Will was thrown back and landed on the hard sidewalk with a thud. "Ah!" the startled girl yelled as she, too, was forced to the ground. Will rubbed her now throbbing head. She tried to stand and luckily succeeded.
"I'm SO sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going and-"
"It's ok! I'm fine! I see you were watching someone else though. Possibly the cutie across the street…?"
"What? No….Why would I be looking over there? I mean…" Will tried to respond, but only babbled. She was never too good at lying. She felt her cheeks turn bright red.
"It's ok. Everyone likes him. Well, except me. But that's just me. His name's Matt Olsen... So, are you alright? If not, my house is only a few blocks away. By the way, my name is Taranee. Taranee Cook. What's yours?"
It took Will a moment to respond. She mentally checked herself over to see if she needed medical attention, or just an ice pack. "I think I just need ice for my head, but my house is right down there." Will pointed to the house four houses back. "My name's Will Vandom. I'm new here."
Taranee gave Will a friendly smile. "Wow. Another newbie. I moved here only a week or two ago."
"Newbie…?" Will said confused.
"That's what they call us for about two weeks. Then, they finally upgrade to your name." Taranee sort of giggled, which made her glasses fall. She pushed her spectacles back up, hoping not to look like a geek. "Hey, why don't you see if you can come to my house? I mean if you're not busy. I have all of my friends over! This way you can meet them!" Taranee hopefully asked Will.
Will thought a minute, then said, "Hold on, I'll ask my mom. You want to come in?"
Taranee shook her head. "I have to get some cookies at the gas station up there. I'll come back to your house when I'm done, then we can walk up together."
"Okay!" Will said. They waved and went their separate ways. Will ran in her house so fast, her mom jumped. Will quickly asked (well, begged) to go over to Taranee's house. Finally her mom said yes. Running out, she yelled thank you, then waited for Taranee.