King's Ransom

I think I started to feel this way around the time I was getting ready to leave for the seventh grade. It wasn't on the last day, no, that would be too dramatic. It was gradual, sneaking up on me like someone planning your assassination.

I realized this sometime around the eighth grade when I said I missed him. I was walking around town with no particular destination when I noticed I was at the elementary school. I mumbled to myself that I missed him. No one in particular was around to here that, not that that was a concern.

I went out of my way after that to find out about what he was up to these days. I had to change my route home so I could see him, but I found out what I wanted to know. For one thing, the whole group had a growth spurt since I left, except for him. He's the shortest in the group now. From what I can see, it makes him uncomfortable if it gets mentioned.

I wanted to go up to him and tell him that he'll get his own growth spurt soon enough.

I also found out that he's still playing pranks and causing mayhem, but he's toned it down a lot since I was there. I think he's trying to wean himself out of it before middle school. Good. If he tried one of those in middle school, they'll try to expel him without a second thought about it. I feel a little bad for him though. It's about a week until the end of the school year. I had overheard one of their conversations. They were talking about what they were going to do over the summer.

I feel bad for him, 'cause his friends are all going to summer camp again. Each one. It's like the summer for his fifth grade year all over again. Except for the whole moving the moon thing. Hopefully that won't happen again, but that's not what's important right now. I don't 1know if his friends noticed, but he's upset about it. He said he was fine with it, but I don't think he really is. To top it all off, they're all leaving the day after the last day of school.

This summer going to be lonely for him. It's a good thing I'm here, so that won't happen. I'll find him and hang out with him, at least until his friends come back. Maybe even after that.