James waited patiently through art and writing practice, constantly glancing outside to see if he could see his new friend. As time passed he realized she wasn’t out there. Perhaps maybe she had run home, which could mean she was close to the school. He wondered if she was thinking about him and their chance encounter this morning. Suddenly he heard his name. “James, are you listening?” His head spun to see Miss Delilah waiting patiently for him. “Sorry Miss, I guess I wasn’t.” He hung his head in shame. After all, he really liked Miss Delilah, and he didn’t want to cause trouble for her. As the lesson went on, James paid more attention but his mind kept wandering back to this girl. Finally the lunch bell rang. James bolted from his seat and toward the door, the last thing he heard was Miss Delilah shouting to him to ensure he came in this time.

He was so anxious he couldn’t finish his lunch. As he sat in the playground staring at it, James found himself thinking up scenarios of what he would say. I live over here, maybe your Dad or Mom could drive you over. No, what if she doesn’t have parents? What if she’s an alien? What if she’s planning on abducting me? As a slight chill ran down his spine, the buzzer sounded for the end of lunch. James sat in the bushes again, waiting for the teacher on duty to leave. As he emerged from the bushes, he looked behind him just in time to see Willow sneaking up on him. She smiled politely at him. “You might want to be careful, I hear aliens can sneak up on you.” James immediately had a whole conversation about what she said in his head.

Maybe she read my mind? Why pick aliens? Maybe she really is an alien? She is really sneaky. James eyed her cautiously. “Ahem, I was wondering if you’d like to come to my house sometime?” As he posed the question, he tried to read Willow’s expression. She seemed not to care at all. James leaned in as if she didn’t hear him. “So did you want to?” Willow looked up at him and smiled, that gap as evident as ever. “That’d be neat, I can follow you home from school if you want?” James looked confused. “Or, you could ride on the bus with me.” She stared at him. “I hate the other kids. Hate them. They’re mean.” James shrugged. “Well I guess I’ll meet you at the end of my driveway after school then?” Suddenly Willow got up and looked back to the school. “Yeah, ok, bye!” With that she ran back through the bushes and James just watched. This girl was beyond confusing.

“James Kent, I told you not to be late young man!” Miss Delilah stood behind him, scolding him from just beyond the playground. As he turned, James slouched his shoulders. “Sorry Miss, was just saying bye to a friend.” Miss Delilah looked around with a concerned look on her face. As she watched a car exit from the staff parking lot, she feared the worst. “James, I’m sorry, but for disobeying me I need to put you in detention, you will spend lunch and recess tomorrow with me in the class.” As she issued his sentence, James nudged the pebbles beneath his feet with the toe of his shoe. “Yes Miss, it won’t happen again.” Miss Delilah took his hand and brought him all the way back into the school.