Leo found a shiny blue marble on the playground dirt. He rolled it across the concrete with his thumb.
The marble zoomed toward J.J., who was building a block tower. It bounced near his shoes.
J.J. caught the marble and tossed it back. They passed it back and forth, laughing as it flew between their hands.
The sun felt warm on their shoulders. Time moved fast, and soon they were in second grade.
Leo watched J.J. run to play tag with other kids. Leo stood by the cubbies, feeling left out.
A clock ticked loudly on the wall. Leo sat alone at lunch, tracing patterns on the table.
He remembered J.J.'s smile from last year. The memory felt like a held breath, waiting to be released.
Leo walked past J.J. in the hallway and gave a small wave. J.J. waved back without stopping.
Leo smiled softly, holding the happy memory close. Some friendships change, but the good times stay.
He thought about the blue marble rolling in the sun. It was enough to keep him going.