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I met Cyrus about a month back. Track season was just starting and when we practiced he would sit in the stands and watch.

Sometimes I saw him reading but he always had his headphones in.

It wasn't uncommon for kids to sit and watch practice. Most of them were paying more attention to each other than to us.

I only noticed Cyrus more than the others because I never saw him in class.

He was clearly our age and it wasn't a big school so I wasn't suspicious. It was just curious to me.

One day when practice was over I happened to be walking the same direction he was on my way home.

We caught each other's clents and started a conversation.

Or rather, I did.

Hey man, I'm John. I see what the track will be all the time but I guess we've never had a class together.

Oh, I don't go here. I'm Cyrus. I'm home schooled but I get bored so my parents let me hang out at the track after school.

So far nobody has said anything so I didn't think it was a problem.

I don't think it's a problem. Just wanted to say what's up. See if you maybe wanted to join the team.

Um, thanks. I just like hanging out really. That's all good. You will down Kirkland to get home because then we can walk together for a while.

Sure.

Our first conversation mostly continued like that. I was talking and he was responding with his little effort as possible.

The next day however, he was waiting for me so we could talk.

That continued for as long as track season continued.

We talked about all kinds of stuff. We told each other about our families. We talked about hockey and soccer.

...