She was acting rather peculiar today.

He stared at her more intently as if doing so would suddenly emancipate an epiphany, which would then solve the question that has been stuck in his head since recess when she didn’t go about her daily routine of gossiping (she always had to know what was going on.) and didn’t buy her usual snacks (which consisted of candy, a donut and Coke)—what is wrong with her? And of course, there was that other question that was a little more faint, but he could still hear it. Is she on her period?

He doesn’t know exactly when those periods start, or frankly, what they were, but every time his sisters were on them (as they would tell him, whilst blushing and stuttering) they would act just like she is acting now. It was probable, but then, there had to be a certain age when these periods start, right? And his sisters only started recently, just about four months ago—and they were no where near their age! She was only nine, and his sisters were fifteen! So does this mean she isn’t on her period?

She moved to the swings—maybe that would cheer her up—and started swing her legs back and fourth, bringing momentum to the swing. She began to feel the thrill of being up in the air, swinging back and fourth, feeling as if she were free, free of this pain. But it was still there. She swung harder, trying to forget the pain.

She caught sight of a figure standing in front of her, and instinctively, she lowered her feet, causing her slow her down, and eventually, stop. He was standing close to her, and if he stepped closer while she was swinging, she would have hit him—that is if she were to go high enough.

“Nelson.” She said, looking up at the young boy in front of her. “Shouldn’t you be up your tree?”

He was up his tree (the big oak in the playground) earlier. Usually he would not venture down from The Oak (as they would call it—most of the time), he would eat there, watch people there—a hobby, which she though was rather queer— and wouldn’t come down until the bell, rang.

“Are you implying that I’m a monkey, Mae?” He asked jokingly, alas his words were not met by a smile, which they would usually be met by, but instead there was the same frown on her lips, never moving. In all honesty, it was starting to creep him out.

And to think she was the only one their age who could understand what he was saying. Without her who could understand him? The Adults, sure, but he didn’t want to talk to them—all they blabbered about was how he’s going to be a rich and powerful man when he grows up at the rate that he’s going. He doesn’t really need anymore predictions about that. (it was all the same, anyway.)

“So am I to assume that there’s something wrong?” He questioned, sitting down on the swing next to her and gently swung himself—just a little bit.

She bowed her head in reply.

“You haven’t eaten yet.” He observed, and to this, her frown deepened.

He stood from the swing and moved to stand in front of her. It was certain now, that there is something wrong, he watched her enough to know.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” He said, but realizing it sounded demanding, he quickly added; “I might be able to help.” He then smiled at her. It wasn’t those fake smiles he would use to get the adults off his back, it was genuine, because he really did want to help.

She stared at him, as if looking for sincerity in his eyes, and slowly her lips parted and gave way to her words. “I have a toothache.” She looked down on her shoes, as if they were the most interesting things on earth—save for platypuses, of course. “And it really hurts.”

He raised an eyebrow up at her—she always thought that that was one of his defining characteristics, The Raised Eyebrow. He understood her now. He had once gone through the pain of a toothache, and he knew how dreadful it can be. Having a very large sweet tooth himself, he often had toothaches. Not now, though. He brushes his teeth a lot now.

“Why don’t you go to the clinic?” He suggested, recalling that it’s Wednesday, the only day of the week when the school dentist is available. “I think it’s closed now for lunch, but you can wait outside on the bench till they’re done.” He knew she could—he’s done it before.

She looked up at him, and smiled, albeit a little forced. She had completely forgotten about the clinic! “Thanks, Nelson.” She said, and began walking towards the school building.

He watched her form disappear into the school. He was glad he could help, but now, he had nobody to talk to.

Deciding he should not mope around about his lonely existence, he headed to the canteen. Other than the library it was the only place in the school where he could find peace. He always did love food. And eating them, of course.

A rather plump kid—probably just a year older than him—passed by. His clothes seemed to be rather tight against his body, and his stomach looked as that of a pregnant woman—only it jiggled more.

He silently thanked his fast metabolism.

He headed to the counter, where there seemed to be no line. He glanced down at his watch and saw that it was only a few more minutes until the bell rang. He hurried his pace and was soon against the edge of the counter.

“Hey there, Nelly.” Greeted a woman in her midyears. Nelson had become rather familiar to her due to how he talked, and of course, what he always bought—the white blond hair and the grey eyes helped, of course.

“Good afternoon, Marge.” He answered back smiling. This was another reason why he likes the canteen. Margery reminded him of his grandmother. And her cooking reminded him of his grandmother’s cooking as well. He loves his grandmother’s cooking. Especially her fried chicken.

“The usual?” Asked Marge, a small smile tugging at the edge of her lips.

She got a smile in reply and the sound of coins hitting the counter top. With that, she gave him the lollipops he always bought.

Just as he walked away, the bell rang, signaling that he only had five minutes to get to class. He started walking towards the general direction of his classroom. He was a bit miffed that he hadn’t gotten the chance eat one of the lollipops he’s bought.

He looked down at them in his hands. He wanted them so bad.

An idea suddenly struck him.

It was brilliant. It would enable him to eat his lollipops, save him from the nasal voice of his history teacher and it would give him someone to talk to. Unfortunately, it would require breaking some rules.

He thought about it. Was it really a good idea? It could potentially get him in detention where he would be forced to write something akin to I will not cut classes to eat lollipops over and over again.

Frankly, he didn’t care.

--

She’s been sitting there for a while now, and the tardy bell just rang. The hallways have been completely abandoned, and only little pieces of paper that littered the hallway lay as proof of the existence of the other kids that once roamed there.

She could hear the ticking of the clock that hung above her head, and the distant mumble of one of the teachers. And there was this light moaning that was coming from the clinic—it was somebody in pain like her, probably. Further down the hall she could her the muffled noise the upperclassmen never cease to make. And to be quite honest, they reminded her of monkeys—what with the way they acted so primitively.

She hopped she would never become like them.

“I don’t want to be a monkey.” She thought aloud to herself.

“Neither do I, but I can understand why they like going up trees so much.”

She looked to where the voice came from.

It was Nelson. He was there. And he’s…

Oh my gosh! He’s cutting class! She wondered if he even knew he was cutting class. He certainly did not look like a kid who would cut classes. “Why are you here?” She asked rather bluntly.

“What? You’re not glad to see me?” He pretended to be upset by this revelation “And here I was worrying about your wellbeing!” He slumped next to her on the waiting bench.

“You were worrying about me?” she asked him, her cheeks turning a little pink.

In all truth and honesty, he just wanted to eat his lollipop—and someone to talk to. But she didn’t need to know that.

“Well, of course!” He stated dramatically. He placed a hand on his chest to add more effect. “What kind of close-acquaintance would I be if I didn’t?” He then flashed her a cheeky grin.

Her blush deepened as she hit him lightly on the shoulder. “Oh, shut up!”

They both laughed then. He was glad he could maker her laugh. She looks prettier when she laughs.

This reminded him of earlier that day, when he had seen her in such a foul mood. It was so uncharacteristic of her! She was usually laughing when he watched her—not that he stalks her or anything. All of that because of a toothache.

He looked back at her. She looked happy now. Did he cause her to forget her toothache? He smiled to himself thinking of this. He could make her better!

All of a sudden, she stopped laughing. A low groan emitted from her. “My tooth’s hurting again!” She cried.

So he didn’t make her better.

Disappointed, he looked down at his hands where he still held his lollipops. He smirked as another idea came to him

“I know what will make it better!” He stood up from his seat and stood in front of her, feet apart, excitedly anticipating her reply.

“What?” she looked up at his eyes that seemed to twinkle then, and hopped that he had a solution that would end her pain.

“This!” He thrust a hand in front of her face “It always makes me feel better!”

Looking at it from such close proximities made her cross-eyed so she leaned back to see what it was that he was giving her.

This time, it was her turn to raise an eyebrow. Everything seemed to still then—even the incessant moans from the clinic stopped. There on his hand laid a lollipop. Strawberry flavored. It wasn’t that she didn’t like candy or anything—eating too much of it was the reason of her pain. So how could it help?

She looked up at Nelson and saw that mischievous glint in his eyes—she must have missed it earlier!

She puffed-up her cheeks and crossed her arms over her chest while glaring at him, attempting to look angry. But alas, he only laughed.

She gave up her attempt at anger and laughed with him. It was rather humorous.

“Gee, thanks.” She managed to breathe out while they continued to laugh. She took the lollipop from him and placed in securely in her pocket.

“It’s my pleasure.” he answered back, still chuckling.

At that moment, when they finally quieted down, the clinic door burst open and out came a rather rumpled-up Ms. Robinson—The principal’s secretary. Her make-up was a little smudged and her hair looked as if a tornado had tried to take up residence in it. Her hands moved up and down her skirt, trying to smooth out the wrinkles. Nelson and Mae could see that the back was caught in her underwear.

They both sniggered at the sight of Ms. Robinson. What could she have been doing in there to come out looking like that?

The Dentist interrupted their subtle sniggering. He had lipstick smudged all over his mouth and at his collar, and the top of his shirt was unbuttoned enough for them to see a good amount of his chest. There was a rather big bulge at the crouch of his pants and his fly was open. This just erupted more sniggering from the two children.

The Dentist sighed and rolled his eyes. “What may I do for you?” he asked them.

This only resulted in more laughing.

Poor Mr. Dentist.