Macrae Shima hung by his fingertips from the roof of the three-story brick school building, his legs dangling and kicking as they searched for a foothold. The late September sun was hot on his head and back, the breeze ruffling his light brown wavy hair, but he didn’t notice that right now. He was focused and thought, I just have to boost myself up to the edge.

As soon as school was out, he had made his way up to the third story, quietly peering in the small windows of each door. Some still had teachers in them and he saw one room with a parent and teacher speaking earnestly while some big kid sat looking out the window, her legs stretched out in front of her. He was annoyed that the unoccupied rooms had their doors locked and while his mama had taught him a little about picking locks, he knew he had neither the skill nor the time for that. The big room on the corner had its door open and at first glance seemed empty, he made a beeline for the window when he heard, “Can I help you, Mac?”

Mac had turned to see not only his music teacher, Ms. Denali, but his homeroom teacher, Mr. Castillo and most of the other teachers all sitting around a large table with the principal and vice-principal. His eyes went wide briefly, but he recovered and flashed a friendly grin, “Hi, Ms. Denali, umm, I, ahhh, came to find you to ask if I could practice in your room?” He pointed to the floor, indicating the music room that sat a floor below.

 Ms. Denali glanced over to the table of teachers and then back to Mac. “I don’t see why not. But just for a little while. It’s Friday and I’m heading home after this meeting. Go ahead; it’s open.”

Mac had nodded and murmured “Thanks!” as he scooted out of the room and headed for the stairs, taking them down two at a time and swinging on the railing at the landing. He pushed open the music room door and dragged a piano bench over to the window. Peering out he saw the big oak tree, its green leaves starting their shift to orange and red. A branch extended out that seemed like a perfect landing spot, though he’d have to shuffle aways along the side of the building a bit to reach it. He had opened the window and, satisfied the ledge was wide enough, inched along, his back to the bricks, careful not to look the seven meters down to the ground below.

He had jumped from the ledge to the oak tree easily, since the branch was sturdy, and as he stood up, he saw his friends, Andre and Tomas, a distance away to his right, giving him the thumbs up sign and looking impressed. He had said he would get Tomas’ ball back from the roof, and he was determined to do it.

He had made the leap to the roof after climbing up a couple more branches on the oak. But he hadn’t expected the red clay tiles to be so slippery and had slid down them, with a clatter, just catching himself by his fingers to keep from falling the ten plus meters. Sure, there was a low hedge, but Mac didn’t think that would make a difference if he tumbled down into it.

So here he hung. His hands were getting sweaty, and he could tell his grip was going to give out soon. He swang his legs out and then kicked them up hard. His right heel caught the cornice that ran along the edge of the roof, though he felt a piece of it break away and fall into the hedge with a crunch and a rustle. He was sweating as he half-lugged, half-rolled onto the roof. He paused for a moment to catch his breath. Then he pushed up on his elbows and saw his brother, Kik, off to his left. Kik stood grasping the top of his shoulder-length black hair tight in one hand, his dark, Edoan eyes wide and mouth open. Mac grinned and gave a wave, then chuckled a little to himself as he saw Kik sigh and put a hand over his face, in the exact way their papa did.

Then Mac turned and lizard-crawled up the steeper part of the roof to the flat area near the old chimneys. He peered between the second and the third ones and reached over to grasp his prize. He stood up and held it aloft for Tomas and Andre to see. Andre made a thumbs up and was laughing, but Tomas was frantically pointing toward the building. Mac looked down. Mr. Castillo stood not too far from the building, looking up at Mac with a stern expression. He pointed to the ground next to him.

“Crap.” Mac murmured to himself. “Not again.” He stuffed the ball into the pocket of his jacket and moved until he was right above the oak branch that he had used to boost him up. Looking around, he shrugged and sat down on the edge of the pitched portion of the roof. He pushed off, sliding down the tiles and shooting off the edge of the building. For a brief millisecond he was airborne and free-falling, until whump, he hit the branch and clambered down the tree before approaching Mr. Castillo.

Mr. C didn’t yell. That was not his style. Instead, he took two deep breaths and handed Mac a sealed note and said with a sigh, “Honestly, Mac, you could have broken your neck…tell your mother to sign this, bring it back on Monday, and have her make an appointment to talk with me next week. This is your third warning since the school year began and that’s just three weeks ago. Not an auspicious start.”

Mac wasn’t positive what auspicious meant, but Mr. C liked using big words and then tell his students, “Look it up.” when they asked what they meant. Mac didn’t have time for that, instead he grinned his sideways grin and kicked at the ground. “Yeah, I know Mr. C. But I had to get the ball back for Tomas. I promised, and you don’t want me to break a promise, right?”

His teacher gave him a dubious look. “Bring the note back on Monday, Mac, and try to avoid trouble through the weekend.”

“Yes, sir.” Mac said, glancing down to the ground in an attempt to look contrite, even though he could still feel the adrenaline pumping through him from the excitement and danger. That was fun! He waited until Mr. C was inside the school then he hustled to catch up with his friends. He tossed the ball in the air and caught it as it curved back down. “Told you I could get it.” Mac's smile covered his face.

Tomas and Andre both clapped him on the back. “That was so cool when you jumped from the tree to the roof.” Tomas said. 

“I was sure you were going to fall when you were hanging!” Andre laughed, “But you didn’t!”

The three boys shoved at each other, laughing and talking as they walked home until they reached Mac’s street.

Tomas announced, “You can hang on to the ball and bring it tonight for the sleepover!”

“Great!” Mac exclaimed. But as he pushed the ball back into his pocket, he heard the crunch of the note from Mr. C and he frowned. Once his mama read it, there might not be a sleepover.