This is a rough draft. It has undergone little editing and no re-writes. Enjoy as this story comes together. 

If you had walked down Fyler Drive, well, first you passed Cranky Ed who probably yelled at your shoes. Past him, however, was Odi with his forehead pressed firmly against his family’s front door.

You should have said something, he thought. You should have… made small talk or… offered your phone number. Something. You may never see her again.

He thumped his head against the door.

No. She was running nearby and wearing a Huber jersey. It’s more likely she’ll just never acknowledge my existence.

The front door suddenly opened and Odi tumbled through the entryway and landed flat on his face. A pair of small bare feet shuffled away in surprise.

“ODI!? What the hell?!”

“Language, Nanu,” Odi said.

Nanu was short and round for her age. The inevitable growth spurt had not hit her yet. Her bushy hair was tied back, and she was wearing a large hoodie that hung halfway to her knees. Ever since she became a teenager she had been experimenting with vocabulary. Some days it was something like “peregrine” or “clinquant.” Other days…

“What kind of git leans against the door?” Nanu said.

Odi rolled to his feet.

“I was lost in thought. Probably shouldn’t have knocked,” Odi said.

“Yeah. Probably. Come on. Dinner is in a few,” Nanu said.

Odi and Nanu didn’t have far to walk. The house had one floor and no basement. It technically had only one bedroom, but a chunk of the sitting room had been sectioned off with curtains for Odi to sleep. Nanu shared the proper room with her mother. Most of the walls were adorned with art from their younger years. A handful of mementos from their home in Johannesburg could be found if one looked hard enough.

The kitchen had one small round table with three chairs scattered around it. Three more chairs were stacked in the corner incase visitors or Odi's two oldest siblings stopped by for a meal. 

His mother and her two eldest had immigrated two decades ago when they were seven and eight. Odi and Nanu were born in the States. 

The three were seated, and the sounds of eating and laughter swirled together.

“So, tell me, Odion. How was your first day back?” Mother asked after a while. Her accent was just as heavy as it had been the day she moved. Her eldest retained it slightly as well but Odi and Nanu were entirely Americanized.

“It was good,” Odi said. “Pod says hey. Mr. Ujzadowski does as well.”

“What about the red-head? I like that girl, Odion.”

“Sara’s a friend, mom. I’m sure she looks forward to seeing you again.”

His mother sighed like she was the President during a meeting.

“I should like to see you with a girl someday,” She said. The image of the green-eyed girl suddenly rushed back to Odi’s mind. The excitement of dinner had nearly driven her out.

“What about you, Nanu? Any fine young men attempting your courtship?” Mother asked.

“Ugh. Too many and they’re all morons,” Nanu said, as she stabbed her food with her knife.

“Some bright young man will peak your elite interest, I’m sure.”

Though all this Odi’s mind was racing. She’s a runner. She’s a wealthy runner… She will probably get into any school she wants. Even if we meet, it wouldn’t last long because we’d be separated by school. Unless…

“Mom!” Odi said suddenly. Nanu and his mother stared.

“I’m applying for a scholarship.”