Page 1 of Thalia De Luca

Prologue

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

"Surprise!" my parents and Alexander’s say as they smile at us with open arms.

A smile falls on my lips as I take in what's behind them and around Alexander and me.

A farm.

Mommy and daddy got me a farm.

I run to mommy and wrap my arms around her. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love it so much." Mommy hugs me back and I can feel her smile as she puts her cheek against mine.

I let go of her and go to hug daddy. "I hope you like it,la mia principessa," he whispers in my ear before kissing my forehead.

I let go of him and smile so hard my teeth almost fall out. "I love it so much. Alexander and I are going to have so much fun," I say before looking at Alexander who has a small smile that threatens to fall on his lips.

I know he is happy.

He is just a boy and boys don't like to smile.

I asked mommy one time why boys don't like smiling and she just told me that boys are stupid.

Alexander isn't stupid though.

He's so smart and cool.

I wish I could be as cool as him.

Alexander is my best friend, other than Jane but she doesn't even talk that much yet but I know we will be best friends too.

"Alexander! Let's go play!" I say as I run towards him and wrap my arms around his stomach.

"Yeah, kids. Go play. Check out all of the animals," Emma, Alexander's mom says as she smiles down at us.

I let go of Alexander and jump up and down before running towards where the horses are.

Horses are my favorite animal.

They are so pretty.

"What's your favorite animal, Alexander?” I look at him and he looks away from the horses to look down at me.

At six years old, Alexander is tall.

He is almost as tall as the big kids in our school.

But it's a good thing he is tall because then he can beat people up who are mean to me.

Last week Kevin, a mean kid who is in Alexander's grade, pushed me off the swing. Before I could even say something to him and push him back, Alexander pushed him to the ground and slapped him on the face.

I like seeing him fight. I smiled when I saw Alexander do that for me.

That's why he is my favorite person in the world. I love mommy and daddy, but I also love Alexander.

Sometimes he is mean, but he always says sorry when he is mean.

"I like whatever you like," he says and I feel myself smile again.

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