Earhart & Noonan: An "Us Club" Novel (#1)(NaNoWriMo15)

6. Friend

Evansville

Two Years Ago

"Tag!"

June's busting out through the doors and windows across Evansville. At a park in a quiet part of town, silly bliss flourishes across Stephen's face with how much fun he's having with his two best friends as they play an old schoolyard pastime.

Their way of kicking off the summer hours before anime night strikes.

"Stephen, the tree is Base! You can't touch us!"

"What the...but you never leave it!"

Peter Chaille. A grade older. Taller. Shaggy black mop on his head. Glasses. Evident freckle on his cheek. Ultimately, the only one who could give Stephen's smarts and skills a run for their money.

"So?" he asks, laughing. "It's not like there's a time limit."

"Isn't there a ten-count?"

"Hmph." Peter shrugs. "You tell me."

Stephen smirks. "Now there is. One..."

A poetic count to ten releases them from the apple tree.

Chasing after Peter through the park, Stephen hurdles over a squirrel, flustered over their tear through its territory. Peter's fast. His height's advantageous in his sprint.

Go after the other one. He's slower.

Peter's never "it" when we play.

Yes, he is. He starts the game.

Yeah. But, after he tags someone, forget it!

You're fast, but not fast enough. Go for Jack.

Jack Roper. Same age, but a grade behind. Brown-haired. A bit short. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in surprisingly slick cuts.

He's fast, but not faster than you.

Stephen watches as Jack scouts the scene with the squirrel. He can go to him and make him the "it" factor. Or, he can bust his lungs and kill his spleen in trying to catch Peter because it'll help him train for soccer.

...Peter.

Stephen, you fail each time. Go after Squirrel Boy over there.

Yeah? Nope!

Don't you listen?