AN/ Hi guys, I wanted to give a quick update. Thanks BookJunkie for saying nothing was wrong and thanks xxsnowbunnyxx, I was hoping that it was on the cute side. After all, what else are eight yearr olds but cute? Hopefully I won't disapoint with this chapter, it's 5:00 in the morning and although I feel wide awake I guess there's room for mistakes. -sighs- If only I had a proper spell-check instead of this online thing that I can't even copy and paste the corrections to save me time. But oh well, I love this story and I want to keep reveiwers happy. P

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It was 12:10 when Wyatt arrived with his mom and boy was Jude happy! He had got up and immediately greeted his friend while the mother apologized for being late. Jen had shyly got up, suddenly feeling akward. She had just met this boy and although he was nice and they got along great, he was still pretty much a stranger to her. She felt it wasn't right to intrude in their little plans just because she was alone and felt sorry for herself, so blushing and murmuring a faint goodbye she stared to leave.

Wyatt was smiling at his friend, asking him about why he was wet and how he got that skateboard when Jude had turned around to introduce an already leaving girl. "Mrs.Williams, Wyatt, I'd like you to meet my friend Jen here." he said as he gave her a smile and she blushed some more, stopping her attempt to leave unnoticed. "She let me use her skateboard and we hung out awhile so is it okay if she tags along too?" he asked Mrs.Williams and also Wyatt, hoping it was okay.

Mrs.Williams looked over to the eight year old girl and smiled, "Of course," she started but then her expression changed to a slightly concerned one. 'But where are your parents? Are you alone here?" she asked with her dark eyes focusing in on how the young girl squirmed uncomfortably.

"My mom is here, but I'm afraid that she's too busy right now and left me to play for awhile." she looked up at the older woman's expression and reliesed how bad that sounded. "Not that she abandoned me! I just decided I wanted to go outside of the arcade that's all..." she added quickly, her blue eyes wide hoping that the lady could understand.

Wyatt had to smile at the girl's rushed antics and went over, "Hi Jen, my name is Wyatt Williams...I'm a good friend of Jude's." He said a little softly as he lightly nodded to her. Jen smiled back and noticed how completely different Jude's friend was compared to him. He was shy and kind, not totally laid back and more of that nice kid that would get A's and got along with everybody. He was dark, but that didn't matter to her. Why would it? Race wasn't a factor and she was already beginning to like Wyatt. He had light brown eyes as opposed to his mother's dark ones and his wirey hair wasn't black or braided, merely a brown tamed afro upon his little head.

"Hi Wyatt, nice to meet you." she then looked up his mother and gave a nod of thanks and a sincere smile. "Also, thank you Mrs.Willaims for allowing me to come along." she said sweetly and Mrs.Williams had to smile and give a small laugh.

"No problem at all dear." she replied. Hearing Jude's stomach rumble her small laugh turned to a greater one. "Now, I know my boys are hungry and I'm sure the little lady would like to have a bite as well. So why don't we all head for the food court and pick out something to eat?" she suggested. Jude had cheered and nodded over and over frantically as Wyatt and the 'little lady' also agreed. Mrs.Williams gave a little wink and took the children over to the food court.

At the food court

"I feel like eating Tacos..." Jude said as they were deciding what to eat.

"Well I like noodles better..." Wyatt said as he glanced over to the Chinese fast food restaurant

"Jen, which one would you choose?" Jude asked her, with his eyes pleading for her to choose Tacos.

"Err... I don't really feel like eating, so you guys decide." was Jen's shy reply.

"No way, you're eating as well new buddy, so which one?" Said Wyatt boldly, trying to hint towards the Chinese restaurant.

"How about burgers and fries since we can't choose between either one?" Jen suggested and from the look on the boys faces they actually thought it was a good idea, thus ending the argument.

Wyatt told his 'mum' what they wanted to eat so they headed over to a burger joint that was taken from the 50's and made into a diner. The three kids stood in line with Mrs.Williams and had all wanted the Happy Kidz Komboz meal that included a surprise toy. Jude's stomach growled once again at him and he clutched around the upset belly. The line seemed to take forever to the impatient toddler and the off-key music was irritating him. "Ugh...When is it gunna be our turn?" he asked Wyatt's mother as his stomacher gurgled for the second time. She replied with a 'Soon 'as she tried to count how many people were in front of them.

"Only a couple more people dear, so just be paitient." she said to him kindly and gave him a tolerant smile.

Jen looked at the pained expression on his face and once again saw those hungry eyes. "Did you even eat breakfast?" she asked blinking at the thought of actually skipping the most important meal of the day. Her gym teacher and snowboard trainer always said to have a good balanced breakfast so that you can give the day with 110. Didn't he know that too?

Wyatt was the one who answered, "Jude doesn't eat breakfast, his parents go to work early and his mom always leaves him some money for the bus. He comes here on his own and we usually meet up for lunch and keep him company." he shrugged lightly at the news that had Jen's eyes wide and her jaw dropped. She then had turned her head sharply to look at the boy with the ashamed downcast eyes.

"You're parents let you come here alone! You mean you are all by yourself for the whole day here in this mall?" she asked disbelievingly. Jude grimaced and looked at her from the corners of his eyes, his head low and his hands in his pocket.

"It's not like that-" he started but was interrupted by the parent here and she smiled sadly, knowing how hard it was for Jude to talk about that. "Kids, were up. What would you all like?"

The boys happy for a distraction quickly said, "Happy Kidz Komboz!" and Jen nodded in agreement. Mrs.Williams nodded back and told the cashier..s? that they wanted to order the Kidz Komboz. It was then the four grimaced as the 'off-key music' was actually the off key singing and they got an earful of cheesy (no pun intended) songs about cheeseburgers and patties. Gah, it was murder to their eardrums.

When they got their orders the kids took their trays to sit down at a table. Wyatt was putting his little pinky in his ear to get rid of the ringing that had begun. Jen laughed and sat down beside Jude and Wyatt beside his mother of course. This was all still pretty weird for her but it was a nice weird... She liked how easy it was to talk to them and how they weren't so 'bleh' to the fact she was a girl.

Jude on the other hand was trying to conceal the fact he was embarrassed beyond belief. For a kid of eight like him, the need to fit in and be excepted was great. Wyatt was the only one who knew of his real life, and now this girl knew and he barely even knew her! A blush formed on his face as he unwrapped his cheeseburger and took a bite. He remembered her wide, disbelieving eyes and knew that was how everyone would react when hearing his story. Wyatt was pretty casual about it, though he told his mom and they had set up little things to make it all better.

'Wyatt... Why did you tell her?' he thought to himself as he dipped a fry into the ketchup. Perhaps it was because she was alone too, and her mother left her alone in the arcade like his did at the mall. he looked over at the happy girl eating her meal and chatting with his friend, comparing what they liked and disliked. She seemed WAY different from him, almost stuck up in a way... But she was really nice, he could tell. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad having her around, she wasn't like any girl he met yet. He wasn't into the cootie thing, but he had definitely stayed with the crowd of his own gender. Who wants to play dress up anyways?

Awhile later

"Okay kids, what would you like to do next?" Mrs.Williams asked. The boys shrugged as the looked around, slightly bored at all the clothing stores and big kids stuff. It was only when their eyes fell upon one particular store did they suddenly seem live and awake.

"TOY STORE!" they both shouted and ran towards the glass that portrayed all the cool action figures. They pressed their faces up against it and their eyes skidded over all the shiny objects.

Jen folded her arms and shook her head. "Boys..." she said pointedly and with a raise of her head and a 'huff' she walked towards the entrance of the mini mall made just for kids. Mrs.Williams laughed at her antics and gave an amused smile.

"Okay...Toys it is..."

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"I wanna be the knight!" Wyatt said as he picked up an action figure of an armored man.

"'Kay, I'll be the fearsome dragon..." he said as he picked up a stuffed toy dragon. The two started play fighting and Jen was busy checking out a selection of dolls. Actually, she didn't like Barbie at all, she was trying to figure out what other girls saw in her. 'She's just made of plastic' she thought to herself.

"Gosh, this isn't working Jude!" Wyatt said and stopped the fighting.

"Why not?" Jude asked curiously, tilting his head at the two toys as to see what was wrong with them.

"Well, we gotta have something for the knight to win when he defeats the dragon." Wyatt said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I mean, why fight when theirs nothing to gain?"

Jude nodded, " I see your point guy, we are gunna need to think of something..." His eyes wandered over to Jen as she picked up a princess Barbie. His eyes widened in thought. "How's about a princess? Hey Jen! Do you wanna play with us? Bring that Barbie doll too!" he called over, startling her as she checked the princess in her hand.

"Okay.." she said and made her way over to the Toy Mat, a place kids could play and try out toys. She sat down next to the three so it almost was like a small triangle between them. "What are you playing anyway and what does 'she' " Jen waved the Doll Princess in her hand "-have to do with it?" she asked and noted the dragon and knight. Jude and Wyatt smiled proudly before answering, content that she wanted to play.

"We are playing 'Knight and Dragon' " Jen gave a giggle at the obviousness. Wyatt just gave a pointed look before continuing "And we will be fighting over the princess because Jude captured you and now I have to save you." Jude nodded in agreement. Jen on the other hand stared at them both.

"You want me to play damsel in distress and let you just win me over like I'm a trophy?" she asked skeptically, her brows furrowed together in obvious disagreement.

"Yes." they both said obliviously and Jen sighed. "Okay, whatever..." she said and placed her Barbie behind the Dragon.

"Help me help me!" cried the princess as she stared at her knight, Wyatton as the evil Dragon Dude held her captive in his wake. "Don't worry Princess Jennifer I'll save you!" cried Wyatton importantly as he charged at the evil beast. "No way am I letting you have the princess!" Cried Dragon Dude in a raspy voice as he too charged towards his enemy. The two battled it out, plastic sword against fluff as they fought for possession of the princess. In fact, the fight looked so intense that Princess Jennifer just couldn't stand to watch. "Okay, you two don't have to fight over me!" she squealed girlishly. Wyatton shook his head, "I must save my Lady!" he cried bravely and once again charged after the Dragon. But... Dragon Dude caught the plastic knight with his plushy mouth and Wyatton fell prey to the cotton teeth. "NOOO!" cried the bold knight and he died. Dragon Dude laughed, "Yay! I won the princess!"

"Oh no you didn't!" Cried the princess-WARRIOR Princess as she stood as Xena. Dragon Dude's jaw dropped Wyatton as he gazed in confusion. That momentary lapse cost him as Xena let out a "EEEEEE YAYAYAYYAYA!" and killed Dragon Dude. "Hah! Told you I wasn't just some sort of prize!" she said confidently.

"Jen!" said Wyatt, sighing as he put down the plastic knight. "That's not how it goes! You're the princess, you are supposed to be weak and vulnerable like a girl!" he said and rolled his eyes at her. "Don't you know that?"

Jude looked down at Dragon Dude. "Oooh.. She knocked the stuffing out of him!" he said in wonder, "Can princesses do that?"

"Yes..." Jen said and folded her arms, "Girls can do anything, and we are not vulnerable and weak!" she said with a huff and turned her head to the side.

"Wait a second, nobody's weak and all... Why don't we just relax and play something else?" Jude suggested and with only child-like innocence the two nodded and forgot

that they were angry at each other. All at the mention of playing...

Four Hours Later

The three new friends had been everywhere with Mrs.Williams, having fun and simply talking. The favourite thing they've done by far was the amusement ride, though Wyatt was scared to go on at first and Jen wondered if she'd be able to keep her lunch. In the end he loved it and she got to keep the food well in her stomach. Jude had skated around as they went from store to store and took on teaching Jen how to do it properly. She was happy to say she was getting better and better and although she wouldn't try half of the stuff Jude was doing (he always fell flat on his butt) she managed to keep the speed up and go in the direction she wanted.

They went back to the fountain happily as the kids decided they needed a break. They had bought ice cream and sitting beside the fountain being as cute as cute can be was a definite Hallmark moment.

Mrs.Williams smiled at the children and casually looked around as she got a moment's peace. Her eyes landed on the big clock and she was shocked so much time had passed. "Oh gosh, 4:30 already?" she asked herself as she checked on her own silver band wristwatch.

Jen stopped licking her strawberry vanilla ice cream and her blue eyes widened to a scary width. "Oh my gosh! My mom is coming back right now! I gotta go to the arcade quick!" she said and started to get up. "Thank you for a great time Mrs.Williams. Goodbye Wyatt, Goodbye Jude." she said and started to leave.

"Wait, your skateboard!" Jude yelled and waved it with his two hands. Jen quickly turned around. Jude looked sad, "I had a fun time, will you be coming here tomorrow?" he asked her shyly. Jen blinked at him, considering it. I mean-she did need those skateboard lessons and she did have fun. After all, he loved skateboarding so much why not let him have another go for tomorrow?

She gave him a smile "Sure, I'll be at the water fountain tomorrow at the same time as today. Do you have a telephone?" she asked him. Jude nodded and Mrs.Williams gave her a pen and paper. Jen quickly scribbled it down and handed the two items to Jude. She then turned to Wyatt, "Will you be here tomorrow too?" she asked hopefully, as today he had become her new buddy as well.

Wyatt nodded, giving her a shy smile as he glanced at his mom for approval. She nodded to him and his shy smile broke into a wide happy one. "Yups! We will both be here tomorrow at noon."

Jen waved once again, happy to know that her new friends would definitely see each other again. Taking her skateboard and ice cream, she headed back to the arcade where she hoped a not-to-worried mother waited for her.

The two boys watched the little girl leave and smiled. Wyatt saw his mother getting up, knowing that it was time to go and make dinner for dad. Sighing, he turned to Jude, "Hey we gotta go too, so should we drive you home?" he asked with concern and pouted over his best friend's well being. Jude just grinned and nodded, glad that he wouldn't be left here on his own again. Hey, after all it was three hours before his mom came home so he'd probably be able to play some video games and watch a few cartoons.

So they too left and the three had returned back to the comfort of their homes, looking forward to another day that would turn out to be the start of a forever growing friendship.