemused.

'Huh?' Kimmie asked.

'Something I'll tell you later... I love you Kimmie.'

'I love you too Joshie.' And that's the first time she kissed me on the cheek. I could feel myself turn redder by the minute.

Kimmie and I were inseparable; never one without the other. We were even on the school together! Awesome right?

Life was turning harsher when it churned to me though.

Mom was turning dimmer and dimmer, disappearing into a void where no matter how hard I attempted to get her back, she just wouldn't come back.

We had so many conflicts because of the bills and we were losing the house, we were losing every thing. They tried to keep it away from me to no avail. Even being 10, I was pretty mature for my age.

Kimberly though, had always been there supporting me in every step of the way. Like I also supported her, and defended her against her bullies.

Kimberly only had her father but it was like having both with him. He always had an easy smile with his tan complexion and green eyes.

He accepted me as if a son, as if I was his. He was like my father but- unfortunately he was not.