Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future.

June 5, 1893
8:40 AM PST

Verne Calvin Brown felt so nervous, as he was helping his mother dry the dishes. This was his very first day of attending school - and his mother, Clara Clayton Brown, was the teacher. However, it really was not the fact that his mother was the teacher that concerned him. It was the fact that his brother, Jules Clint Brown, also attended.

He knew that Jules was simply well-liked by the other pupils - and that his brother was actually at the top of his class. It was not because Jules' mother was the teacher, but because Jules was a genuinely intelligent pupil - and that was what concerned Verne.

"Golly, this is just like deja vu!" Clara explained, laughing. "Verne, you have nothing to be concerned about. After all, your brother is rather well-liked - and you know how his friends have come to like you. So, as such, it's really not like you won't know anyone."

"Anyway, this is also Sarah and Linda's first day of attending school," added Emmett, smiling. "You won't be able to just sit with them, of course - but Abraham has offered to sit with you. I know just how close you and your brother are to him. It won't be as bad as... Also, Charlie Needles and his crowd do not attend school in the summer."

Verne swallowed, as he simply knew how frightening Charlie could be. A couple years ago, Jules had managed to stand up to the bully - and, since then, Charlie sure knew better than to harass Jules or his friends. Still, would Verne be safe from Charlie?

Besides, he wasn't even thinking about the bullies. While it was true that Jules' friends have always quite treated Verne in a decent manner - he really could not help but feel as if they were more Jules' friends, then they were his own. That quite troubled him.

Even with Abraham Lathrop, who was halfway between the ages of Jules and Verne, he simply could not help but feel as if Abe was closer to Jules. While he quite felt as if Sarah Lathrop and Linda McFly were just a mite closer to him, there was the fact that both of them were girls. How would the other boys take to him being friendly to girls?

"I guess I wasn't really so worried about that," replied Verne, softly. "I was just afraid that... Well, I sure was worried that I wouldn't be able to... to live up to Jules. I know that he's a smartest pupil in his peer group, and that he's smarter than... even Willie."

"Oh, Verne!" gasped Clara, as she drew her younger son into a hug. "Your father and I sure recognize that you and Jules are simply different people, with different talents. You needn't worry about... We would never actually expect for you to be like Jules."

"Do you simply mean that, Mom?" Verne asked, with uncertainly. His mother patted his back, which made him feel a little better. "What if the other kids quite decide that they don't like me? What if they think that I'm very worthless, and they call me a 'dummy'? I just don't think I could take that kind of a rejection, Mom. I don't think I can handle..."

"Now, Verne," chided Clara, gently, "I think you do worry too much. Everything will be just fine, and I do not think anyone is going to be mean to you. Anyway, let me throw out the dish water - and then we can head to the schoolhouse. You needn't worry."

Verne nodded, as he wished to believe his mother. He then went to grab his books, as he quite realized that he was about to take the next step in his life. The very prospect of starting school made him feel as if he was becoming a big boy, which felt exciting.

"All right, sonny!" called out Clara, as she hung up the dish pan. "It is now time to get going. Jules is already there, and... I'm certain that the other pupils are really looking forward to meeting you. I quite do not tolerate nastiness in our school - so, if anyone does pick on you, they will have to answer to me. Now, let's just see that big smile!"

Verne smiled, as he and his mother stepped outside the cabin. Perhaps, school would not be as bad as he feared. He realized how fortunate he really was to have parents who did not expect him to be just like his older brother. For that, he felt so grateful.

"Hey, Verne!" called out a familiar girl's voice. As Verne simply turned around, he saw that Sarah Lathrop was calling for him. Linda McFly was standing right beside you. "It is so nice to see you. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling quite nervous about..."

"I understand what you mean," Linda replied, nodding. "some of the bigger kids are a little intimidating, and I... At least, we already know Mrs. Brown - and Willie says that she is a very nice teacher." Turning to Verne, she added, "So, how do you feel about having your mother teach? I sure do love Mommy, but I can't quite imagine that I..."

"Did I hear you you three say that you're new?" asked a boy who seemed to be about Verne's age. "My name's Teddy DuPre, and this..." He gestured towards another boy, as he continued, "This is my neighbour, Bruce Holmes. He is also just starting, today."

"That is right," Bruce replied, nodding. "Our family moved here, from Las Vegas - and my parents are old friends of the DuPres. Dad rather did want for us to live in a small town, and... Well, when they heard from the DuPres... That how just we got here."

"It's so nice to meet you, Teddy and Bruce," Verne replied, softly. "Although, Teddy, I think I have seen you around. To be honest, I sure was nervous about starting school - but... Well, it's good to know that I'm really not alone." As Verne turned his head, he noticed a boy about his age sitting on the school steps - and he looked sad. "Look!"

"My goodness!" gasped Teddy, as he turned to where Verne was pointed. "I can see we have another newcomer. Well, my parents have always quite taught me to reach out to other people. I do reckon that we head over there, and say 'howdy' to him."

"I agree," Linda replied, smiling. Then, with a nervous laugh, she added, "It looks as if Sarah and I will be surrounded by boys. Well, I really don't mind playing with boys."

"Howdy, there!" called out Verne, as the group headed towards the boy. "I was told that you are new here. I happen to be new, myself - so I sure understand what you must be going through. So, uh, my name if Verne Brown? What is your name?"

"My name is Chester Collins," replied the boy, softly. "I, uh... I guess I was feeling so worried that... you wouldn't like me." He stood up, as he added, "Well, I rather thank you for coming over, and making me feel welcome. I was so scared of coming here."

"Well, the only person that you do need to worry about," Teddy explained, "is Charlie Needles. I really am thankful that he isn't attending school this term. He is quite a few years older than us - but he enjoys picking on the smaller children, even the girls."

"There you are!" called out Abraham, as he walked up to the group. "I was beginning to wonder where my sister ran off to. Sarah, you are supposed to stay in my sight."

"You're not my daddy!" Sarah retorted, indignantly. To Chester, she added, "My name is Sarah Lathrop - and this annoying boy is my older brother, Abraham. I mean, really love him - but he is only ten months older than me. I can take care of myself."

"Look, Sarah," Abraham replied, softly, "I simply don't want you to get hurt. Some of the big boys here really are scary, even if Charlie Needles is off this term. Anyway, I was told to be on a look-out for you. You don't want me to get in trouble, do you?"

"No, of course I don't," Sarah replied, with a small smile. "I am sorry I yelled at you. I just wanted to meet the other kids, and Linda and I will stick together. I was nervous about attending, but we're already making new friends - even though it looks like she and I will be the only little girls. Well, maybe Jenn and Tiff will let us play with them."

"Well, you really are just like Jules, Abe," Verne commented, smiling. While Abraham's comment about some of the big boys sure did make him feel somewhat apprehensive, he felt very pleased that he was already making new friends. "And I really love him."

"I quite wish I had a brother or a sister," Chester commented, sighing. "Actually, I did have a sister - but she died, when she was only six weeks old. I really miss her - but I guess the Lord, for some reason, decided that she was better off in heaven. Still..."

"I'm so sorry to hear about your loss," Verne replied, sympathetically. While he never personally experienced a death, he often heard his father talking about how close he was to Clint Eastwood - the young hero who had really defeated Buford Tannen, and then fell into the ravine. "I can imagine that losing her made you feel terribly sad."

Before Chester could respond, Clara rang the bell. Verne knew that it was the signal to line up. The boys just formed one queue, while the girls formed a second. He saw Chester standing in front of him, and he then figured who his seat mate would be.

"Good morning, class!" called out Clara. "I would like you all to greet our newest pupil, my son: Verne Brown - and make him feel very welcome to our school." Verne glanced behind him - as he saw the older pupils waving to him, as they had rather warm smiles on their faces. "Now, let's come inside - as we prepare for another day of learning."

Verne swallowed, as he followed Chester into the schoolhouse. There were twenty desks, with ten occupying each side. There was also a bigger desk really occupying the front of the room, as it was facing the class. That was where the teacher sat.

Verne then grabbed the desk in front of the room, as he signaled for Chester to join him. Verne smiled, as Chester sat beside him. He simply thought of how things might not be as bad as he feared. Even the older pupils seemed to be welcoming of him.

Indeed, he began to ponder over how lucky he was. He had friends to lean on, along with the opportunity to further his knowledge. Furthermore, he had a very warm and happy family - and, above everything, he had a loving mother to really help him learn new ideas. He realized that starting school was the beginning of a new adventure.