CHAPTER 26 Friends

  LEAH'S POV

  "Her name is Katie," she said. "She's really nice."

  "That's wonderful," I said. "I'm glad you've found someone to play with."

  I chatted with Lana for a while about her day, and then we headed home. As we walked, she chattered happily about all the things she had done that day, and I listened with a smile on my face.

  It was so nice to see her so happy and carefree, despite everything that was going on in our lives.

  When we got home, I made her a snack and then helped her with her homework.

  Afterwards, we spent some time reading together, one of our favorite activities. I loved the way she would get lost in the stories, her eyes wide with wonder and imagination.

  After reading, we played a game of hide-and-seek, which she always loved. She giggled and squealed as she tried to hide, and I pretended not to see her, even though I knew exactly where she was.

  It was a game we had played many times, and it never got old.