“I assume guys around here are not,â€? He says breaking the silence.

“Not at all, actually,â€? I say and almost tell him that I have never heard what he had just said, but I decided against it. I figure that would be mean.

“Well, I guess I will have to learn the American way if I am to fit in.â€?

I nod in agreement. We walk in silence for some time. I start to get bored.

“So, um do you have any really good friends back at home?â€? I ask, trying to get ride of the boringness.

“Well, I had a few, but no one really close. How about you?â€?

“Just Claire, you will see her soon enough tomorrow.â€?

We turn the corner to a playground. I see a bench and lead him to it. We both sit down.

“Well, Hazel you are a beautiful young lady,â€? He says in a nice voice.

“Thank you and you are a…â€? I trail off, trying to find some complement to say. He turns to look at me

“You are a nice polite young man,â€? I say, finally finding the right woods. I look up at him.