Besides
Cloud
"Boys are
stupid," the blonde girl said tilting her head.
"Yeah,"
the brown haired girl agreed.
"They're dirty and
gross."
"They pick their nose."
"They're
not so bad," Becky protested, glancing across the room at her
best friend Henry.
"They are too." the blond said with
a sniff.
"Maybe they're in loooove," a black haired
girl sing songed.
"We are not!"
"Am too."
"Am
not!"
"Totally in love," the blond said
snickering.
Becky looked close to tears, but she pushed her
glasses up, a determined look in her eyes.
I shifted in my seat.
I didn't know much about boys, but I did know I didn't like that
blonde girl and her minions.
"We're just friends!"
The other girls started giggling.
I crammed the rest of my
peanut butter and jelly sandwich into my mouth and headed for the
door. I hated bullies. Although I wanted to say something, I knew it
was better to keep out of their way. Keep your head down and don't
say or do anything to get their attention was my motto.
I sighed
as the cool air hit me and the sun warmed the top of my head. I took
a deep breath of fresh air, letting the noise of recess wash over me.
Kids ran across the playground screaming while a group of girls
chanted to a game of double dutch. Boy's whooped from the swing set
and several kids giggled as they tried to walk on their hands,
falling over more often than not.
“Cheer up!”
Cloud said, his ethereal body bobbing gently up and down. A smile
tugged at the corner of my mouth. Although I knew he was imaginary,
he never failed to make me happy.
“Let's go for a
walk!”
I nodded and
started off across the playground, the rocks crunching beneath my
tennis shoes. I stooped and scooped up a heart shaped stone, rubbing
its smooth surface between my fingers. It smelled kind of salty and I
knew from experience that it would taste a little salty too.
“Oooh.” Cloud
leaned in closer. A boy brushed against me as he ran by. I stumbled
and Cloud frowned.
“I'm alright,”
I said, pocketing the heart. We started on our way again, this time
towards the trailers. Beyond it was the big kid playground.
Kindergarteners weren't allowed on it, but I liked to watch the rush
of colors and plan for the day I would be able to play there. The
swinging honey combs looked especially fun. It would be easy to
pretend there was lava beneath when I needed to cross it to save
Cloud. One day, I would be knight of the playground.
A boy I recognized
from my ward caught my eye. He was sitting on the steps of one of
trailers, his face in his hands. I started to walk past him, but
Cloud sidled in front of me.
“You should ask
him if he wants to be your friend.”
I frowned and
glanced back at the boy. His curly black hair waved gently in the
wind. He did look a little sad. I took a step forward then hesitated.
What would the other girls think? I glanced at his face again.
“Go on,” Cloud
urged.
Finally I nodded.
He probably would say no anyway. I slowly walked up to him.
The boy looked up.
I stuck out my
hand. “Do you want to be my friend?”
For a second he
looked startled, then a big smile broke across his pale face. “Yes!”
He took my hand and
I helped him up.
“Have you ever
heard of The Lord of the Rings?”
I nodded. “I
guess, but I've never seen it before.”
The boy looked a
little disappointed.
“I do have some
pretty rings at home though.”
He smiled “Cool!
Can I see them sometime?”
“Yeah, I guess,”
I said returning his smile.
“Lets pretend
we're from Middle Earth! I'll be Legolas and you'll be Gimli! We can
use the playground for battles!”
I nodded but
glanced at Cloud.
Cloud gave me a
reassuring smile. “Go on. I'll wait for you at home.”
I jumped off the
school bus and rushed to the side yard.
Cloud was waiting
for me with several of his friends. “Well, how was it?”
“It was great! I
haven't ever had this much fun at school before! He said he's coming
over next week to see the rings! Isn't that great!”
“It is,” Cloud
agreed. “You two will be great friends.”
I nodded. “I
guess boy's aren't so bad after all.”
