>Be Evan.

>Be in middle school, headed to lunch with Brian Dinkins.

>Stop in front of cafeteria doorway. It's blocked by a happy teenage couple. Cheerleader wearing her beau's football jersey. The portrait of adolescent puppy love.

>They embrace and kiss each other on the lips before parting ways.

>Isn't that nice, Brian says mockingly.

>The couple breaks their liplock and head their separate ways.

>Brian and Evan make to walk through the cafeteria doors, but a group of eight graders suddenly barges through from the other side.

>Brian dodges out of the way just in time, but the largest one plows his shoulder into Evan's chest and Evan goes sprawling.

>The eighth graders keep moving down the hall, not stopping.

>Brian slips into the lunchroom without a word.

>Evan lies on the floor, embarrassed and winded but not hurt. Spectators are snickering, murmuring.

>Then he hears a voice from above him.

>Evan, are you okay?

>He looks up.

>It's Lily Trent, who rides his bus.

>She's got her backpack over one shoulder.

>She looks irritated, like she can't believe the guy who plowed into him would choose such a target.

>I'm fine, he says, and climbs to his feet.

>Just ignore him, she says. He's an asshole.

>It's all good, Evan says, dusting himself off. No harm done.

>You're a nice guy, Lily says to him. They shouldn't have done that.

>Thanks, says Evan. He appreciates the concern, but he wants to put this moment behind him.

>He runs into the lunchroom after Brian.

>See you, Lily calls after him.