his mother probably let him get away with murder . i pushed them open and rushed outside , running smack into a dark-haired boy . swallowing my last piece of pancake , i peek up at him . always one step ahead , that guy . `` besides , if she ca n't find a matching one , this whole argument is wasted . it depends on how you feel . `` tell me more about your job . '' she 's my age and a little over a year from graduating-she started on time , lucky thing ... 