Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Aven visits the nearly empty school library during her next lunch period. She notices a boy watching her and hears strange sounds: the boy is barking at her. Aven tries to ignore him, but finally approaches and politely confronts him. The boy embarrassedly admits he was barking because he has Tourette syndrome. He explains that the disorder causes him to make involuntary sounds and movements called tics. He asks about her arms. Aven appreciates his direct and honest conversation. She tells him she lost her arms in a trapeze accident, which makes him laugh. He introduces himself as Connor. Connor has only been at the school for a year, since he and his mom moved away from his old school, where he used to have friends. At the new school, kids still make fun of him or ignore him. Aven relates to his experience, noting that people either do not talk to her like a real person or try to ignore her. She is glad to have met Connor and feels she is making a friend.