The Forgotten Secret

dly. She never thought she will feel so miserable and alone on her sixteenth birthday. Earlier during the day, her Marmee tried convincing her to invite a few of her classmates. S

er Marmee Rose. It is not that she likes to hide her feelings but oftentimes, it worries her Marmee Rose a lot. This is one of the things she usually does as if it's such an ordinary thing to do. Other kids find it weird when she talks that way. But why will she care about what they think? If only Jo is here...She senses the stress rising from her chest. She feels suffocated. Anna resumes her sitting position. She sighs, closing her green eyes and placing both her arms on her crossed legs, palms open upward. She takes a few slow and even breaths. She repeats this breathing exercise several times to calm herself. She focuses on her breathing as well as the beating of her heart. Deep in her inner calm, she does not notice her locket glowing underneath her shirt. She stays that way for a while. Finally, when she feels a bit better, Anna stands up and unlocks a hidden hole with her key and retrieves the wooden box. She reaches in her jeans' pocket and takes out a folded blue paper. This is another addition to her letters for Jo. Popsie Reed was the one who helped Jo to make a hole in the willow tree so Jo will be able to complete her birthday gift for her then. "Popsie has always known me better. I never had to say anything, " Anna blurts out with a smile. Marmee's heart is in the right place but she seems to be always worrying. Why does she feel like Marmee is afraid that something might happen to her? Unlike her Marmee, her Popsie is the calmer one. Popsie Reed lets Anna join him on his morning jogs along the trail beyond the willow tree. She enjoys hearing the different sounds of nature. Anna looks at the trail... For a second, she feels like running away. She is being drawn towards the forest. Anna shakes her head as if to remove the thought. Why would she runaway? Marmee and Popsie will be sad. Maybe she is just yearning for her best friend's company. Jo is her constant special guest, year after year, her only guest on her birthday. Nobody else matters. Anna's attention returns to the wooden box. She stares at the dominance of blue letters from the green ones. This reminds her how long since she got a handwritten letter from her friend. She sighs then returns the box. Anna climbs to a thicker branch of the willow and starts to sit facing the trail. Though t

e to her outburst earlier. So, what the heck? Anna starts to consider. "Oh come on, I apologized already. Can we be friends now?" Caspian says with a smile. He has a cute smile too. "Okay, your apology is accepted, only because it's my birthday today. I'm being generous. Call me Anna!" Anna explains. "Oh yeah, I already said my name to myself

hrough that blue door. "Happy birthday, Anna! See you again..." Caspian replies in a whisper, as he disappears behind the willow tree. Clouds start to darken the sky and the sun has a