Apple tree

 Many people came to see the apple tree. Over the years there were thousands of visitors every month. Slowly the number decreased. Going lower and lower. Eventually, nobody went to the apple tree. Construction workers were going to cut it down.

"Harper, this tree needs to go." Harper's father would tell his daughter.

"But Dad!!!! I love that tree you can't cut it down!" Harper would say. Her dad gave her the look of, I know you like that tree but I have to cut it down. I'm sorry. Harper knew this look well. She ran out of the house her brown hair flying behind her. Up the hill behind the well. Harper kept repeating the directions in her head. Running fast she assumed she would get there in about five minutes.

"I love you," Jack whispered to the tree. Jack had grown up at a farm but something was different about this tree. Jack had no idea what.

"Jack!" A deep voice called from behind him. Jack turned to see his father.

"Jack stop getting attached to the tree. It's getting cut down soon." This was information Jack didn't know about.

"Their- Their cutting down Darby?" Jack asked tears welling in his eyes. He hugged the tree tighter.

"Darby?" His dad asked.

"Yes. This here tree is named Darby!" Jack said almost shouting at his dad. Jack's dad walked away. To the other side of the well, and down the hill.

Lula loved the old apple tree. It was her best friend ever since her brother left for the military. Her brother was only supposed to be gone for a few months but it had been 2 years. She would climb on the tree and pretend to be a monkey. She would sing with the tree. When it was windy she would pretend the tree was dancing. One day Lula was climbing and swinging and swaying with the tree.

"Lula!" A soft voice said. "I knew you would be up here." Lula's head swung to her side to see her brother Arti. Tears started forming in Lula's eyes. She ran to her brother holding him in a tight embrace.

"I didn't think you would come back..." Lula managed to get out. Her brother said nothing. All he did is hug her tighter.

"I'm going to say hi to mom and dad." He wiped away his sisters' tears and walked away. To the other side of the well. And down the hill.

Luke always visited the great grand old... oak tree. He fell in love with the tree. After visiting his grandma he got love for trees. Now Luke does not do much stuff with the tree. All he did was sleep.

Harper ran. She ran up the hill and to the well. Her legs were starting to ache. She was worried there would be blisters on her feet.

Jack decided if they were to try to cut down the tree, he would stop them. He ran as fast as his legs could take him. At last, he was nearing Darby... The tree.

What if they are cutting the tree right now?! The words echoed in his head as he ran.

"No!" Jack said out loud. He didn't want them to cut down the tree. He loved that tree! Finally, he got to the tree. He sat down next to it and cried into it.

Harper made it to the well she went behind it and saw the tree. Not just a tree. She saw a boy. Hugging the tree. And crying into it. She walked up the tree not trying to startle the boy.

"Hello?" She said. The boy jumped not expecting anyone to be there.

"Who are you..." He said. His voice was still shaking from crying.

"I'm Harper. I live near this tree." The boy didn't answer her. She continued trying to not make it awkward.

"It's a shame they're going to cut down this tree." The boy burst into tears once again.

"I'm sorry," The boy said. "I grew up with this tree" Harper looked sorry for him.

"My name is Jack."

"My name is Harper." Jack smiled and looked at the tree again.

"I don't want them to cut down Darby. She is my best friend." Harper looked confused.

"Sorry. I call this tree Darby."

"That's ok." She walked closer to the tree. She put her head down and her hand brushed against the rough bark.

"We won't let them cut you down, Darby." Jack looked at Harper and smiled.

"Thanks," Jack said.

"Harper! Harper!" A voice called from the hill.

"Oh no! That's my dad!" Harper told Jack. "I ran away from him when he told me they were going to cut down the tree." Harper didn't want to leave Jack alone on the hill. She stayed put.

"You need to go home!" Jack almost yelled at her. This startled her. She turned around. Jack was normally a calm guy. Harper nodded and ran down the hill. Sending one last glance in Jack's direction.

My story deleted so here's what happened.

Lula and Arti went for a walk. Met Luke and Jack. Harper went back to the tree with her father's permission. They all started a group to help save trees. They all became really good friends.

"Hey, Luke!" Harper said

"Hi, Harper," Luke said. Luke always enjoyed talking to Harper. Well, actually he liked talking to anyone.

"We have a new tree to save." Harper gave Luke a look of determination.

"I'll call the others right away," Luke said grinning.

"Hey Lula and Arti can you hear me?" Luke said into the microphone of the walkie-talkie.

"Yes, we copy," Lula said her voice as sweet as candy.

"We have a new tree to save." Luke couldn't see Lula or Arti but her knew they were smiling just like Harper did.

"We will notify Jack as soon as possible." Arti said.

"Hey Jack." Arti said. "New mission."

"You got it!" Jack said. "See you at the tree."