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Colin Crow rode into school.  The weather was still nice, and the morning wasn't too chilly.  He rolled into the parking lot and found a parking spot.  During the Usual Suspect's Sophmore year Sarah's dad suffered a mid-life crisis.  That resulted in him buying a motorcycle.  The Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster had a custom all flat black finish, custom rims, and got fifty miles to the gallon of gas.  The five gallon tank meant you didn't have to stop for gas all the time either.  His mid-life crisis lasted two weeks, and he laid the bike down trying not to get hit by a car.  Sarah's mom ordered the bike be gotten rid of.  Sarah's dad gave it to Colin, and Colin spent most of Sophmore year saving money to buy parts to fix it.  Once he got his license it became his main source of transportation when the weather permitted.

"Colin?"  The voice was female, and it drew his attention as he stepped off the motorcycle and began to take his sunglasses off.  "I knew I'd seen you taller and with a tattoo."

"God and Great Spirit.  Katie!"  Colin stepped closer to the girl and embraced her.  "It's so good to see you."

Katie Stone had been helped by the Usual Suspects during their Freshman year.  That year had been trying, crazy, and helped to forge them into the people they were.  "It's good to see you too Colin."  She steps back from his embrace.  She had gone from being a scared ten year old to a happy fourteen year old.

"Foster home, in Oak Park I'm guessing?"  Colin said, taking note of her book bag and the simple fact she was here.

"You're not guessing, are you?"  She was clever, and among other things had a strange way with luck and fate. 

Colin smiled and shook his head, "No, I guess I'm not."  Colin had started to really understand the universe in ways most people never dreamed of.  Coincidence to some was just the order of events to him.  "I hope your Freshman year is a good one."

Katie smiles and leans in, kissing Colin on the cheek.  "I'm sure it will be."  Then she turns to head to class.

*****

When Dave graduated and headed off to college he gave the current VanGo to Rob.  Rob had served as the group's Man Friday ever since.  He rolled into the parking lot and found a space.  Sarah climbed out of the passenger side and a few of the loyal minions poured out the cargo door.  "You riding home with Colin?"  Rob asks.

"Yeah, and thanks again Rob."  Sarah says taking the large folding display from the back of the van.

"No problem.  So what is this thing again?"  He says helping her pull it free and carry it towards the main building.

"It's just sort of a 'Come work for the Husky News' thing.  This is our last year, we need to recruit some new people to take over and it wouldn't fit in Sly's car."

Rob laughs.  "This is true."

*****

Slyvia drove into school, and found a parking spot near the main doors.  Her moms had made sure that when she got a car it was safe and environmentally conscience.  It was a two seater, because there was a long talk about not needing a back seat, which forced Sylvia to roll her eyes.  She was tempted to make the world think she drove one of those sexy muscle cars, but alas she actually loved her little car.  She saw Katie Stone leaving Colin a kiss as she walked up.  "Was that Katie?  Creepy cute little Katie?"

Colin nodded.  "She got into a foster home in Oak Park.  She's happy.  And now she's here, just like we all were not so long ago."

"That was a couple of lifetimes ago for some of us."  Sylvia pushed Colin's shoulder some to emphasize her point.  He looked over his shoulder at her and smiled.

As they walked through the main doors Colin reached up and touched the top of the doorway with his hand, his arm not fully extended.  "Katie was right, I am taller."  he said casually.

"That is not magic."  Sylvia said simply, "That's just biology."

Colin smiled, "The growing maybe, but the fact that she saw me taller and with a tattoo years ago.  That's magic."

"Point taken."  Sylvia conceded.

*****

Sammy got out of Heather's car and the pair headed for the main doors.  "So you have enough saved?"  Heather asked.

"Yep."  Sammy said nodding.  "With a little help from my folks and some careful spending I will be able to afford to live and eat while I'm there."

"I am so jealous.  Two whole semesters in Europe.  I wish I could go."  Heather said, clinging to Sammy's arm.  "Pack me in your luggage, pleaaaaase?"

Both girls laugh and walk through the main doors, Sammy watching Colin reach up to touch the top of the door frame.  "Keep that up stretch and you'll have to duck to go through doors."

Colin and Sylvia both turn at the sound of Sammy's voice.  Colin surprises her with a hug, although a second later she realizes she should have expected it.  She's no sooner out of Colin's clutches than Sylvia has her arms around her.  "How was it?  A whole Summer in New York City?"  Sylvia asks.

"Good, I had a great time and I really learned a lot."  Sammy says, remembering the time her and Nick spent together while she attended a summer program at Julliard.  "And Nick says Hi."

The five minute warning bell rings and the kids split up to head to their homerooms.

*****

Sammy was rounding the corner when Sarah appeared there, literally.  "Sammy!"  she screamed and hugged the other girl.  "Ommygodwhendidyougetbackhowwasnewyork."

Sammy smiled, "It was hot and sticky and the best time ever.  How was Oak Park?"

"It was ok.  Colin spent most of the summer in Arizona.  I popped out once to visit over the Fourth of July.  I was slamming the hours though so I could relax and not have to work this year."

Sammy looks around.  "Have you told Colin about your....that you'll be leaving after next summer?"

Sarah looks instantly guilty, "Noooooo."  she says, and the pair turn to go down the hall.  "I tried over the summer, but it just never really seemed the right time.  And now we're going to be seeing each other all the time again and I'm such a coward when he's right there."

"I know that feeling."  Sammy says as they both walk into the same home room.

*****

Colin is about to round the corner and stops.  He holds out his arm to stop the person next to him from walking past.  She gives him an annoyed look, then suddenly a boy goes flying past, and Colin drops his arm, rounding the corner.  "Donnie."  Colin's tone is level.

"Colin."  The other boy answers, his gaze narrowed to the boy on the floor who is staring back with a hateful glare. 

Colin walks over and puts a hand on Donnie's shoulder, and his vision of the world shifts for a second.  at least it only seems like a second to everyone else.  "Let this go."

The other boy gets up, clenched fists, "We're gonna finish this someday motherfucker."  he exclaims.

"Someday."  Colin says, and the tone of his voice catches Donnie's attention, his head turning to look at his friend.  Donnie nods and turns away, helping a Freshman pick up his books from the floor.  Colin can't help but notice the younger boy is a little overweight, and has glasses.  and in the brief flash of his ghost site Colin also sees that Donnie wont be fighting his battles for him before long.

"Thanks."  The younger boy says, then makes his way to his class.

"So, how was your summer?"  Colin asks as he and Donnie head towards their homeroom.

Donnie's lips curl in a smile.  "Fantastic.  Oh man, I didn't want to come back  There was so much to see.  Dylan and I went all over.  I wish you could have seen it."

"Nah, that's your world of splendor.  I'll just read about it in your books."  both boys walk into the classroom just before the final bell rings.

Just another year at Oak Park High School for the Class of 2011.