In the Heart of the Maze

Abigail grew up near a hedge maze. She and her family visited the maze almost every weekend, even when the maze turned into a regular park in the winter. Safe to Abigail knew this maze inside and out. 

This had its advantages at the big festivals when she got overwhelmed and needed a moment of quiet she knew just the dead end to hide in. Her parent's only rule was to have your phone on you so we can find you in an emergency,  which she happily obeyed.

One day during the kick-off for the summer event Abigail disappears into her little hideout. She flops onto the grass and stares at the clouds rolling by. She can faintly hear the band playing. Then she hears footsteps. Great someone found this dead end. 

She sighs and braces herself for questions. "Oh thank goodness! Another human!” That sounds like another kid.

Abigail props herself up, "It seems you found my hideout."

"This dead end is your hideout?" The girl looks around. 

"Yep!" Abigail pops the P, "It's one of the harder dead ends to find so it's pretty quiet.”

“And you know this because?" the grit plops down, defeated. 

"My family’s a pass holder and the maze never changes.” She shrugs, “So after years I've got it memorized." Abigail smirks, “Names Abigail by the way." 

"Tiffany" the girl smiles. "Can you help me out of hear?" 

"Do you just want out or do you want to see the fountain at the center?" Abigail lays back down. 

"Honestly? I don't know. I feel like I've been running around for hours." Tiffany lets out a sigh. 

"Well come look at clouds with me and we can decide in a bit." Abigail lays back down. Then she quickly sends her parents a text, “If someone is looking for a Tiffany, she's got a blue streak. in her hair, she's with me, I'll get her out shortly.” 

After it was clear that Tiffany had settled and Abigail shared her water the two girls stood up. "So fountain or just get out?" Abigail stretches. 

"Do you mind, I'd love to see the fountain," Tiffany asks uncomfortably. 

"Oh yeah, I even knew a shortcut from here. let's go!" Abigail takes Tiffany's hand and leads her through the hedge maze. Soon they come face to face with The Fountain.

"How? You made it seem so easy." Tiffany runs her hand under the cool water.

Abigail beams. "Like I said the maze never changes, Did you come in by yourself? Rather bold for your first time here.” 

Tiffany shrugs, "I guess so. My parents didn't want to try the maze today so I thought I could handle it."

"Hey, I've helped several adults get out of the maze. Don't feel bad." Abigail leads her out of the maze. 

"Maybe you'll work here someday." Tiffany runs her hand along the plants in wonder at the maze around them.

"That's what my mom says." Abigail chuckles.

Once the girls get out of the maze they are met by their parents. "Girls!" Abigail's mother waves them over. "Guess what we just learned, Tiffany moved in across the alleyway behind the house. So you girls will be seeing a lot of each other! The girls share a smile. 

Over the years, they became partially inseparable friends. Their bond was unbreakable. Abigail and Tiffany both knew the Maze inside and out and often hid in it. As predicted, they got jobs at the park. Tiffany works in the concession stand, and Abigail works at the ticket booth. Part of her job is to rescue lost people in the Maze, which she and Tiffany make jokes about all the time. 

Abigail stops by the concession stands on her way for break, "Hey Tiff, ya ready to go?"

Tiffany pops her head out "Yep! And it's Friday!'' she brings out an order of fries the girls slip into the maze.

"Can you believe it's almost time for college?" Tiffany sits down in the grass and sets the fries between them. 

"I know, I still can't believe we aren’t going together" Abigail lays back looking at the clouds. 

"I know. It's kinda crazy." Tiffany mumbles, popping a fry into her mouth. 

“Think will we still be friends in a year?" Abigail looks over at her.

"Well duh! Why would you even ask." Tiffany laughs.

“Ya, but we have friends who didn't last through high school. And my mom has like two friends from then." Abigail picks at the fries. 

Tiffany lays down next to Abigail, pointing to the clouds, "And if you are the only one I keep from high school. I'd be okay with that.” 

Abigail smiles, "I'd be more than okay with that." The girls spend the rest of their break pointing out shapes in clouds and sharing what the future could look like.