Chapter 2
During free play, I was squatting by the sandpit.
"Alexandra, do you know who that boy is?"
The chubby kid next to me leaned in and asked.
"Alexander Carter. Didn't the teacher introduce him this morning?" I replied.
"No, no, I mean, what's his story? What's his background?" the chubby kid pressed, curiosity written all over his face.
I glanced at Alexander, who was sitting all alone, and shook my head.
"Didn't you come with him this morning?" the chubby kid asked.
"How would I know? He won't even talk to me!" I said.
Just talking about it got me all riled up, and my voice suddenly got way louder.
I glanced at Alexander from the corner of my eye, trying to see if he'd react.
All the other kids turned to look at me.
But Alexander didn't even bat an eye.
Fine.
By the time school was out, almost everyone had already left.
It was just me and Alexander left in the kindergarten.
With no one to talk to, I was bored out of my mind.
Finally, I swallowed my pride and walked over to Alexander.
"Is your dad not here yet?" I asked.
He didn't answer.
"Not gonna answer? Fine," I said, a little annoyed.
I crouched down and started drawing circles in the dirt.
After a while, the teacher came in and called me over.
"Alexandra, your dad's here," she said.
I ran out with a big smile, and my dad was out of breath. He told me the factory had a big shipment today, so he ended up running late.
"It's okay, Dad," I said.
"Dad, is Alexander's dad still not here?" I asked.
"I'm not sure," he replied.
"Then let's just give him a ride home on our way," I suggested.
My dad nodded in agreement and asked the teacher if that was okay.
The teacher went in to talk to Alexander.
Alexander looked out the window at the kindergarten gate, paused for a moment, then nodded.
Finally, my dad took my hand in one hand and Alexander's in the other, and led us out of the kindergarten together.
We walked Alexander to his front door and then headed home.
When we got home, I told my dad that Alexander always ignored everyone.
"He's probably just shy. You should take care of him," Dad said.
"Alright, I'll be a good big sis!" I replied.
Just then, Mom came out of the room, heard me talking, and chuckled.
"He's actually a month older than you. Honestly, you're always up to something," she said.
I grinned and asked Mom, "What's for dinner tonight?"
She said, "Ask your dad."
I said, "But Dad usually cooks your favorites."
Dad patted my head. "Nonsense, you'll eat anything."
Later, in the kitchen, Dad asked Mom why Alexander's dad hadn't come to pick him up.
Mom worked at the local government too, and she worked with Alexander's dad.
I was sitting at the table, messing around with my building blocks, but my mind was totally on what was happening in the kitchen.
Mom said Alexander's dad had just moved here and had a ton of stuff to deal with.
With his wife gone, there was no one to look after Alexander.
"He used to be so cheerful, but after his mom passed away, he just stopped talking," Mom said.
I tried to imagine what Alexander would look like if he was actually cheerful.
Yeah, I got nothing, I just can't picture it.
Poor kid, he's really got it tough.
I couldn't even imagine what it'd be like without my mom around.
I guessed I really needed to look out for him more.
Finally, after a long day at work, Mr. Carter hurried home, only to find Alexander slumped against the wall on the stairs, fast asleep.
He gave a helpless smile, but deep down, his heart just broke for his son.
He walked over and gently lifted Alexander onto his back.
Alexander blinked himself awake, still groggy.
"Dad," he mumbled.
"Hey, Alex, did you have fun at kindergarten today? How were your classmates?" Mr. Carter asked.
Still half-asleep, Alexander suddenly thought of that noisy girl from earlier and cracked a small smile.
"It was okay," he mumbled.
They walked into the house.
Their home lit up with warm light, just one cozy spot among thousands in the city.
After swearing to myself that I'd look out for Alexander more, I decided I'd start hanging out with him tomorrow.
Right after Alexander waved goodbye to his dad, his expression darkened in a flash.
He totally ignored me and just walked off on his own.
But I wasn't about to give up, I just kept trailing after him.
"Alexander, wanna sit together at lunch?" I asked.
He didn't say a word.
For the rest of the day, I just stuck to him like glue.
Every now and then, I'd ask if he wanted to play, or if he wanted some snacks.
Even though I kept sticking to him all day,
Alexander just totally ignored me, right up until school was over.
Every now and then, he'd glance at me for no reason.
When school let out, Mr. Carter still hadn't shown up.
Once again, my dad walked Alexander to his front door.
For the next few days,
I was totally obsessed with getting Alexander to talk to me.
I just stuck to him like glue, always hovering around.
But Alexander was stubborn as a mule, he never once told me to get lost or even bothered to yell at me.
The teacher and the other kids would watch us, teasing us every now and then, but I always clapped back at them.
"I just want to talk to Alexander, that's all," I said.
That was when the teacher would tease me, "Is it just because he's cute that you want to talk to him?"
I glanced at Alexander's pretty face, nodded, then shook my head, not really sure myself.
"He's really good-looking, but that's not the only reason I want to talk to him," I said.
"My dad told me to look after him since he's new here and still getting used to everyone."
The teacher smiled and ruffled my hair, saying I was so thoughtful.