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Jax's gently swung his feet while listening to the birds sing in the trees above. Earlier, he had noticed his Kindergarten teacher's stiffly risen shoulders and the hint of exhaustion in her voice. He felt awful for being an inconvenience and someone his poor teacher had to spend energy on when she chastised a couple of troublesome boys who were making fun of Jax's "weird clothes" or the way they turned the corners of their eyes up with their fingers when he walked by them this morning.
When their teacher was preoccupied during recess when a fight broke out over the limited number of swings, Jax slipped away from his peers to sit at the edges of the school grounds where he could enjoy the quiet peace of nature.
"Hi," said a small voice.
Jax's fingers dug into the rough bricks. He noticed a black-haired boy in a yellow shirt below. "Hi."
"Do you go to this school?"
Jax nodded.
"Daddy says I'm too good for public schools. I have tutored at home." The boy swung his arms back and forth while speaking.
"Oh," was all Jax could think to say. He looked up and down the street but no one was around. Where did he come from?
The boy paused, listening longingly to the sounds of kids screaming playfully behind the wall. "Do you wanna play?"
Jax's heart sped up. If he said no, he could be hurt or offended but saying yes scared him somehow and this was also the first time someone had asked to play with him "S-sure," he quickly stuttered as he began awkwardly climbing down from the wall. When at eye level with him, he noted his posture and expression, which to his relief appeared casual and relaxed.
"You're funny," the boy giggled.
Jax wrung his hands. "Why?"
He chewed on his bottom lip thoughtfully then shrugged. "I dunno. You're quiet. But that's ok! What do you wanna play?" he began jogging in place.
Jax studied him, searching for a clue of what he might want. He dug his heels into the small patch of dirt between the sidewalk and the wall. "What do you wanna play?"
"I asked you first!"
"I asked you second," a nervous smile peeked out.
"No! That's not how it works!" the boy stomped his foot, causing Jax to flinch. He blinked at his reaction. "...Ok, fine. I'll pick. I choose… tag! You're it!" He reached out and smacked his hand.
Jax stared at the boy running down the street, his arms and short black hair flailing wildly. After the initial shock subsided, he chased after him. They turned the corner and he confidently bumped past several adults without so much of an apology. Jax took time to make sure not to brush someone with an unchecked arm as the boy dashed ever farther ahead. "Wait!" he called out, suddenly aware of the fear of losing him in the crowd. Maybe he was taunting him. Maybe his comment that he was funny meant he found him boring or he didn't like his clothes. Maybe he was trying to get away from him.
Hearing Jax's voice a good distance away, the boy slowed enough to turn around and jog backwards. "I'm not gonna wait! You gotta catch up!" His laughter turned into a scream when the back of his heel hit the side of the uneven sidewalk.
Jax ran up to him, eyes wide and breathing laboured. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," he sat up while checking himself. "Ugh, sis is gonna kill me," he sighed when he saw the hem of his shirt torn and dirty
"Maybe we can fix it."
"How?" The boy's voice wavered. He had tears in his eyes, causing panic to race through Jax's chest.
"There's glue sticks in my classroom. We can use those."
"Ok," he sniffled as he stood up.
"What's your name? I'm Jax."
"I'm Aaki Lucy D Smith!."
"Isn't that a girl's name?"
"No! The D in my name means Dash!" The boy explained. "But everyone teases me and still calls me Lucy."
"I think it's pretty awesome."
"Really?"
They walked in silence for a few yards until Jax gathered the courage to gently poke him on his shoulder.
"You're it."
He giggled.