When Zayn was eleven, his best friend left town to study in a different city. They had been inseparable, sharing everything from childhood secrets to dreams of the future. But distance had a way of shifting things, no matter how much they swore it wouldn’t.

  He had always looked up to his friend, admiring his ability to navigate life even when alone. Unlike Riley, Jack, and Jim—who were always around but never quite filled that space—this friend had been his entire world.

  For the first year after he left, they still tried to keep in touch. Calls became infrequent, and soon, the conversations felt more like an obligation than a connection. When his friend returned from vacation, he hardly spent time with Zayn. Instead, he was always glued to his phone, texting or calling someone else. Whoever that person was—friend, mentor, or girlfriend—Zayn hated them. He hated them with a quiet, bitter resentment that nestled deep in his heart.

  He knew it was selfish. He knew people changed, but he had foolishly believed that their bond would remain untouched. No matter where life took them, they would always be the same.

  Last summer, his friend came home, and Zayn barely spoke to him. He was angry, hurt, and unwilling to admit how much he missed him. Even when he noticed the stress lining his friend’s face, the sadness in his eyes, Zayn said nothing.

  And then, just like that, he was gone again.

  The summer sun blazed high in the sky, casting golden light over everything it touched. It was the middle of the summer vacation, and for most kids, this was the best time of the year—long, lazy days with no school, filled with adventures and fun. But for Zayn, this summer was nothing short of a disappointment.

  He had been eagerly waiting for his best friend to visit. They had planned everything—playing games all night, sneaking out for ice cream, and biking around the neighborhood until they were exhausted. But this year, his friend didn't come. Instead, Zayn was left all alone, bored out of his mind while his other friends went off on family vacations.

  With nothing better to do, he started bothering his parents constantly. He followed his mom around the house, asking pointless questions. He pestered his dad while he worked, asking for stories he had already heard a hundred times before. Eventually, his parents had enough.

  His mother sighed one evening, looking at his father with a knowing expression. "You know, I was thinking… Zayn gets bored too easily. He’s always up to some mischief, and honestly, he’s a little cowardly too—he won’t even go to the bathroom alone at night." She chuckled at her own words before continuing. "I was talking to my sister, and she suggested we let Lateen stay with us for the summer. She’s older than him, and I think they’ll get along. Maybe they’ll even develop a nice sibling bond."

  And just like that, Lateen moved in.

  The moment she arrived, she took over everything. The first thing she did was steal his bedroom, then she took half of his parents’ attention. His mother doted on her, his father praised her for being mature and responsible, and Zayn… well, he was stuck as the forgotten child.

  It wasn’t that he hated her—he just disliked how she acted like she was in charge. She was only a year older than him, yet she constantly told him what to do and what not to do, like some bossy older sister.

  Then came the so-called "vacation."

  His parents, feeling guilty for not taking him anywhere, decided to go on a trip before school started again. But what was supposed to be an exciting adventure turned into a disaster. They got scammed. Instead of the fun beach trip he had imagined, they were dragged to his grandmother’s hometown—a quiet, rural place surrounded by thick forests and rolling hills.

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  His father spoke fondly of this place, reminiscing about how he used to visit his grandmother as a child. Zayn wasn’t all that interested, but since he had no choice, he went along with it. However, there was one rule.

  "You can go exploring if you want," his father said, "but you have to take Lateen with you. And don’t let go of her hand until you get back safely."

  That was the last thing Zayn wanted. Lateen was already annoying enough, and now he had to be stuck with her the entire time? But of course, everyone agreed—because Lateen was "trustworthy" and "independent" while he was just "mischievous and cowardly."

  When they stepped outside into the fresh countryside air, she grabbed his hand.

  "Why are you holding my hand?" he snapped, trying to pull away.

  "So you don’t get lost," she replied in a high-pitched, exaggerated voice, clearly teasing him.

  "I’m not a kid," he muttered.

  "I know," she said, laughing.

  Zayn gritted his teeth. He hated how she always treated him like a child. She was only one year older! What gave her the right to act so superior?

  As they walked, she never let go of his hand—not even for a second. She wouldn’t let him visit the places he wanted, kept dragging him in different directions, and constantly reminded him to be careful.

  Frustrated, he finally had enough.

  "What does she think she is? My babysitter?" he thought angrily.

  So, in one swift move, he yanked his hand free and ran.

  "Zayn! Stop!" Lateen yelled behind him.

  But he didn’t stop. He ran as fast as he could, laughing under his breath as he escaped her watchful eye. He wanted some freedom, even if it was just for a little while.

  After a while, he slowed down, catching his breath. That’s when he heard it—the sound of rushing water. His curiosity piqued, he followed the sound and soon found himself standing in front of a breathtaking waterfall.

  The water cascaded down smooth rocks, shimmering under the golden glow of the setting sun. Butterflies flitted around, their wings catching the light in bursts of color. It was a magical sight.

  Zayn sat on a nearby rock, watching the waterfall in awe. He lost track of time, enjoying the peaceful moment.

  But when he finally decided to head back, he realized something terrifying.

  He didn’t know which way to go.

  Panic set in. He walked in one direction, then another, but the trees all looked the same. No matter where he went, he somehow ended up back at the waterfall. His heart pounded. He ran, pushing through bushes and trees, but it was useless. The forest was like a maze, and he was trapped.

  Then, to make things worse, he tripped on a root and scraped his leg. The sharp sting made him wince. He sat down under a tree, trying not to cry, but fear settled deep inside him. The sun had set. The forest was getting darker.

  "Someone, please help me!" he shouted, his voice trembling.

  He called out again and again, but only the rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl answered him.

  And then—

  "Zayn? Is that you?"

  His heart leaped. That was his mother’s voice! A tiny spark of hope ignited in his chest.

  "Yes! It’s me! Please, come here!" he shouted.

  "Stay where you are, I’m coming!"

  The voice came closer, and Zayn held his breath. But when the figure finally emerged from the darkness, it wasn’t his mother.

  It was Lateen.

  She was covered in mud, her clothes were torn in places, and bruises dotted her arms and face. She held a flashlight, shining it in his direction. Despite her messy state, her green eyes locked onto him with relief.

  At that moment, something inside Zayn changed. He had been expecting his mother, but seeing Lateen instead made him feel… safe. Warm. He didn’t know why, but his chest tightened, and before he realized it, tears welled up in his eyes.

  She ran toward him and hugged him tightly.

  "Finally! I found you!" she sobbed, holding him close.

  He was the one who had run away. He was the one who had been careless. And yet, she had been the one searching for him this whole time.

  Guilt and relief crashed into him all at once. He clung to her, burying his face in her shoulder.

  "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry," he mumbled, his voice shaking. Right now, he didn’t care if he looked like a little kid—he just wanted to be forgiven.

  Lateen pulled back, cupping his face as she wiped the dust from his cheeks. "Can you stand?" she asked gently.

  He shrugged, then tried to stand, but the pain in his leg made him wince.

  She noticed immediately. "Did you hurt yourself?"

  He nodded weakly.

  Without hesitation, she removed her scarf and tied it around his wound. Then, before he could protest, she crouched down and carried him onto her back.

  The entire way home, she carried him—without complaint, without scolding him for running away.

  And for the first time, Zayn didn’t mind being treated like a kid.

  Because, at that moment, he realized something.

  Maybe Lateen wasn’t so bad after all.

  "The Girl No One Knew."

  March 17th or 18th. Stay tuned, and thank you for your love and patience! ???.