SPENCER GERALD

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It was the end of the day, the day before fall break. There was no practice today, so I was walking home, like Jaden. She was carrying an art portfolio, hugging it to her chest as if it were full of precious jewels. She was bundled into her winter coat, faux fur from the hood sitting in contrast against her pale cheek. I tugged on my mitten, using my index and ring finger to turn my ring around inside of my mitten. As we stepped outside, she let out a breath. We walked on, not at all speaking. She began to walk faster as we spotted someone outside of her house. I let her go, uttering a quiet, "Bye." But, a paper had dropped out of her portfolio. I picked it up, only to be greeted by an amazing image of my own laughing self. I clutched it, staring behind her. Had she drawn this? She rushed into her home without uttering a single word to the figure outside, who began to come near me. As soon as I could see him, I could tell that he had to be her brother. He stuck his hand out to me and said, "Hi, I'm Charlie, Jaden's brother. You're Spencer, right?" I nodded. He glanced at the drawing. "Keep it," he said, and walked away.