“So, let me get this straight,” Grace said as she pulled on a pair of designer sunglasses. “You want to use the kids in the hospital for your project?”

Christian, who was sitting in the passenger seat, answered with a nod.

“If that is all right,” added Marisol from the back seat.

Grace glanced at Marisol via the rearview mirror and smiled. As she had guessed, the sophomore really was a sweet girl. Grace had also guessed that although she was sweet, Marisol was painfully shy. Unfortunately, being painfully shy in school did not guarantee a great experience. Grace had learned that lesson the hard way when she was younger. With the old subject dropped, Grace knew she needed to get Marisol to open up early or else she’d forever clam up. Before doing so, she glanced at Christian to see if he would be any help. With the laid back look in his eyes, he seemed content with the silence. And so, she was on her own.

“So, Marisol…” Grace started.

Marisol looked up in surprise. “Yes?”

“Tell us about yourself,” Grace said carefully, hoping the question didn’t already scare her.

Christian turned around and gazed in Marisol’s direction, curious.

“What would you like to know?” she asked softly.

Grace was hoping Marisol would automatically answer her question by telling the story of her life. Unfortunately, she asked a question Grace was not ready for. Unable to answer, Grace looked at Christian and with her eyes, silently pleading for help.

“Uhh… share anything,” Christian answered with a shrug.

In turn, Marisol gave the two of them a blank look.

“All right. I have an idea,” Grace said, filling the silence. “Why don’t we all share a little about ourselves?” She hoped her suggestion would help Marisol feel more comfortable.

Christian smirked. “Fine. But you’ll have to go first.”

Grace submitted in agreement and nodded. “Well… I’m Grace… Moon. I have an older sister in college and living in New York. Umm… I’m a senior.” Pause. “I like volunteering at the hospital. I also like shopping. Movies. Eating.” Another pause. “I love Coldplay. I’d marry Chris Martin if I could. I’d love for him to write songs about me, but they’d have to be better than the song he wrote for Gwenyth, ‘Moses.’ Ick.” Pause. “Umm… and I am Stony Creek High’s Winterball Princess. Heck yeah.”

Christian actually chuckled. “Heck yeah, indeed.”

Grace smiled smugly. “All right, Baxter. I do believe it’s your turn.”

He shrugged. “I’m Christian. Please, no nicknames. I’m an only child… living with my dad.” Pause. “I don’t like school. I like Taco Bell. Naps are great.” Pause. “I’m a fan of Coldplay, but unlike Grace, I really don’t care who Chris Martin is dating.” Another pause. “And I am Stony Creek’s reigning slacker.”

“Heck yeah,” Grace added. “And… Marisol? What about you?”

Marisol cleared her throat. “I’m Marisol. I’m a sophomore.” Pause. “I moved here from Mexico just this year. I live with my tio –” she shook her head quickly. “I mean my uncle, and auntie, right now. I don’t know of this Coldplay you were talking about…”

Grace interrupted her. “You’re listening to them right now.”

Marisol smiled. “Oh. Then, I like them.” Pause. “And I am just a lowly commoner of Stony Creek.”

Just as Marisol finished up her introduction, Grace drove into the hospital’s parking lot. Surprisingly, the parking lot was fairly empty that afternoon, allowing her to find a parking spot right away. After successfully parking between a green Volkswagen and a huge white SUV, Grace met up with Christian and a silent Marisol.

“So, listen,” Grace said as she led, with Christian and Marisol trailing closely behind, “just wait in the lobby while I ask. Although, I’m pretty sure it’ll be alright.”

“Thanks again,” Marisol said softly from behind.

Ten minutes later, Grace met up with Marisol and Christian in the empty hospital lobby. When she was spotted, both got up from their seats and put away the dated magazines they were reading. From Grace’s grin, they could tell it was good news.

“Alright, you guys, follow me,” she said happily.

“So, it’s alright?” Christian asked, walking slightly behind the two.

Grace turned around, walking backwards and nodded. “Of course. The hospital never turns volunteers away. Plus, the nurses could use an extra hand… or four.”

Christian’s sour expression at her attempt of a joke resulted in Grace poisoning him with a stink eye.

“It was funny,” she defended.

Christian shrugged. “Sorry, but you and funny just don’t go together.”

“You know, opposites attract,” she countered.

“You’re attracted to funny?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“I’m confused.”

“So am I.”

“Are we going the right way?” Marisol piped in, concerned that they were being guided by a still backward walking Grace.

“Huh?” Grace asked.

Suddenly, she broke her concentration and fell on her butt. Hard. On the floor, she looked up and found Christian trying hard to fight back a smile. Marisol, with concern in her eyes, immediately held out her hand to help her up. Grace graciously accepted the help and pulled herself up, cheeks flaming.

“Thanks,” she said to Marisol.

“Y’know,” Grace then said to Christian as she dusted off her bottom, “in movies, the guy usually saves the girl from an embarrassing and sometimes painful fall.”

Christian immediately wiped his face clean of smiles. “You’re right. And I’m sorry for laughing.”

“When you’re off those crutches, just make sure you save a girl from a fall.”

Christian nodded. “Will do.”

With the embarrassing fall still in mind, Grace continued to lead the small group to their destination. She walked forward, unconsciously applying pressure to her bottom in order to ease the pain. Christian found himself glancing down the several times it happened, making him feel like a pervert. And Marisol continued to watch the two bicker and banter, finding it surprisingly entertaining. After a long walk down the bright corridor of the hospital, they all knew they were getting closer to the playroom. The sound of the children’s laughter and chatter got louder with every step taken. Once they reached the door, Grace peeked in through the window.

“They look extra playful today,” she observed. “I hope you two are ready.”

- - - -

Christian looked around the noisy room, taking it all in. He hadn’t really thought about what he might be getting into, but after stepping into the playroom and already dodging two shrieking kids, reality sunk in.

“They’re… hyper,” he said, amazed at their energy.

“They’re kids,” Grace responded.

Christian laughed nervously. “Yeah. Of course.”

Grace turned to Marisol and was surprised to see her looking calm, so unlike their male companion.

“And what about you?” Grace asked, “Do you think you’ll be fine?”

Marisol nodded. “Oh, yes. I have many cousins in Mexico. I used to baby-sit them all.”

“That’s great. Maybe you could teach Christian a thing or two. He looks a little nervous,” Grace said, openly making fun of her edgy friend.

“I’m just not used to seeing so many hyper kids,” he defended.

“Alright,” Grace said, forcing herself to speak louder in the noisy room. “I guess we’ll have to find you a quiet kid?”

“Well, I’d prefer someone less hyper him,” he said, singling out an eight-year-old boy running around the room for no apparent reason.

Grace laughed. “Of course. Someone less hyper than Billy.”

“Come on, I think I have the perfect kid for you,” she added after quickly scanning the room.

Before leaving with Christian, Grace then turned to Marisol. “I think I can pick someone out for you too if you can’t decide.”

Marisol shook her head and continued to study the eight-year-old blue eyed boy. “No, I think I shall pick Billy.”

Christian laughed in disbelief as he, too turned his attention to the most hyper child in the room. “You’re not serious?”

“Well, wouldn’t it be a good idea if we studied children with… different behaviors?”

It sounded like a good idea, but Christian really didn’t want Marisol stuck with the hyper kid. However, before he could say anything else, his partner was already walking off, assuring him that she didn’t mind. Even with her continued reassurance, it didn’t feel right. And though he felt bad, he was also relieved. He watched from across the room as Marisol spoke to Billy, and knew he would not be able to control the kid. Marisol would probably do more good than he would. If he were in his partner’s shoes, he’d have dealt with his hyper behavior by bribery.

“Looks like she’s doing well,” Grace observed, watching also as Marisol miraculously led a now walking Billy away towards an empty table.

“Amazing,” Christian muttered under his breath.

Grace pulled on his shirt sleeve then to get his attention. “Well, come on. I’ll introduce you to Natalie.”

Christian followed as Grace walked toward the far side of the messy room. She stopped at an empty table and approached the tiny brown haired girl named Natalie. She was concentrating on her coloring, careful not to cross the solid black line. She did not look up at the approaching visitors until Grace spoke.

“Hey there, Natalie. What’re drawing there?” Grace asked sweetly.

Natalie looked up at her thru her thick glasses and responded happily. “Mermaids. Like Ariel from “The Little Mermaid.”

“Hey, that’s neat,” Grace commented. She paused and quickly glanced at Christian.

“Natalie? Would you like it if someone else colored with you?” Grace asked, obviously careful with her words.

Just by watching Grace interact with Natalie, he understood how much work it took to simply be around kids. He needed to watch his language and be aware of an eight year old’s feelings. It was going to be difficult, but he had to remind himself that he got the good kid, whereas Marisol did not.

When Natalie cheerfully agreed to Grace’s suggestion, Christian stepped forward. Grace introduced him then, explaining that he was going to spend the afternoon with her.

Christian squatted next to Natalie just so she wouldn’t hurt her neck by continuing to look up at them. He glanced down at her coloring book and as he did that, he knew he was being studied by Natalie.

“She’s pretty,” Christian said, pointing at a dark-haired mermaid.

Natalie looked down and nodded happily. “Yeah. She’s my favorite.”

Christian smiled back, knowing he was going to be all right.

“She’s mine, too.”

Satisfied, Grace left the two alone. Like Marisol and Christian, she had a particular child to visit that afternoon.

- - - -

Grace was at the nurse’s station copying down her new schedule when Christian appeared at her side. She quickly put her schedule away and after noticing Marisol was not around, asked about her whereabouts.

“She had to leave about fifteen minutes ago,” Christian answered casually.

“Damn,” Grace muttered. “I would have given her a ride home.”

Christian shrugged. “No big deal. She caught the bus.”

Grace looked up apologetically. “I really am sorry I didn’t check up on you guys, though. It was a busy afternoon and I had to visit Anne. I didn’t realize how late it was until you showed up just now-”

He cut her off, slightly annoyed at how polite she was being. “Grace. Don’t stress about it.”

Grace nodded. “Right. Well, since it’s getting pretty late, let’s at least pick up food.”

At the mention of food, Christian’s stomach growled – loudly. At that point, Grace really didn’t need a verbal answer.

- - - -

“So, was pairing you up with Natalie a good idea?” Grace asked, raising her voice to compete with the echoes of loud chatter and footsteps.

Christian nodded, “Yeah. She’s a good kid.”

It would have been hard to keep a conversation going while they maneuvered through the crowd of shoppers. And so, they remained silent as they made their way to Taco Bell.

It was a particularly crowded Monday night at Stony Creek’s most popular hangout and Grace could tell just by the strained look on Christian’s face that he was not enjoying the company of other strangers. Walking with crutches is a feat in itself; Christian had to walk while trying to dodge other shoppers in a crowded mall. Once they reached Taco Bell, Grace had to sigh at the sight of the busy fast-food restaurant.

“Damn it,” Christian muttered. “Don’t these kids have homework to do tonight?”

Grace forced a smile. “Cheer up, Christian. We’re at Taco Bell. This is practically heaven for you.”

“Minus these kids.”

“We need to take the food to go and get you out of here,” Grace said, noticing how cranky Christian was getting.

After giving his order to the cashier without so much as a glance at the menu, Christian took a step aside for Grace. Immediately, Grace could feel the cashier’s eyes boring on her. It took just five seconds flat, but the blonde sixteen year old behind the counter had already scanned her upper body and after resting his eyes on her face, gave her a sleazy smile.

“Hey. Welcome to Taco Bell. What can I get you?” he asked.

Grace cursed herself for not being prepared. For the second time that day, she was looked to Christian for help, but once again, he was oblivious to her silent pleading. While quickly trying to scan the menu, the over confident blonde had the nerve to lean closer to Grace.

He was still giving her a sleazy smile when he started to whisper, “I get off in a half hour if you’re-”

Grace knew how to cut him off and turned him down in one step.

“Sweetie?” Grace said loudly to Christian.

Christian turned around looked at her in great confusion. Grace hoped he caught the help she mouthed.

“Is the number 5 any good?” she asked.

“Why number 5 is delicious, Carrot Cake,” he answered after a short pause. Christian shrugged, still a little confused.

Grace coughed, masking her amusement and disgust at the Carrot Cake pet name he had just given her. Luckily, the sad performance worked as when Grace gave her attention back to the cashier, he had backed off and looked bored while she completed her order.

Once out of Taco Bell and out of sight, Grace smacked Christian on the arm with her free hand.

“Carrot Cake? You couldn’t come up with a better pet name for me other than Carrot Cake?” Grace asked, now fully showing her surprise and amusement.

“Grace! I had no idea what the hell you were doing! Plus, it was either Carrot Cake or Fried Churro. I’m not very good with pet names,” he explained.

Grace laughed at the thought of being called Fried Churro. Carrot Cake was bad, but Fried Churro would have been humiliating.

“Christian. We need to get you a girlfriend. You need to work on your pet name skills.”

“Instead of giving her a pet name, I’d rather call her by her real name, Carrot Cake” Christian countered with a grin.

Grace rolled her eyes. “And anyway, that boy behind the counter was hitting on me. I needed to get him off my back somehow.”

Christian took a second to rethink what had just happened at Taco Bell.

“Ohhhh. I get it!” he said just as they exited the mall.

Grace smiled. “Goodness, Christian. You’re quite the entertainer.”