Fourteen years ago...

"Mommy, I don't wanna."

"Well Madalynn, it's called being good neighbors. When someone moves in next door, you welcome them."

"But I saw that little boy through the window, and he stuck his tongue out at me. He's a meanie." I stomped my foot in defiance, trying to hold what ground my small size nine shoe stood on.

"Oh Hun, I'm sure he was just playing. Now, hand me the cookies and let's go." 

I handed over the cookies my mom bought and put on our own special plate, but I'm not sure why we didn't just keep it in the package. The meanie across the street didn't deserve cookies on a special plate, that's for sure.

I trailed behind my mommy as we made our way next door and waited as she knocked. When the door opened, a pretty woman with short brown hair appeared giving my mom a smile and then looking down at me with one.

"Hello, can I help you?"

"We're your neighbors. I just wanted to come welcome you to our neighborhood." My mom held out the plate of cookies. "I made these for you. I hope you like chocolate chip."

"But mommy, we bo--" I felt a pinch on the back of my arm, shutting me right up.

The pretty lady grabbed the plate and smiled even bigger. "Goodness gracious, that is so kind. Thank you. Come on in. I'm Claire."

We walked inside and followed her into the kitchen where she set the plate down on the counter. "I'm Rachel and this is my daughter Madalynn."

Claire turned toward me and leaned down. "Well, aren't you the prettiest little thing. How old are you Madalynn?"

I liked being called pretty. Claire was nice and smelled of vanilla. I also liked vanilla, so I decided I liked her too. "I'm this many." I said, holding out six fingers.

"Well look at that. I have a son who is seven. Maybe you guys can be friends." She cooed, tapping me on the nose. "Liam! Come downstairs please!"

A few seconds later, the meanie who had stuck his tongue out at me through the window came walking in and stood by his mom. I tucked myself behind my mommy's colorful skirt and peeked out.

"Madalynn, come on out from behind me and say hello." My mom tugged on my arm, and I slowly stepped back out from behind her.

"Hello."

"Hey." The voice of the meanie said.

"Why don't you guys go out back and play?" Claire suggested.

"That's sounds nice. Go on Madalynn, go make friends and play nice."

Pssh, it wasn't me she had to warn to play nice.

I heard Liam groan and watched as he rolled his eyes. "Do I have to? Girls are no fun."

See.

"Liam James Tucker! That isn't a kind thing to say. You need to show our guests respect. Now, please go outside and play nice."

He narrowed his eyes at me like I was the one with the stupid idea in the first place and turned to the sliding door that led out back. I followed him outside to the swing set where he roughly sat down. I looked at the empty, black swing next to him, and then to him swaying back and forth. I started toeing the grass with my arms behind my back, watching him as I waited for him to say I could sit down.

He eventually looked up at me and held my eyes, neither of us saying anything. I started feeling all weird inside, unsure of what to do or say. Finally, he smiled.

"Well, aren't ya gonna swing?"

I smiled back and sat down on the swing. At first, I just swayed side to side, but then I started moving my little legs to make the swing go. He matched my movements, each time pushing a little harder than me as he went higher, and each time looking back at me with his eyebrow raised. I took it as a challenge and tried to go higher, but his stupid long legs pushed him faster.

"You'll never get as high as me!" Liam yelled.

"Yeah huh! Just watch!" I kicked my legs out and tucked them back as fast as I could, over and over again. I squealed in delight as I went so high, I felt like I was flying. "Look Liam, I'm flying! I'm fly--" The breath was suddenly knocked out of me as my face planted in the hard ground.

Tears welled in my eyes, and I was crying before I realized what was happening. Liam was suddenly at my side as he tried helping me up. In the same moment, the back door slid open, and my mom and Claire came rushing toward me. I hugged onto my mommy as she patted my back to get me to calm down.

"What happened baby?"

"Liam, Hunny, were you swinging too high? How many times have I told you to not to do that?" His mom scolded.

He looked over to me and then back to his mom, hanging his head down in embarrassment. I pulled back from my mom and wiped the tears off my face. "No, we weren't swinging too high. It was an accident. I just slipped off."

Liam's head popped back up and he looked at me, a slow smile spread on his face.

"Is that what happened Liam?"

"Yep. It was just an accident. She's pretty clumsy."

My smile quickly turned into a frown. I suddenly wanted to punch him in that stupid face of his. My mom gave me another kiss and her and Claire turned back toward the house, calling us in for some cookies and lemonade.

I got up, wiping my sniffles off on my sleeve, and started following my mom when I felt Liam right behind me. I stopped walking and crossed my arms over my chest. I went to yell at him to get away from me, that he was a meanie-head and I didn't want to be his friend, but the minute my eyes landed on his swirly golden-green ones, and I saw his wide grin, I swallowed my words. He leaned in, that smirk still present.

"You flew." He whispered, before pulling back, those green and gold eyes sparkling. "Come on Little Dove, I bet I can beat you inside!" He yelled and sprinted toward the house.

It took me a whole five seconds to register what he said. But when I did, it felt like little butterflies were flying around in my tummy. I finally got my legs to move, and I bolted super-fast to try to catch him, laughing as I ran.

Maybe we could be friends. I think maybe I would like that.

"Looks like you run just about as good as you swing." He teased when I made it inside.

Then again, maybe not.

What do we think about little Maddie and Liam? Aren't they the cutest? Though, maybe Maddie doesn't feel quite that way about Liam yet lol I love a good friends to lovers story, especially when it starts out as an innocent love 💕

Stick around for more Maddie and Liam, updates will be every Friday starting in May. Thanks so much for reading, and I more than appreciate any vote/ comment!

Does anyone live in their own personal friends to lovers romance? I'd love to hear about it!