Ten Years Back, 2006

Chapter 1: Jealous

"That is how you add, class." I already knew this. I already know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. I want to do something more advanced, like fractions and decimals. I'm only in second grade, which is the easiest grade of my life. Seriously, move on! Everybody is so SLOW!
"Hey, I can run almost as fast as you!" Someone in my class shouted. I think I said the last thought out loud. At least they didn't get it. I pounded my head against my desk.
"Tas, stop that. You're disrupting the class." My teacher said.
"Can I skip a grade?" I asked.
"No." I pounded my head one more time, then sighed. The door opened and right at that moment, I saw the most beautiful toon I ever seen. She was pink, wore a bowtie on her head, a green shirt and a blue skort. Wait a minute, how did I know it was a skort? My mind is becoming a feminine. I never experienced this feeling before. I felt weird urges. I just want to, HUG her, but wouldn't I get cooties? I don't care.
Tas, did you just think that? I thought.
"Class, this is Sabrina. Say hi." The teacher said.
"Hi." She greeted shyly. To other people, it might just be a normal voice, but for me, it was music to my ears. Her voice was smooth and delicate. My neck became stiff. Everyone said hi back, except for me. I'm choking on my own words!
"Tas, aren't you going to say hi back?" My teacher inquired me. I tried again, but air escaped. Oh man, he knows already. "It's okay, he's just flabbergasted by your timing."
"I'm guessing 'flabbergasted' means 'surprised'?" She asked. My brain became more relaxed. Oh my, I can listen to her all day long.
"Right. Sit right next to Tas, the brown mouse?"
"Okay." She walked to the empty desk next to me and sat down. My heart was pounding. I never felt this way before. This one is, special. There was a red cat watching my reactions. Her name is Kit. We're best friends, like Mike and I.
"Hi, I'm Tas, nice to meet you." I held out my hand. I never did this before. Sabrina took my hand.
"I'm Sabrina, nice to meet you, too." We shook hands.
"Hi, I'm Kit, and you better stay away from him." Kit butted in.
"She's just kidding. She likes to joke around with the new kids." I reacted coolly. Kit gave me an evil snare, which is the scariest thing you will ever see on your best friend's face.
"Okay class, time for lunch!" The teacher celebrated. There was a lame shout of hoorays. "I appreciate your enthusiasm."
"What?"
"Use the dictionary. Seriously, I'm teaching five year olds." The teacher muttered.
"Come on, let's go." I said. I got up and went to the closet to get my lunch. I looked back and saw Sabrina get up awkwardly. I never want to let her go. How did these feelings develop so quickly? I felt my pulse. That's weird, it's beat at a normal pace, but it was thumping against my chest.

We entered the cafeteria. These big kids are so tall, but I'm smarter than most of them. I sat down where I usually sat and tapped once on the space next to me while looking at Sabrina. She stopped and sat down next to me. Why did I just do that?
"Again, I'm Tas and I'm the smart one here. Mike and Kit usually sit here. I know Mike won't mind you, but... Yeah." I did my signature shoulder shrug. I put my lunch box on the table and opened it. Grilled cheese, my favorite.
"I'm Sabrina, again, and I feel I'm also smart." She said.
"Oh really?" This is where Spaz, my hyper-energetically powered personality, came in. "What is four times nine?"
"Thirty-six." She answered quickly.
"Nice!" We high-fived and laughed. I took a bite of my grilled cheese as carefully and politely as possible. The somehow hot cheese spread through my tongue and covered it. The flavorful, soothing cheese went down my neck. I sat back and relaxed, until I saw Mike and Kit come. They sat down in front of me, except for Kit. She lagged behind. This is where things started to go badly. Kit "tripped" and the milk and fish fillet flew out of her lunch tray. I didn't react quickly enough, so the next thing I see, Sabrina was covered in milk and a fishy smell. Anger built inside of me, but it didn't come out badly.
"Are you alright?" I asked with concern and a hint of panic.
"I'm okay, I'm sure it was just an accident." Sabrina answered. The lunch aid came to us.
"Oh my, what happened, dear?" She asked.
"Kit tripped and her stuff went flying onto me." Sabrina explained.
"Here, let's get you to the nurse." The lunch aid took Sabrina's arm and they walked out of the cafeteria. I looked at Kit.
"What the heck was that for?!" I yelled. I never got angry before.
"Like she said, it was on accident." Kit replied.
"You'd never ever lose balance. Even on that balance beam, you ran without falling or even an inch to the side!"
"I guess that streak is over." She turned around and went to the other side of the table.
"Uh, what just happened?" Mike asked.
"I have no idea." I answered.