Opposites
    
Hayley August looked out the window, daydreaming. She was glad that she was next to it again this year, but also wistful, because one empty desk separated her from the window. The desk had never been occupied, and Hayley wondered why. She had sat next to it for the past two years at her school, Tabby Elementary.
    
Tabby was close enough to the ocean that Hayley could see the water. But today, that wasn’t all she saw outside. She also saw a girl with red hair. Hayley guessed she was somebody’s sibling. But when the girl walked into her classroom, Hayley became curious about her. She also wondered where her best friend, Abby, was. But then the bell rang, and her attention snapped back to Mr. Robbs.
    
“Class, I have some exciting news!” Mr. Robbs announced. Usually when Mr. Robbs had “exciting news,” it was that they were about to start a new unit. But Mr. Robbs pointed to Mystery Girl. “This is Erin Baxter. Erin will be spending the year here. Her family swapped houses with Abby’s. Hayley, you’ll be Erin’s partner. She’ll sit next to you.”
    
Erin smiled shyly and sat down at that empty desk next to the window. Hayley didn’t return the smile. The girl had replaced her best friend!
    
That afternoon, Erin went to Hayley’s house to do a project for Mr. Robbs. It was mostly one big staring contest. Erin made a few attempts at conversation, but Hayley figured that since they had nothing in common, what was the point? Hayley was outgoing; Erin was shy. Hayley liked sports; Erin preferred poetry.
    
After Erin left, Hayley sighed and flopped on her bed. Now that she had no friends within a hundred miles, what would she do? She thought about the empty desk by the window, Erin’s red hair and shy smile. Only a minute ago, she had closed the door on that. Now, Hayley threw it open and ran.
    
“I’m sorry, Erin!” she yelled. Erin spun around, looking startled, then delighted.
    
“It’s okay!”

This was the start of a friendship of two opposites.