Hana and Ben swung together on the swings during recess for two blissful schooldays. Hana was glad to have a new friend. She thought, even, maybe, that she loved Ben and maybe one day they’d get married, just like Winston wanted from her.

“You’re fun to hang out with, Ben,” Hana said.

“You too, Hana!” Ben said, trying to swing higher. He couldn’t understand how Hana always swung higher than him.

“Do you think we can hang out forever?” she asked.

“Sure!” Ben answered. “You can be my wife! They hang out together forever, right?”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Hana thought about her dad’s wife and decided not to mention her.

She said, “Yeah! And when we get married you have to take over WPR and then get lots of money and run the company!”

Ben hopped out of the swing, proud that he had jumped so far. Hana jumped out shortly after, but she came up about two feet short. She even fell to her knees, but she didn’t cry.

“That sounds boring,” Ben said. “I don’t want to run a company. I want to be a policeman. So sorry, but I guess we can’t get married. See ya!” Ben ran off, and Hana realized that recess was over. She was still on her knees in the sand, and even though it was soft, when she stood up, her knees were covered in blood.

But she didn’t cry.