Bruno sat alone at the edge of the village after everyone he used to play with ran away when his eyes turned green. He didn't mean to use his gift, it had just slipped out. He had only gotten it a few days before and it was tricky. Footsteps came from behind him and someone sat down next to him. Keeping his head down, "I didn't mean to scare them Julieta."

"I know you didn't," a girl spoke from beside him but it wasn't Julieta or Pepa. Looking over he saw tawny hair, skin lighter than his, and bright green eyes looking back at him, "But I'm Carina." Smiling at him, "Hi Bruno."

Rolling his eyes, "Carina…" Then slumping his shoulders, "Are you going to run away too?"

"Do you want me to?" the question hung in the air for a moment. He shook his head, "Then why should I?" He turned to her again as she continued, "I'm your friend."

Whispering, "You're not afraid of me?"

Shaking her head firmly, "No, why should I be?" Picking up a rock she threw it across the river, "I can't control everything either, and your gift is bigger than anything I have." Looking back at him again, "We're in this together."

Feeling lighter Bruno picked up a rock too and threw it across the river. His skipped only three times when hers had skipped five, "You win."

She picked up another rock, "Two out of three?"

Grinning, "You're on!" They spent the rest of the day skipping rocks and climbing trees happy in their friendship. Alma Madrigal smiled as the five year olds played their simple game, at least one of Bruno's friends was sticking with him.