"Hey," came a shy voice, when she opened the front door.

"Oh, uh, hi," answered Spinelli, shocked to see the boy standing in front of her, "What're you doing here?"

"I wanted to say thank you," Johnny V. said, smiling and revealing his the spot where his tooth was missing from.

That's what different about him, Spinelli thought to herself, no more lisp.

"Hey, no problem," the girl said, "Creamin' you was my pleasure. But you already thanked me, remember? Back on the playground."

"I know. I sorta wanted to say something else too," he explained, hesitating.

"Spit it out Johnny, what gives?" Spinelli pressed, her crush doing nothing to effect her brash manner.

"I don't think it's bad that you're a boy liker," he started, flinching as she balled her fists and made like she was about to lunge at him, "What I mean is, I'm sort of a, you know, a girl liker, and well, I think you're one of the more likable girls."

"Uh, well, thanks, I guess," the girl looked one part shocked and one part grossed out.

"This whomps," he said suddenly, "I think you're a cool girl, and you, for whatever reason, seem to like me, so there's that. But there's nothing we can do about it, because the kids at school would never let us live it down."

"Whoa," Spinelli said, in appreciation, "Fifth graders are smart. This does whomp."