But one day, Aven grew ill. He couldn’t play board games or climb trees, he was bed ridden. And a few weeks later, he passed away. Finch couldn’t believe it. He thought it was some cruel joke, that Aven would jump out and say “surprise! I’m ok!”. But he didn’t.

     It had been weeks since Aven’s burial, and a part of Finch still couldn’t believe it was true. He hadn’t left his house much in that time, or his room. Walking around felt as if he was being weighed down to the ground. His favorite foods no longer seemed to taste good.

     He wanted to cry but it was as if there were no more tears left. Anytime he’d want to get something to eat, cooking even simple things felt like climbing a mountain. Days seem to pass in a strange fashion, either too fast or too slow.

     It had been weeks since Aven’s burial, and a part of Finch still couldn’t believe it was true. He hadn’t left his house much in that time, or his room. Walking around felt as if he was being weighed down to the ground. His favorite foods no longer seemed to taste good.

     He wanted to cry but it was as if there were no more tears left. Anytime he’d want to get something to eat, cooking even simple things felt like climbing a mountain. Days seem to pass in a strange fashion, either too fast or too slow.

They looked after each other, played board games together, climbed trees together, and always looked out for each other. They had been friends as long as they could remember and knew everything about the other. 

     But one day, Aven grew ill. He couldn’t play board games or climb trees, he was bed ridden. And a few weeks later, he passed away. Finch couldn’t believe it. He thought it was some cruel joke, that Aven would jump out and say “surprise! I’m ok!”. But he didn’t. 

     It had been weeks since Aven’s burial, and a part of Finch still couldn’t believe it was true. He hadn’t left his house much in that time, or his room. Walking around felt as if he was being weighed down to the ground. His favorite foods no longer seemed to taste good.

     He wanted to cry but it was as if there were no more tears left. Anytime he’d want to get something to eat, cooking even simple things felt like climbing a mountain. Days seem to pass in a strange fashion, either too fast or too slow.

      Even though it hurt to think about Aven, he always wanted to remember the fun they had. He had been a part of almost every part of his life, trying to forget him would be trying to forget so much of his life.

     It took a long time, but after a while he felt better. He still missed Aven, all the time, but he was able to cook for himself and do things on his own. His mother gave him an idea, which he planned on doing that day.

     Finch’s family would visit and try to help him feel better, but until now he hadn’t let them help that much. The next time they came, he talked to them about how he felt and how he was having a hard time doing things. After that, they helped him around the house, they helped to keep it clean, they helped to cook, and they listened to Finch when he needed someone to talk to.

     It took a long time, but after a while he felt better. He still missed Aven, all the time, but he was able to cook for himself and do things on his own. His mother gave him an idea, which he planned on doing that day.

     Finch’s family would visit and try to help him feel better, but until now he hadn’t let them help that much. The next time they came, he talked to them about how he felt and how he was having a hard time doing things. After that, they helped him around the house, they helped to keep it clean, they helped to cook, and they listened to Finch when he needed someone to talk to.

     It took a long time, but after a while he felt better. He still missed Aven, all the time, but he was able to cook for himself and do things on his own. His mother gave him an idea, which he planned on doing that day.

     Finch dug a hole in the grass in front of his house. Once it was clear he placed an apple tree sapling in the hole. He covered the roots in dirt, and watered it. 

     He looked at his work, “Once this grows it’ll be just like the trees we used to climb,” he said, as if talking to Aven. “You would love this if you were here… But you’re not. You’ll always be my best friend, and every time I see this tree, I’ll think of you.” Finch smiled, it was a sad smile, but the best he could offer the small tree that he planted for his best friend.

     Finch dug a hole in the grass in front of his house. Once it was clear he placed an apple tree sapling in the hole. He covered the roots in dirt, and watered it. 

     He looked at his work, “Once this grows it’ll be just like the trees we used to climb,” he said, as if talking to Aven.

     Finch dug a hole in the grass in front of his house. Once it was clear he placed an apple tree sapling in the hole. He covered the roots in dirt, and watered it. 

“You would love this if you were here… But you’re not. You’ll always be my best friend, and every time I see this tree, I’ll think of you.” Finch smiled, it was a sad smile, but the best he could offer the small tree that he planted for his best friend.

The End

The End

     He looked at his work, “Once this grows it’ll be just like the trees we used to climb,” he said, as if talking to Aven. “You would love this if you were here… But you’re not. You’ll always be my best friend, and every time I see this tree, I’ll think of you.” Finch smiled, it was a sad smile, but the best he could offer the small tree that he planted for his best friend. 

The End