He slowly pumped his legs and began to glide back and forth. He looked over and saw the players in his four-square group starting their regular game. Ben played every day, but today he wasn’t in the mood. Loop was in the group, and he didn’t feel like talking to him. But Loop was staring at him. He caught Ben’s eye and smiled. Ben looked away with a frown. All of the fourth graders had recess at the same time, so most of Ben’s soccer teammates were out on the playground, too. Mark and Erin were playing four square, and Shayna and Kim were jumping rope on the basketball court. Omar and Darren were with a group shooting baskets at the other end of the court. “I bet I can swing higher.” Ben looked over and saw Jordan walking toward him, pointing at the swing next to Ben. He grinned and sat down. Ben hadn’t known Jordan before the soccer season, and they’d hardly spoken. But they’d made some good passes to each other lately in practice and in the games. They were both quick and played hard.
