The chapter starts.

Klaus stood alone at the playground. He didn't have any friends, causing him to be an introvert. Whenever someone talked to him, he would try to ignore them. He always wore his favorite dark blue hoodie and gray jeans. His hair was a dark mix of blonde and brown.

Aaron has just arrived at the playground. When his parents opened the car door, he jumped out without a second thought. He stained his red shirt as he crawled up the slide. His blue sweatpants weren't doing much better, already turning darker as he ran to the swing set. His hair was black. Was.

Aaron rode up and down the swings. He was having so much fun, he almost didn't notice Klaus standing there. He jumped out of the swing and walked over to Klaus.

"Hi! What's your name?" Aaron said, with his ever excited voice.

"Uh... Klaus." Klaus responded, sounding nervous and shy.

Aaron smiled. "That's a pretty name. So... What are you doing out here?"

Klaus didn't know how to reply at first, but eventually came up with a somewhat realistic answer: "I'm... waiting for the other kids to leave."

Aaron's smile faded slightly. "What? But the other kids are what makes the playground so fun!"

"Uh..." Klaus said.

"Here, I'll play with you!" Aaron said, taking Klaus' hand and leading him back to the playground.

The two arrived at the swings. Aaron pushed Klaus up and down the swing. Getting higher each time.

As Klaus rode the swing set, he smiled slightly.

He felt as if someone actually cared for him. Someone who wanted him to be there.

Klaus jumped off the swing, and turned to face Aaron.

"That was... fun." Klaus said, his voice more happy.

"I knew you would like it, buddy!" Aaron said, pulling Klaus into a hug.

Buddy. Klaus had never been called that before. Not even by his own parents. Klaus felt himself hugging Aaron back, as he smiled even more.

Klaus held onto Aaron. He didn't want to let go, despite knowing he had to. Minutes later, both pulled away from the hug.

"Seems you've warmed up to me." Aaron said, his voice dripping with happiness.

"C-Can we be friends?" Klaus covered his mouth. He hadn't expected himself to say that. Not even to someone as nice as Aaron.

Aaron looked at Klaus for a few moments. Aaron nodded.

"Thank you!" Klaus said, pulling Aaron into a hug.

The two were hugging yet again. But this time, Klaus was the one that pulled Aaron into a hug.

Klaus had never felt so loved before. He finally had a friend. And such a nice one, no less. The two hugged for minutes before pulling away.

"What do you want to do now, friend?" Aaron said.

Friend. Klaus smiled at that word. He pointed to the slides.

"Can we go to the slides?" Klaus suggested.

"Sure thing, buddy. Sure thing." Aaron said.

The chapter ends.