It's been a while. I didn't expect to be this busy during the summer, but oh well. I know this is a short chapter, but this stupid thing called writer's block hit me and I was in this really bad mood where all I could think was dang my stories suck and someone is going to flame me really bad. No one has, so far at least. But like, I can do constructive criticism, but like don't just flat out tell me you hate me. Weird fear, but I can't help it. Sorry for how short it it. Um. Definitely a time skip for the next chapter. I'm thinking fifth and sixth grade, if you guys wanted to know. Please review, you guys seriously are the best when it comes to reviewing. Seriously, the best ever. Thank you.

It wasn't that Macey hated Cammie. She didn't hate her, really, she didn't. In fact, Macey had adapted quite well to the younger girl's presence, and she well. It wasn't that she enjoyed having her around during lunch, it was just that, she didn't mind it, not really.

And sure, Macey could come off as a bit rude, but she felt she had the right to. She didn't like sharing. Not at all. And then Cammie came into her life, into her group of friends like she belonged. To Macey, that really wasn't fair, because she shouldn't belong, because she was younger, and she wasn't like Macey or Bex, and she wasn't in second grade.

Macey really didn't like to share. She didn't want to share Bex, Grant, or Zach. Not with anyone else. She couldn't and wouldn't ever tell anyone that, and the reason was obvious enough. The more she showed she cared, the more they would stay away. She learned that from her parents. She learned lots of things from her parents, when they were around, that is.

But, as hard she tried to glare at her and pretend she didn't like the first grader's sparkly red shoes (like the ones from The Wizard of Oz) it was hard, especially when they shined extra bright during recess when the sun came out.

And although it took time, (a lot of time) Macey was starting to realize that Cammie wasn't going to take anyone away from her. And yeah. She was closer to Zach then Macey would ever be, but it was different. She would probably punch Zach if he treated her the way he treated Cammie. She was beginning to understand, to really understand that having Cammie in her circle of friend could be a good thing.

Besides, it would be a lie to say that Macey didn't think the younger girl was cute, or sweet, or fun, even. Because sometimes, on thursdays mostly, she would come to school with pigtails, or little braids that Macey wished she could have done on her own hair. But, she couldn't braid her own hair, and Macey's mom wasn't exactly around often. She had thought about asking Cammie to braid hers, but the thought of asking the younger girl for help was something that made her cheeks red, and her eyes widen in defense.

So she brushed her hair out extra shiny on thursdays so maybe Cammie would want to braid it, but she never asked. Maybe she should just ask.

/

It was lunch recess when Macey found Cammie hiding behind one of the big boulders near the end of the field. The little first grader was crouched behind it with a furrowed brow and a small frown. Macey didn't feel bothered by it. She didn't care why she was crouched by the boulder, and she really didn't want to know why. Except she did.

So she sighed, and walked over to Cammie, because she was curious, and it was thursday.

"What are you doing?"

Cammie looked up surprised, as it wasn't often that Macey approached her during recess. Or normal.

Cammie stood up a little bit from her crouch, almost the same height as the large rock. She dusted the dirt from her knees.

"Oh. Well, I'm playing hide and go seek with Zach?" She said it like a question.

Macey kind of felt dumb. Of course she was playing hide and go seek, she had been hiding behind a rock. Now she felt kind of awkward, because she had started a conversation that she felt obligated to finish.

"Oh, ah. Where's Zach?"

Cammie frowned again and the two looked around the playground until they found Zach's figure in line at the tetherball area.

"He's over there, I guess," Cammie mumbled, looking both troubled and embarrassed.

"I thought you said you were playing tether ball," Macey challenged. She couldn't help the attitude that seemed to seep into her tone. But she didn't like being lied to.

"Yeah, me too. Guess not," Cammie replied softly, and Macey didn't miss the flicker of uncertainty and hurt in Cammie's eyes.

"I've been hiding for like five minutes, I guess he forgot," Cammie sighed.

"That's rude." Macey was kind of surprised. Zach, who wouldn't stop bugging her about letting the little girl sit with them was ignoring her?

Cammie looked up surprised, because it almost sounded like Macey was on Cammie's side.

"No. It's okay." Cammie shook her head and glanced at Zach again. He was still in line.

Macey glared in Zach's direction. "No, it's not okay, if he was really your friend, he wouldn't be an idiot and leave you here without telling you."

Cammie's eyes widened. Macey had said the I word. She would get grounded if she ever said that. She felt something like admiration and awe wind its way into her gut, Macey was so much more brave than Cammie would ever be.

"No he isn't," Cammie denied quickly. Defending Zach was a second nature to her. She didn't want to get Macey mad at her, but she couldn't let her call Zach the I word.

Macey turned to face Cammie head on. She folded her arms across her chest and looked at Cammie through clouded eyes.

"Yes he is. Why aren't you mad at him? I would be mad at him."

Cammie blushed and looked down.

"I think he's mad at me," Cammie said quietly and Macey kind of felt bad for the younger girl.

"Why?" She was blunt, but she uncrossed her arms and tried to sound kind. It was weird and unfamiliar, but Cammie responded well to it, so Macey kept the kindness in her voice.

"Um, we had a play date yesterday, and we were playing power rangers," Macey wanted to roll her eyes, power rangers were stupid, "And I told Zach I had a crush on the red ranger, and he um. He got really mad, and he told me we couldn't play power rangers anymore. And when we watched Spongebob, he didn't sit on the couch with me."

Macey listened quietly and it all became clear to her.

"Hmmm."

Cammie looked up, "What?"

"Would you want to marry him?"

Cammie's eyes widened in surprise and she felt herself blushing.

"What! marry him? Zach"

Macey sighed, little kids were so immature.

"No," Macey rolled her eyes, "The red ranger, now answer the question."

Cammie crinkled her nose as she thought about the question.

"Um, no," She mused thoughtfully, "I don't think so. I mean, he has to save all those people around the world and I would get in the way. So, I think even though I have a crush on him," Cammie's voice got really quiet at the word crush and she blushed even harder, "I think it's better if he marries someone else. Like the pink ranger!" Cammie finished, proud of her reasoning.

"Well then, problem solved!" Macey announced, grinning. She was kind of proud of herself, she had just helped the little girl.

Cammie didn't get it. "What? How? Zach is still mad at me."

"It's easy. Zach probably thought you wanted to marry the red ranger and then he was mad because he thought you wouldn't want to play with him anymore if you were married. But, if you aren't going to marry him, then you have tell Zach that he has nothing to worry about."

"Oh, I get it." Now it made sense.

Cammie beamed at the older girl, she kind of wished she could be that smart when she was her age.

"Thanks Macey!" And Cammie kind of leant forward to give the older girl a hug, but she stopped when she saw the uncomfortable look in her eye.

"Uhm, yeah. Whatever, Zach should have known you aren't going to get married. Boys are kind of stupid," Macey explained with a sigh.

Zach wasn't stupid, Cammie knew that well enough, but she nodded anyways to appease the older girl.

"Yeah, so there's only like ten minutes of recess left."

"Yeah," Cammie agreed.

Macey shifted uncomfortably, not really sure what to do. This was the longest she had ever spent with the first grader. And she was embarrassed to admit that she kind of liked it, she wouldn't admit it. But, that didn't mean she was ready to leave Cammie alone.

"Do you wanna... like, braid my hair?" Macey asked nervously, and she kind of hated the way her voice sounded shy. Macey was a lot of things, but she was not shy.

Cammie's eyes lit up, she loved braiding hair.

"Yes! Yes! You have really pretty hair," Cammie shrieked giddily.

Macey let out something like a sigh of relief before she smiled back.

"Can I do a fishtail braid?" Cammie asked a couple minutes later as she stood on the boulder behind Macey, running her small hands through her dark hair.

"Mhm," Macey hummed in response.

And now she was smiling, even though Cammie couldn't see it.

So yeah, Macey didn't hate her.

Also, on a side note. Would you guys please read my one shots, one is sorta recent and not many people have reviewed, and just. Would you please look at it and give me some feedback? Please? It's called I joined Chess Club For You. Read it and you'll get the title. Please review, sorry I am so pushy, but like I really really appreciate all the feedback I get.

Thank you guys so much, and I hope you like the chapter. (Tell me what you think?)