“Gab! Gab!”

It was Tess, a lonely Year 8 girl. Tess stood by the library doors every lunchtime, until Mrs. Millbush, the librarian, had eaten her lunch and opened the library to students. Gab always made sure to say hello when she saw her. Tess adored Gab, and while her zealous hugs were sometimes more than Gab wanted, Gab let that slide, knowing that Tess craved positive attention.

Gab put her books down on the study room veranda for the second time in ten minutes walked towards Tess. The younger girl threw her arms around Gab and squeezed. She smelled faintly of cheddar cheese and cats, and wore an ankle-length skirt, a plaid shirt, and her hair in a long ponytail.

“How are you, Tess?” asked Gab.

“I’m okaaay,” Tess replied, finishing her hug reluctantly and standing right up close to Gab, a bit closer than was socially acceptable. “It’s sooo hot though.” Unfortunately Tess complained a lot, so other kids avoided her. Gab often thought that if Tess’s peers had taken time to understand Tess’s challenges, they’d have more time for her.

“I got 49% on a math test today,” Tess whined, “but I should have gotten higher. It’s not fair. Mrs. O’Grady’s always giving me low marks in Maths!”

“Oh, that’s okay,” said Gab, “you’ll do better next time. Maybe I could help you study?”

“What if I don’t do better next time?” worried Tess. “My dad says if I fail another test, I’m banned from TV for a week! I’ll miss all my favourite shows. I can’t let that happen!”

“Come on,” said Gab, “let’s go to the canteen.”

The school canteen was a little tin shack under a flowering gum. It sat on the back fence of the school, with cords running out from one of the portable classrooms to power its mini fridge and freezer. The latter was always stocked abundantly with icy-poles, but even then they were never enough for the voracious student appetite for cooling treats.

“What are you going to buy?” asked Tess suggestively as they approached the canteen-shed.

“An icy-pole for you. Want one?”

“Yay! Yes please! You’re so nice.” Tess hugged Gab mid-stroll. “You’re always getting me icy poles!”

And it was true. But what had started as a thoughtful deed had now led to a situation where Tess would now come looking for Gab, suggestively hedging for treats without actually asking directly. And Gab hated to say no. She figured it was worth giving in, even if she did feel a little harried at times; worn down even. But she wasn’t about to hurt the feelings of an already fragile and lonely thirteen-year-old, just to save fifty cents and ten minutes of her time. Nevertheless, if she offered first, she wouldn’t be nagged.

Having made their purchase, Gab walked Tess back to the library.

“What are you going to do for the rest of lunchtime?” Gab asked.

“I don’t know. Can you come and hang out with me in the library? Can we play chess?” Tess asked.

“Oh, not today, Tess. I came out of Maths late and I haven’t had lunch yet.”

“Awww,” Tess whined.

“Another time,” assured Gab.

“Okay,” said Tess. “I’ll probably just play computer games then or talk to Mrs. Milbush. At least I’ll have this icy pole while I’m waiting for the library to open.”

They reached the library and Gab said good-bye, but Tess wouldn’t let her leave without a third hug.

Back at the study block veranda, Gab picked up the books from where she’d left them and headed inside to finish her icy pole and have her lunch.