When we met

A nine-year-old Ethan, dirty and tired, followed behind his newly minted friend. Charlie was perhaps the rowdiest kid he'd ever played with, and he had to push himself to keep up. He'd also made the near-fatal mistake of calling Charlie a 'he', and received a very swift headbutt to serve as a correction.

What kind of name was Charlie for a girl?

Still, he liked her. Exactly why he did was not completely clear to him, but he did. He'd seen her around before, back when he thought she was a he, but never played with her. Up until recently, Ethan had been shy around the Green Valley kids, but some gentle coaching from his grandpa had changed all that. But now Ethan had a different fear: coming home dirty.

When he did so at home, his mother would always give him an earful. While he didn't know how his grandparents would react, he didn't want to risk it. Charlie, proving to be a vital ally already, had made Ethan a very tempting offer.

"Just hose off at my place."

And so they trekked to Charlie's house and hose. On arrival, Charlie led him around back, taking him to the glorious green prize. Turning it on, Charlie hands Ethan the end of it, the nozzle a very impressive-looking addition.

"Here," she brushes her hands on her very dirty shorts, a gesture that does literally nothing. "I'll be back."

"You're not gonna clean up?" Ethan asks, eying the very dirty tomboy.

"I'm gonna do it inside, duh." She frowns. "That's what a tub's for."

Ethan looks down at the hose. "But you'll make the house dirty..."

"I track in dirt all the time," Charlie shrugs. "My parents don't care."

Ethan's shoulders slump. 'Must be nice' he thinks.

"I'll be quick. Don't leave till I'm back, kay?"

"Kay..."

Ethan watches Charlie dash to the backdoor, disappearing into the house. Looking down at the hose again Ethan lets out a resigned sigh. He'd better get spraying.