"ms. white is not moving from the gate. i don't think we'll get to the library today," abby throws herself onto a lunch bench and sighs, sending faint clouds from her nose. mesmerized by the smoky clouds, drew watches as they quickly whisp into the air and disappear. "we could just play in the snow like the rest of the kids," abby suggests, keeping her eyes on the crowd of first graders frolicking in the hardened snow from last night.
drew and abby find the most secluded patch of snow under the eucalyptus tree. drew darts for the tallest pile and runs up it to declare his rocket. abby rolls her eyes, "your rocket is cool but not as cool as my... meteorite!" abby bends over and gathers a big handful of snow into a round, bumpy shape.
drew's eyes widen, "woahhh," he runs down his rocket and makes his own meteorite. suddenly, he feels a snow ball hit his back and shatter. drew turns around to see abby giggling to herself. "you're meat!" drew yells throwing his meteorite at her as she quickly crouches to get a new hand of snow. abby hits him in the leg and the chest and drew hits her in shoulder before the recess aids stop them.
"what do you think you're doing young man? hitting a girl with snow? i don't think so!" one aid hisses, gripping drew's arm tightly. "i'm sorry, but we were just playing," drew mutters, staring at his light-up sneakers wishing they'd light up. the aid demands them to stop playing in the snow for the rest of recess and walks away.
abby shuffles through the dirty white slush to hold drews icy, wet hand, "ms. white's a meanie." drew forces a smile and nods. abby sighs, sending clouds once again. "hey wanna exchange presents?" abby asks, gripping drew's hand tighter. drew looks up and nods quickly.
abby hides her present behind her back like drew does as they count down. "4, 3, 2, 1, okay!" they quickly give each other their presents and examine theirs. abby hands drew a little box with a paper mache green and gold ball with glitter around the gold swirls. "it's a planet i came up with! its called drewville. where everyone likes drew - their president - and are all astronauts!" drew giggles and examines the tiny planet's every surface. "thank you abby! this is so cool!"
abby opens her present which is a yellow envelope and pulls out a pink sheet of paper with a couple constellations charted on it. "its some of your freckle constellations i remembered! see there's melting cat, alligator in cowboy hat, ladder on a log, and spiderweb!"
"woahhh!" shocked, abby looks at the paper and finds each constellation on her skin. "this is so cool, drew! thank you!" abby pulls drew into a big hug. "you're welcome abby."
YOU ARE READING
blurry nights
General Fiction"my skin is dark as night, but you're the one with constellations across yours"
