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I don’t even think, I move forward and wrap my arms around his torso. He stiffens at first, then tries to pry me off. I hold on tightly as Hunter asks in a strained voice, “What are you doing, Lala?” It’s the nickname he uses for me when he is scared or worried. I don’t want Hunter to be scared though.
I look up into the boy's eyes and smile. He freezes, his eyes now pinned on me.
“I’m giving him a hug, silly. Can't you see, Hunter?”
“But…but, why?” Jace asks from my left.
I don’t look away from the boy, feeling him relax a little under my arms. He never takes his eyes from me as I nod. I want him to know it’s okay. I’ll take care of him. I won’t let any mean people hurt him.
“Sometimes, people need a hug, and I like giving hugs.”
“But…but he hurt me, Lala.” Hunter sniffles.
“I know, but I think he’s okay now. He just needed a hug, is all.”
I slowly let go of the boy, and he stands there watching Hunter and Jace behind me. When his eyes hit mine, I can see I made the right play.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
“Roman,” he grumbles, kicking dirt with his shoe. It has a hole in the top with his toe peeking out.
“Do you have any friends, Roman?” I ask him.
He blinks a few times before he shakes his head just a little.
“Oh, well, you're in luck. We’ve been looking for a new friend. Want to be ours?”
I hear Jace make a strangled sound as I smile at this sad boy who needs hugs and friends, nodding at him to say yes.
“No,” he says as he storms away.
“Why would you want him to be our friend, Mila? He was mean, he hurt Hunter’s arm.”
I turn to Hunter and see he’s holding his wrist.
“Because he needs one. And we are the three best friends ever. We are perfect friends for him.” I hug Hunter and walk him to the nurse.
Every day that week, Roman sought us out. He would push Hunter down. Would shove Jace every chance he got and stood there as I hugged him.
The next week, he did the same, but this time I told him I wouldn't hug him anymore if he was mean to my friends. “I don’t hug mean people, Roman. I only hug the nice ones.”
For three days, Roman avoids us. I watch him out of the corner of my eye, hoping he will come over and be friends with us. He watches me too. No matter where I am, he’s there. In the halls or after school at the gate. But I don’t say anything to him. I know I can’t. It’s part of the play. He has to come to us.
On the fourth day, he walks up to me. Hunter and Jace freeze as Roman stands an inch from me and looks down into my eyes.
“Can I be your friend?” he mumbles.
My whole face smiles as I giggle. “You always were my friend, Roman. Can I be yours too?” I wrap my arms around him in a hug.
He hugs me back.
