I said catching up to Winnie. “My mood ring is dark blue.” Winnie took my hand in hers, studied the ring and announced, “Etoile, that means you are in a very romantic mood,” she said giggling. I quickly pulled my hand away and felt my cheeks redden. “I think it means I was chasing you too hard around the playground.” “And you still cannot get me. Catch you on the flip side,” she said taking off ahead of me. She had long legs like Jean. I tried to catch up with her but stopped abruptly when Dale Batchelder emerged from behind a tree and blocked my way. “Chasing after your girlfriend?” he asked, his eyes pinched against the sun. I turned and ran the other way back towards the school. Winnie saw me and came running up beside me, throwing her arm around my neck the way she always did and tugging at me. “How come you stopped chasing me?” she asked. “I just did not feel like it anymore. It is too hot.” Winnie punched me in the arm. “Don’t be such a spaz,”
