A hand shot up and waved about three rows back, and James saw it belonged to a boy about 13 or 14, with a wild mass of red hair, freckles, and big, crooked teeth. The kid was pretty homely and had a slightly vacant look of someone who wasn't very smart, but had a bright smile. "You can sit over here!" James grinned and plopped down next to the boy. "Hello! I'm James. My car broke down."
"That's OK. You don't need no car any more. We gets to ride the bus!" James didn't correct the boy. He probably meant that HE rode the bus. "So, what grade are you in?" The boy thought about the question. "I guess I'm sorta like the fourth grade? I go to a special class 'cause I don't think so good." That put the boy several years behind those of his normal age group. But he didn't seem bothered. "Oh, my name is Randy!" He stuck out his hand, which James shook. "Nice to meet you..." James blinked and shook his head. He felt odd. And when he opened his eyes again...