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On the quiet suburban street outside his new house, daytime, Max hugs his small backpack and watches the moving truck rumble away, eyes wide with nervous hope. Distant laughter drifts from the nearby park, carried on a light breeze.
The moving truck rumbled away. Max hugged his backpack, feeling tiny. "Hello, town," he whispered, "please be kind." Laughter floated from the park. Max followed the sound, hopeful and brave.
In the sunny park meadow, Asha stands beside a bright red kite fluttering on its string, smiling warmly at Max. Max, holding his backpack strap, returns the smile as spring clouds drift overhead.
A girl with a bright kite waved. "I'm Asha," she smiled. "I'm Max," he said. The kite swooped; they laughed and ran. "Explore the park with me?" Asha asked.
Beside the rain-speckled playground slide in the overcast afternoon, Asha kneels on wet mulch, raising a gleaming pebble triumphantly toward Max. Max, map unfurled across his lap, grins back, shoes splashing a shallow puddle.
They crossed the bridge, splashing puddles. "This slide is a mountain," Max said. Asha drew a map. Together they hunted shiny treasure. "Found it!" Asha cheered, pebble gleaming.
On the park's wooden bridge at sunset, golden light halos Asha and Max as they lean on the railing above rippling water. Max slips the shimmering pebble into his pocket while Asha grins, planning tomorrow's secret fort.
Sunset painted the park gold. Max tucked the pebble into his pocket. "Thanks, Asha," he said. "You're my friend." "Tomorrow, secret fort?" Asha grinned. Max nodded, brave as a lion.