Then
On the days the rain didn't reach the school yard of Forks Elementary, the children were in heaven. The playground was filled with friend groups scattered about, enjoying classic games well as ones of their own devising. The ground was soft from the days before rain, and clothes got stained as bases were run. Amidst it all, three children were in their own corners.
Ethan Kelly was with his pals waiting their turn for the basketball court. He was sipping a Capri Sun and rolling his eyes as his pal Tony waved his arms telling the story of a no hitter he pitched in his baseball game over the weekend. Which was of course bull. But he listened and nodded at kids who said hi as they walked by.
Across the main field on the swingset, Anna Jane Simone tipped her face back and sighed like she was sinking into a toasty bubble bath. In her mind there were few things better than smells, and fall was one of her favorite. Relaxed as a noddle she opened her eyes as she pumped her legs to get even higher.
Cole Masen sat cross legged under a tree not far from the kickball game underway. He liked to watch as kids zooming past made a blur of colors. He'd never been much for sports so he didn't ask to play. He knew it wouldn't be heard if he did. In the two months of the school year he hadn't found a friend amongst the fifth grade class. Then again he hadn't found any in third grade either, so it didn't bother him. Except for when one of the kids decided it was a good day to try to ruin his.
The good weather didn't seem to distract Jason Zillinger and his pack of mutually nasty friends from stalking over to do just that.
"Michael Myers" Jason taunted and with his knee pushed Cole over. "What are ya watching the game like a creep for?"
From her vantage point on the swings Anna saw the move and narrowed her eyes. Another followed when Michael tried to get back up. She'd seen the kids in their grade pick on Michael from time to time but that was school life. Knocking someone over was a horse of a different color though. She straightened her legs, sending woodchips scattering as she stormed off the swingset, and towards the yard.
"Got nothin to say huh? You really are Michael Myers." Jason snickered as his friends joined in.
"Your name is Jason." Cole said quietly.
"What'd you say creeper?"
Even though he heard the tone he knew meant a punch would be coming, Cole sat up. "Your name is Jason. Like the bad guy in Friday the 13th. So why do you think you're cool calling me Michael Myers?"
Instead of a punch Jason pushed Cole back down with bottom of his sneaker and held him there, and started taunting.
Ethan turned his head at the shout and saw the punk of their grade holding some kids face in the mud with his shoe. He put down his juice just as he saw a girl with a crazy ponytail stomping past.
"Kelly, with me." She called in his direction without stopping to see if he followed.
And though he heard his friend's baffled laughter, that's exactly what he did.
The two of them reached the brawl, and Ethan whistled when Anna marched right up and shoved Jason right to the ground. Ethan sidestepped over Cole to block one of Jason's friends that had rushed forward. Cole pushed himself up, confused at the scene.
Jason was up and brushing at his football hoodie, glaring at Anna.
"Oooo please, like you're gonna hit me." Anna rolled her eyes. Go kick rocks Jason. Leave Michael alone or I'll hire Kelly and his band of merry populars to make sure these losers are the only friends you ever know.
"Wouldn't cost a dime." Ethan reached down to help up Cole and then shouldered him behind as Jason marched up, toe to toe with Ethan. "Go for it." He jutted his chin out like his dad had taught him.
Jason snarled and knocked into Ethan's other shoulder as he stormed off, hurling insults as his friends followed.
"Sure hope he learns some creativity or he just won't cut it as the school bully come middle school." Anna snickered and then huffed out a breath as she looked at Cole. "I hope you didn't like this shirt, you got grass stains all over the front." She brushed at it and smiled. "Anyway. Hi Michael, I'm Anna Jane. The muscle here is Ethan."
"You might be the muscle the way you pushed Jason over." Ethan shook his head, marveling. "Do we know each other?"
"Yeesh Ethan, we've had like 3 grades together now. Boys." Anna rolled her eyes and smiled hopefully at Cole.
"You ok there?" Ethan asked him.
"Why did you do that?" He pushed at his hair that had fallen into his face and looked from Anna to Ethan. "Both of you."
Ethan shrugged. "Jason's a jerk. Plus she told me to." He jerked a thumb at Anna, who gave him a backhanded swat on the chest.
"Oh stop, I saw you getting up, you'd had enough too." She smiled at Cole again. He couldn't remember a time someone his age had smiled at him that much. "So have you, huh Michael?"
"Cole. I go by Cole." He said, and returned the smile.
"That's a good name. Nice and strong. You should speak up and have everyone call you that. Although I'm sure to call you Michael if you tick me off." She jabbered on and steered them both towards the school as the bell rang.
Ethan waved over to his friends, and picked up the lunch bag that had been next to Cole. "I think you're in my class, move your seat by me, Mrs. Siegel won't mind."
Cole nodded, unable to say much else. Anna mentioned that after school she was walking to the ice cream parlor in town before it closed for the season and asked if the boys wanted to go too.
And from that noisy laughing trip to get sundaes, they weren't in their own corners anymore.
Now
Hayley's chin rested on her hands as it had from Anna's swing set jump and on. She sat back as she let out her breath and grinned at Cole, who grinned back.
"So. A story you want to hear?" As Ethan once had, Cole reached out a hand.
"Name the time and place." Hayley clasped his hand in hers and shook.
