Milo's fingers dug into his mom's palm. He wouldn't let go, even as the school doors swung open. The playground buzzed with kids chasing each other.
He stared at the playground. His lips pressed into a thin line. "Milo? Time for recess!" the teacher called from the doorway.
Milo stepped onto the playground. He spotted a boy sitting alone on a blue bench, swinging his legs. Milo's thumb found the corner of his favorite rocket sticker in his pocket.
He took three steps toward the boy, then stopped. A group of kids zoomed past on bikes. His untied shoelace caught on a crack and he stumbled.
Milo got up. He didn't run back to his mom. He marched to the bench.
The boy looked up, eyebrows raised. Milo stopped in front of him, breathless.
Milo pulled out the rocket sticker and held it out. "For you," he said.
The boy's face lit up. He took the sticker and stuck it on his shirt, right over his heart. Then he patted the empty space beside him.
Milo sat. His hand was still sweaty, but he let go of his mom's hand.
Milo and the boy watched the other kids play. They didn't talk. Milo's rocket sticker gleamed in the sunlight.
The bell rang. Milo smiled.
The bell rang. Milo walked back to the classroom with his new friend, their shoulders bumping.