School was far more boring now that your best friend had graduated - that was the only downside to your relationship. Before the summer of last year, he was the class clown, always getting in trouble & causing a ruckus (it was a shock he hadn't been sent to some boarding home for delinquents by now). He made life more enjoyable, more fun & exciting.

It was still so now, yes, but you didn't have anyone else to eat with at lunch anymore or to goof off in class with. Perhaps it was for the better, your grades were slipping anyways.

The school day was over & you now were heading back home, lost in daydreams. So lost that you didn't even hear those familiar footsteps rushing up behind you & locking you in a head noogie.

"Hey, short stack!"