Chapter Two

"Late. Detention!" My teacher's shrill voice cut through my ears. Inwardly groaning, I slumped into my seat, ignoring the stares of my classmates.

She turned back to the board. "Now," Mrs. Ven began, "the atom drawing is comprised..."

Who cares anyway? I stared at the board, not seeing, not hearing, letting my thoughts drift, drift....

He smiles at me, his seven-year old grin spreading from ear to ear. "Look!" He crys out, pointing to a muddy spot near the pond. A small frog, no larger than the palm of my hand, sits sleepily between the reeds. I smile a small smile, tell Jimmy that the frog is cute. His little finger reaches out to poke it. The deep green frog croaks and jumps away, disturbing the quiet. "Come on Jimmy, we'll be late if we don't get going. Mum'll be mad," I tug at his hand. As we scramble up, he looks back wistfully at the spot where the frog was.
"Alice?"
"Mm?"
"I want to be a frog," he tugs again at my hand. I am a big ten year old, and I know the facts, yet I don't spoil his fun.
"Why don't we try?" The trip to the schoolbus goes quickly as we hop down the streets, away from the pond. Our throats are sore from croaking by the time we reach the bus.

~

Running, I hurry him into his classroom, hugging him quickly before dashing to my own room.

That was the last time I saw Jimmy. I didn't even say bye. Just a hug, quick, only out of habit. I didn't tell him to have a good day at school. I was so rushed, I didn't even mention that we were going to be picked up that day, Jimmy, meet me in the gym, not the bus circle. I didn't mention that. Just a hug. Just a hug.