>Be Evan.

>Be in fifth grade, waiting on bus as everyone piles on after class.

>It's his first week at his new school and things are going okay.

>Marty is absent this week, he's got a head cold or something. His mom's really lenient about letting him stay home, unlike Evan's parents who make him go unless he's vomiting.

>Marty's little sister Lily takes a seat by herself a few rows up from the back. Aside from Marty she's the only kid Evan knows so far.

>There's a gaggle of girls toward the back of the bus in brightly colored winter coats and scarves and earmuffs.

>Lily eyes them, looking like she wishes she was included.

>Hey Jessica, she calls back after a moment.

>The three girls cease conversation, look back at her with daggers in their eyes.

>Lily goes for it.

>Do you want to come over to my house today, and have a cupcake?

>The three girls look at each other and dissolve into giggles.

>Lily gets a look of resignation on her face. This is what she expected.

>Don't talk to us, TRENT, snaps Jessica.

>Lily turns around, and Evan half expects her to wipe a tear away, but she just pulls out her headphones and puts them on and looks out the window.

>Jessica and her friends go back to their conversation, talking in hushed tones. About Lily, no doubt.

>Evan turns around and puts his own headphones on and listens to the Fuel CD he's taken from Jason's room.