After lunch all the students headed out onto the field for recess. Emma was sitting alone on a swing when Benji, Roxi, the blonde she had seen at the store, another blonde kid, and the other boy that looked similar to Benji.

 

“Hey. Guys, this is Emma. She’s in our homeroom and guess what? She likes Social Distortion!” Benji said enthusiastically.

 

“Hi, I’m Joel.” the kid said, who resembled Benji. ”I’m Benji’s brother, and Roxi’s boyfriend.”

 

“TWIN brother.” Roxi corrected Joel as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

 

“I’m Paul.” said the blonde she had seen in Target.

 

“I’m Aaron.” the other blonde said. “So, when did you move here?”

 

“About a week ago.” Emma said while Roxi sat in the swing next to her, Joel following and hanging on to the chains of the swing.

 

“Where did you move to? What area of Maryland?” asked Paul.

 

“I’m on Jefferson Street.” Emma replied.

 

“Dude! That’s the street behind where we live.” Benji exclaimed, motioning to Joel. “We’re on Bloomingdale.”

 

“Cool, maybe you can tell me what bus I’m supposed to ride?” questioned Emma.

 

“You’ll be riding our bus I suppose, since the bus stop is in-between our two streets.” Joel explained. “We take bus 23.”

 

“I could show you which bus it is after class.” Benji offered.

 

“Thanks.” Emma smiled at Benji.

 

............................................................

 

After the final bell rang, Emma waited outside the classroom for Benji to come out. He was still talking to the teacher about what he had said to Tia.

 

“Alright. Ready to go?” Benji said walking out of the classroom.

 

“Yup!” Emma replied, following Benji down the hall.

 

When they had gotten out to the bus stop, the last bus was just leaving.

 

“Oh great. I’m sorry, but we’ve missed our bus.” Benji said regretfully. “We could always walk, what do you think?”

 

“Sure.”

 

“Sorry about Tia, she’s a real biotch.” Benji said as they started walking down the street.

 

“Ugh, she reminds me of this girl back in Arizona. Beverly.” she shuddered when she said the name.

 

They finally reached the spot in-between both streets.

 

“Well, it was nice meeting you.” Benji said, waving goodbye to Emma as she started walking down her street.

 

“You too.” she replied turning around and waving back to him.