Before We Say Goodbye

CHAPTER 2: The Boy on the Roof

Eight years earlier, Emma had believed the world was simple.

She was seventeen.

Daniel was eighteen.

They were best friends.

That was enough.

Their houses stood across from each other on Willow Street, separated by a narrow road lined with old trees.

They had grown up together.

When Emma learned how to ride a bicycle, Daniel ran behind her.

When Daniel broke his arm playing basketball, Emma spent three weeks carrying his schoolbooks.

When Emma's parents argued, Daniel sat beside her on the roof until she stopped crying.

They knew everything about each other.

At least, they thought they did.

That summer, they spent almost every evening on Emma's rooftop.

Daniel had discovered a cheap disposable camera and treated it like a professional piece of equipment.

"Smile," he said one evening.

Emma turned away.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you take terrible pictures."

"I do not."

"You do."

Daniel raised the camera.

"One picture."

"No."

"Please."

"No."

"Emma."

"Daniel."

"Smile."

She laughed.

Click.

The camera captured her smile.

Daniel lowered it.

"There."

"What?"

"That's the picture."

"You haven't even developed it."

"I know it's good."

Emma rolled her eyes.

"You are ridiculous."

Daniel smiled.

"So are you."

They sat side by side.

The sunset spread across the sky.

For several minutes, neither spoke.

Then Daniel asked, "Where do you think we'll be ten years from now?"

Emma thought about it.

"Somewhere exciting."

"That's vague."

"I don't know."

"Okay. I'll go first."

He pointed toward the horizon.

"I'll be an architect."

Emma smiled.

"You hate math."

"I'll hire someone who likes math."

"That isn't how architecture works."

"It will work for me."

She laughed.

"What about you?"

Emma looked at him.

"I'll have my own design studio."

Daniel nodded.

"I can see that."

"Really?"

"You've always been good at drawing."

"Drawing isn't the same as design."

"It will be for you."

She smiled.

"Maybe."

Daniel leaned back.

"And we'll still be friends."

Emma's smile faded slightly.

"Of course."

"Promise?"

She held out her little finger.

"Promise."

Daniel wrapped his finger around hers.

"Always."

Neither of them knew that sometimes the smallest promises became the ones that hurt the most when they were broken.