All of the kids ran out onto the playground for recess. Michael Scott's class was outside first, so they got first pick. Toby, Jim, Ryan, Phyllis, and Oscar ran over to the four-square court. Creed, Pam, Meredith, and Dwight went for the playground. Kevin ran for the sandbox and the others went off to do their own thing. Kelly ran around the empty grass field and leaned down to pick a dandelion.
"Hey!" Someone yelled. Kelly turned to see Angela storming over. "You can't pick that!"
"If you want to make a wish, go find your own dandelion!" Kelly said sternly.
"No! Not that! My mom said all plants are living things too! If you pick that it's like killing an animal." Angela said crossing her arms.
"But I picked flowers before! What about those flowers?" Kelly asked alarmed.
"You killed them!" Angela said matter of factly. Kelly ran off crying and Angela smiled smugly. Over on the four-square court, Toby rained champion and took the king square. Jim and Ryan were both trying to take the queen spot. Currently, the position was taken by Ryan.
"I'm going to beat you, Ryan!" Jim shouted and vigorously hit the ball. Ryan was new to the school also, just like Pam. Jim caught Ryan off guard and got him out.
"Yes!" Jim said happily as he took the higher position
Ryan sadly got in line as Phyllis got on the court. Ryan turned to see Kelly crying by the school wall.
"Hey, I'll see you guys at lunch!" Ryan said as he ran off to see why Kelly was sad. "Hey what's wrong?" Ryan asked as he sat down cross-legged by Kelly on the cement ground.
"Angela said I was killing flowers!" Kelly sobbed.
"It's ok. Angela seems mean."
"Yeah, she is. I had her for second grade." Kelly smiled. "Do you want to push me on the swings?"
Ryan nodded. "Come on! Let's go!"
Pam looked up just as the other 4th grade classes came out. Some bigger looking boys ran to the four-square line while other students took over the swings and slides. Pam went over to the big curly tube slide and was about to go down when Creed came running up the slide.
"Hiya Pam!" He said creepily.
"Hi," Pam said. "Can you move so I can go down the slide?"
"No," Creed said slowly sliding back down. "I need to participate in the council of the beetles."
Pam shrugged and walked over to the rock wall, but was confronted by a small group of people from one of the other classes. They had blocked the way so Pam couldn't get down off the playground.
"Excuse me," Pam said politely, but the people didn't move. In fact, they laughed at Pam. "What's so funny?" Pam asked innocently.
"We're not going to move," One of the big guys said. "You can find a different way down."
One of the other guys nudged the other one. "Cut it out, Darryl. That wasn't very nice. I'm Roy by the way. But, we're not going to move either way."
"Ok," Pam said turning to go down a slide that wasn't occupied by Creed and his council.
"Hey wait!" Roy said.
"Yes?"
"You're very pretty. If you want you can hang out with us. I can give you my twinkie at lunch." Roy flirted. As much as Pam liked twinkies, Roy and his friends didn't seem very nice.
"No thanks," Pam said cooly. "I was about to play four-square with my friend Jim!"
"Alright, but if you ever need a place to sit at lunch, you can always sit with us!"
Pam quickly turned and speed-walked over to the four-square court. Jim was in the now long line and noticed Pam coming over.
"Hey, Pam!" Jim waved.
"Hi!" Pam got in line.
"Have you ever played four-square?" Jim asked.
"No, but I bet I could learn!"