Melrose school playground

Two small children are building sand castles in a sandbox at the playground of Melrose school.

A dark haired gaunt child with hair shoved in a beanie scooped sand into a pail with her tiny hands

Shane: Tina can you pass me the shovel?

Next to Shane sat a determined Tina. Her blond hair was up in a messy pony tail she had her tongue sticking out a bit concentrating on her sand castle.

Tina: Okay, just one second Shane.

To the right of the sandbox Elizabeth Porter a mocha skinned little girl with wavy brown hair was reading from her kindle under a large shaded tree. She preferred reading than playing on swings, sports, or hop scotch. It was her first day at Melrose and she was enjoying it. Her teachers were kind and the other kids in her classes were fun to play with.

James pulls up to the school and parks his car with Ann right behind him following.

He gets out of the car.

James: So this is it. Welcome to Melrose school.

He smiles.

Ann: Thank you so much for this James. I definitely would’ve been late had it not been for you.

They begin walking to the playground behind the school to collect their kids.

Tina stands and lifts a finger to her chin inspecting her masterpiece. She claps and smiles approvingly over her work. Looking towards the gate to see if her Dad arrived she sees a girl she hasn’t seen before.

Tina: Hey Shane, who’s that over there?

She points to a lone girl sitting against a tree who looks to be reading.

Shane: Oh that’s the new girl Emily or Emma… OH wait no it’s Elizabeth! Yeah that’s it. Elizabeth. (Did Shane ever remember the names of girls? heh J)

Tina: Elizabeth huh?

Tina stands and pats her hands and walks over to Bette. She was a curious girl not shy at all, she loved making friends.

She stood in front of Bette.

Tina: Hey. What are you reading?

Bette not wanting to be bothered shrugs her shoulders continuing to look down at her kindle.

Tina ignores her shrugs and continues to chat her up.