The 10-year-olds Lillian and Anna both played in the sandbox with their toys. Edwin took them to the nearby park for the kids to play and have fun. ...

"Let's play catch, Lilly" Anna pleased until Lillian agreed.

Edwin was sitting near the park bench, where he can see the kids playing. He was occupied with a cooking book, reading the recipes and studying the dishes.

Lillian had brought a ball, and Anna picked out a location to play catch. Soon, the girls began throwing the ball and played. The fun game turned into a fiery compet.i.tion as Anna and Lillian, as Lillian grew focused with the ball, keeping track on their count.

Lillian started throwing the ball harder with a compet.i.tive spirit. Anna, not being as strong as Lillian tussled in receiving the ball. It hit her soon as the ball went flying across little Anna's reach.

"Lilly, why are you getting so fired?" Anna panted hard.

"Nothing, I'm just playing normally." Little Lillian responded nonchalantly.

Anna shook her head, still breathing hard.

It is during then the kids heard Edwin's voice emerging from behind.

"Lilly, go get the ball. It's your fault throwing the ball so far away. Now, be the same sportive champ that you played with Anna and go get the ball." Edwin commented.

The 10-year-old Lillian hissed silently and walked towards the direction the ball went. Meanwhile, Edwin called over Anna to let her rest while Lillian gets the ball.

Anna sat next to Edwin, taking rest while she can.

Lillian went on a search patrol looking out for her ball. Later, she found a little kid who protected the ball and safeguarded it. The kid looked around eagerly for someone to come and collect it.

Lillian giggled when she saw the little kid's anxious face. The child looked small and cute. She ran towards the kid and asked for the ball.

Once confirming that it's Lillian's ball, the kid delivered the ball. Lillian thanked the kid and went back to Anna. After taking a few steps, Lillian paused and turned around to see the kid leaving the park all alone.

Lillian's mind worried about the kid's safety. But, she believed that the kid's parents might be around somewhere nearby. Happy Lillian after getting her ball sprinted back to their spot.

"What took you so long?"

"Did you go treasure hunting without me?" little Anna spoke in her sweet tone.

Lillian responded that the ball went afar and about the little kid who protected the ball safely. Anna asked if the kid is still there so they can play together. But Lillian replied 'no' since she saw the kid left alone as soon as they departed.

Anna and Lillian played once again except this time Lillian only had fun and never took it seriously. She didn't want to go ball hunting again. They played for a while until Edwin suggested leaving as it will be safe to reach home before sunset.

Before leaving, Edwin had a request for Lillian. He requested Lillian to visit the neighborhood bookstore to return the book and get a new one. Lillian knew the neighborhood IN and OUT. Edwin suggested that he would return home with Anna. The sky is still bright, regardless; Lillian agreed to take the mission.

Edwin gave her the book he had just finished studying. Lillian bid goodbye to Anna and Edwin before leaving. The bookstore is around the left corner from the park entrance. A straight walk will let you reach the place. Lillian followed the path safely.

She reached the place within a few minutes. 'The GOODWILL bookstore' is the neighborhood bookstore for Edwin to borrow and read. Edwin's been friends with the bookstore owner as a result; Edwin started borrowing cookbooks for his reference and studying. Edwin enjoyed cooking religiously. Lillian usually helped her father borrow books; she used to be the person in charge of delivering the finished and borrowing the new.

"Hey, Lilly. How's it going?" the shop owner, Ed noticed the little Lillian.

One of the main reasons after being a cookbook devotee and the bookstore owner, Edwin and Ed became friends instantly with the resemblance in their names. They also grew as drink buddies often visiting bars together and have fun drinking.

"Mr. Ed, dad wants to borrow a new book. He's done reading it." Lillian said while placing the book on the counter.

"So, he's already finished reading the 'pro tips for Italian pasta recipes' I have to search now. Did he mention any note about his next book?" Ed asked in concern.

Lillian shook her head. Nevertheless, he knew the previous books Edwin had borrowed.

Ed chuckled and went to the cookbook section to find a new book for his friend. Meanwhile, Lillian roamed around the store to pa.s.s the time. The bookstore is large and a famous spot for readers from the neighborhood. Lillian loved spending time here and would often pick up story books to read.

Lillian moved to the Cla.s.sic section to scan the books. Even for her age, Lillian is aware of all the cla.s.sics and often read news about writers, their new work and the updates. Lillian showed pa.s.sion for stories right from a young age. As she moved around the bookstore, she found a kid who stood in front of the kids' books section and kept staring at it.

The kid looked familiar as Lillian neared, she found that it is the same kid from the park. When she went to greet him, the kid got startled and stormed out of the place in fear. The kid acted like it was a random stranger who tried to contact her. Lillian stood in a daze from the scene.

Ed returned with a new book on his hand that says,

'Make your customized Pizza at Home'

Lillian's eyes sparkled as she read the t.i.tle. Ed gave it to her and added a note for Edwin. Lillian thanked him and left the place.

On her return journey to home which is a little far from the library, she noticed the same kid walking uneasily. She approached the kid and this time introduced herself as the girl from the park. The kid recognized her.

Lillian noticed the dense of worries on the kid's face. When asked, the kid confirmed that he had lost the direction to return home. Lillian looked at the kid; small, weak and feeble. She offered the kid to accompany way back to home as she's an expert about the neighborhood, the kid agreed.

Soon, they both started walking, Lillian helped the kid ease out, and the kid responded by holding her hand. Lillian felt like her heart melted from the little kid's touch. She happily guided the kid back to his home and then reached her place.