Odokin(1)

He was not one of the boys working, he was leaned up against the Department of Mongola Shipping building with a group of other boys. He was really tall. For me. And with dark hair, dark eyes and a small smiling mouth. He was from Opo. I was sure of it. The only Odokins in Mongola with dark hair were me, Cara, and her brothers. Cara’s family came from an old rich group of Opos that emigrated to Odokin long ago. They married within their nationality keeping the common features pure. I, however, had my Opo mother and Odokin father (whom my mother left when I was young) which mixed my features, giving me a wider mouth, blue eyes, and my lack of inches.

“Pavola! Who are you looking at? Don’t tell me it’s Yopale’s brother!” Gene cried urgently seeing she’d lost me to thought.

“It’s not,” I said vaguely. “It’s a new boy. Opo.”

“From Opo?” she said in surprise.

“Looks like it!” I came out of my daze and jumped up. I had decided I was going to talk to this boy.

“No your not!” Gene retorted knowing exactly what my plans were.

“And why?” I asked already having taken a step. Gene unwillingly stepped towards me to pull me back, and I stepped forwards again.

“Oh Pavola, why do you have to be so fearless?”

“What is there to be afraid of?” We were almost within earshot and – he looked at me! His face looked confused, and he whispered to his friends, while keeping his eyes on me. As they responded, he smiled as if satisfied. Gene had now let go of my wrist now that we were right up to the boys.

“Hello,” I said clearly into his face. It was him! The boy who I had seen that day….’falling’ into the boys classroom. He’d made me late!

“Good morning,” he replied raising his eyebrows. He had an accent. Opo for sure.