“Why makes him so special that he doesn’t get a power dampening cuff?”

Liam keeps his head down, trying to just make it through fourth period. There’s 13 minutes left.

“He’s got autism.”

“Oh. So he’s one of those kids.”

“Why isn’t he in the special learning class?”

“He doesn’t talk like us. Do you think he understands us?”

He squeezes his eyes shut, willing for time to pass. He never understands why people see him differently. Just cause he’s neurodivergent doesn’t make him less human. Liam is beginning to adopt Lou’s philosophy of cats being supreme.

If only they allowed for his headphones during class but contrary to what his classmates believe, he doesn’t get special treatment. He may have to not wear the bracelet, but he refuses to be an exception in any other sense. He hates exceptions.

“Hey, shut up. He’s smarter than all of us combined,” Jeremiah snaps.

Liam’s eyes widen. Jeremiah doesn’t look like he normally does. Usually, Jeremiah has a permanent smile that’s all teeth. It is almost unsettling. Facing the not so quiet people, Jeremiah is frowning, and not even a small downturn of his lips, but a deeply upset one.

“How would you know? He doesn’t even talk.”

“He can talk. He uses his fun phone voice and can sign. I think that makes him an excellent communicator,” he retorts, his tone firm, unmoving.

The others leave him alone. It is almost like Jeremiah’s powers is persuasion instead of plant based. Just one word from him (actually several) and their peers realize it isn’t worth it. Or maybe they respect Jeremiah and don’t want to go against him. Either way, Liam is grateful.

Jeremiah’s hands move a bit stilted and uncertain, but the message is clear._ Are you ok?_

Liam suddenly feels choked up, his throat closing up and his eyes get blurry. He doesn’t understand why, but maybe he doesn’t need to know. Yes. Thank you. He manages to sign back.

Jeremiah wears that wide smile again. Even if it looks painful to Liam, he’s beginning to realize it’s his natural state. And everyone should be who they really are.

That’s what he likes about Jeremiah and his friends. They appear as they are.

“Lo siento, I don’t know how to say this all in sign. But I’m sorry about those guys.”

Getting his phone out, he answers, “It’s ok. I’ve heard worse.”

Admanantly shaking his head, Jeremiah refutes, “No, it’s not ok. They shouldn’t judge you.”

Typing into his phone, he tries to express himself. Reassuring isn’t Liam’s forte. So doing both at the same time is genuinely difficult for him. But he’s trying. For his friend. “Well I don’t like any of them. None of their opinions count. I like you and yours counts.”

Beaming again, Jeremiah appears content, so Liam believes he did an adequate job at what he was intending to do.

“Why are you learning sign?” Liam brings up. Why is he learning? Liam has his phone, so they can still communicate. Why learn another language? Jeremiah already knows two. No need to be confused with a third.

“Well actually I wanted to ask you and your hermano to help me,” Jeremiah says. When Liam doesn’t responds, he adds, “I want to learn for you.”

Even though Liam thinks that Jeremiah is pretty much who he appears to be, he does stuff that puzzles him. Like this. “Why?”

“Because you’re mi amigo. Your opinion counts for me tambien. And I want to know it in your language.”

Liam isn’t good with feelings, his own or others, but the gesture warms this heart. Jeremiah never lets Liam wonder what he means. He always is just out right with his intentions.

Jeremiah is a good friend. Maybe Liam’s first real friend (not counting his siblings).

OoOoO

“So I was thinking after school, we could go check out that art store. Mom and Dad said you could get some new supplies,” Zac suggests, leaning backwards in his chair.

Lunch was moved inside today and the noise of everyone in a confined space hurt Liam’s ears, so Zac brought him to the library to eat. Jeremiah and his friends tried to follow, but Zac waved him off and said it was brother bonding time. Whatever that means.

“Ok. I need seven things,” Liam signs, and then goes to count his carrot sticks. Eight.

“We’ll pick up Precious and then go,” Zac begins to talk through their day and how it will go.

“Can Jeremiah and Este come?” Liam asks, not even looking at Zac.

His reply isn’t surprising to Liam. “No.”

If his brother is anything, he is consistent. Though Liam doesn’t quite grasp why Zac had an instant dislike of Jeremiah. When around Jeremiah and his friends, Zac appears to be ok. Talks and interacts, at least.

He isn’t the best at interpreting conversations, but he thinks Zac likes Jeremiah and the rest. But for some reason, he doesn’t want to like him.

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t trust him fully yet,” Zac responds. To Liam, it should be simple. Jeremiah is nice and wants to be Liam’s friend, and Liam believes he’s the same to Jeremiah. So what does Zac see that Liam doesn’t.

He trusts Zac. He doesn’t know the feeling with many other people. So he wants to believe his brother. But it doesn’t make sense in his head.

“Trust him with what? Me?” It’s not accusatory. Liam isn’t sure if he knows how to be. It’s a genuine question. Because he so wants to understand.

Normally, it is easy to understand Zac. He’s an open book for Liam, opening his pages willingly to him. Now it feels shut, unable to read him.

Zac doesn’t speak which makes Liam uneasy. It seems that he is the one struggling with what to say this time. “It’s not that I don’t trust you to make your own friends, Liam. I don’t trust other people to have your best interest at heart. Jeremiah is so….too nice.”

“Too nice? Someone can be too nice?”

Too nice? Out of all the things to be, too nice doesn’t sound that bad. Jeremiah is abundantly nice, not too nice.

Zac crosses his arms and leans back in his chair, the front legs hovering over the ground. “Yes. Too nice people usually want something,” Zac explains.

His justification only jumbles Liam’s thoughts more. Liam knows his own shortcomings. He knows he doesn’t read people, so in the past, he’s needed to rely on Zac or Precious or his parents. But this is the first time he felt like he can decide for himself.

“No,” he signs, confident in the movement.

Immediately, Zac leans forwards, the chair fully on the ground. It makes a small squeak when it dragged on the ground which makes Liam wince.

“What?” He asks, clearly not expecting Liam to disagree.

Going back to his lunch, he lowers his gaze. “Jeremiah is just a nice person. A nice friend,” he answers simply.

Zac shakes his head, his eyes holding this specific look. One that Liam sees a lot on him. He just doesn’t know what it means. “How do you know that?” Zac questions.

“Because he wanted to learn sign for me. Just because he wants to be my friend,” Liam signs, trying to express the genuine intentions of Jeremiah.

His brother becomes silent. His mouth opened and closed three times but nothing came out.

Liam lives his life with a lot of confusion. Zac is normally the one with the answers, always prepared. But he seems….put off by this conversation.

“And he wants you and me to help him learn. When he does ask, I want you to say yes,” he continues.

Lifting his head up, Liam makes himself look his brother in the eye, which takes a lot of effort for him. Zac meets his eyes, a new glint in them. Another thing that Liam can not know about.

A smile forms on his lips, which is usually a good sign. His brother only smiles when be feels positive emotions. He never fakes a smile.

“Ok.”

And today, today felt different. I felt more open and relaxed. Like I didn’t have to hide anymore. My hair was growing out and I felt like myself. I participated a lot more in my classes and my teachers noticed. At lunch Caden came to my class and picked me up. What an angel. When he walked in I didn’t see him and he wrapped his arms around me. I jumped. “Hey, love.” He whispers. “Oh hi! What’re you doing here?” “I thought I’d pick you up for lunch…is that ok?” I turn around with a grin. “More than okay. Where are we going?”

“How about…we grab some subway and go to Barnes and Nobel?”

I stand up excitedly. “Yes! Then we have to go now!”

I watch as he grins, the smile I love so much. “Ok. Let’s go then.” He takes my hand and we leave the building to his car.

About ten min. Later we’ve got subway in the car five minutes out from B&N. “So how was school so far today love?”

“Decent. I had a pop quiz. I don’t think I failed it.”

“That’s something” I take another big bite of my sandwich. Gods I would marry subway.

“What about you?”

“Actually really good. I haven’t liek felt like running away from a class yet so!!”

We laugh and he pulls into b&n.

I have been hurt I have been made to feel nothing but your abuse I have been treated as just some crappy T-shirt I have been seen as not a person, but something to use

I have been harshly insulted I have been found and beaten senselessly I have been made to look like a shithead, a fucker, a pussy, a really retarded kid I have been doing my academics and activities quite badly

I have been shoved in lockers and gotten dunked I have been picked up and thrown from here or there I have been so distracted from work, many tests I have flunked I have been cut up, bruised, so nervous, it’s hard to bare

I have been seeing my family for assistance I have been working out at my place I have been having great persistence I have been working hard at my own pace

I have been practicing on my concentration I have been constantly studying I have been progressing in my self-education I have been loving learning

I have been seeing new people I have been making friends that make life great I have been not so socially feeble I have been much more confident as of late

I have been getting stronger I have been getting more assertive I have been getting smarter I have been getting more extrovertive

You may have thought that I would end up very weak and soft-spoken You make break me, but I am not broken

When school started up again that week, I didn’t care what happened. If people didn’t like that I, a quiet, kind, girl was dating one of the hottest and sweetest guys at school, they can go gossip. Caden has made my life immensely better. And because he was a hair stylist he helped me find ways to do my hair. It finally grew out enough that he could do mini braids and he would. Caden drove me to school today and we walked in together. “Can I introduce you to my friends?” He asked as we made it through the doors. “Sure. Id love to meet them.” I grinned. I stopped by my homeroom to show I’m here and Caden and I walked to his homeroom where a lot of his friends were. “Will, Levi, Kade, this is Kallian. My girlfriend.” “Hi!” I smiled and they all stood up to greet me. “We’ve heard a lottt about you. He never stops talking-“ Kade started “Shut up.” Caden turned red but held his glare, which got his friends to break a laugh. “It’s nice to meet you all. Yes, I’ve heard he talks about me a lot. Creep.” They got them all to start laughing. “Well tomorrow night we are planning on hanging out, wanna join?” Will asked me. “Sure! Just lmk the times.” The bell rang and I said goodbye heading out to my homeroom. I kissed Caden and his friends all ooo’ed. Then the school day began.

a bit gruesome

Your words Are knives slicing my throat Taking away my voice Scared to insult you By asking you to stop.

Your words Make me smaller Bit by bit But it’s ok As long as you feel better.

Your words Hurt more than you think And I never did anything wrong Or so I believe But I’ll still love you…because you’re human.

But why can’t you stop? I’ve just existed And even that’s not enough?

Your words May kill someone soon I used to think it’d be me But I think it’s gonna be someone Close to me Someone I couldn’t protect

So please Stop while you’re at it.

We walk out of the bathroom and I smooth my clothes and he shakes his hair like a dog which gets me to laugh. When I hear the doorbell. As I walk toward the door I whip my head and throw a face saying I told you so to Caden and he grinned. I open the door, “Hi Kallian! Thank you for having us over.” I grin letting them come in, “I’m glad you could come. Dinner was just made so you came right on time.” Then I see Cadens sister talking to Caden and he turns read as she turns to me with a raised eyebrow. “I’m not blind. Plus I know my brother. “ and I barked out a laugh. Caden and I led them to the table that we extended and they sat down as I got the food. Josie took a large sniff and sighed, “that smells amazing.” I thanked her as I dished it onto their plates. I sat beside Caden, and across from his parents. “This looks amazing! What’s it called?” His mom asked. “It’s called Greek Chicken. I can give you the recipe if you’d like,” A wide smile split her face “that would be perfect.” I smiled and gestured for them to dig in and we did. Caden ate it all super quickly. “So, Kallian, how’s school been going?” His father asked me and it wasn’t a bad question. Not anymore. But Caden being a sweetheart looked at me with a glance saying I didn’t have to respond. “It’s actually been really good. It’s getting easier- and we’ll- I’ve got someone by my side.” I smile softly nudging Caden with my knee. “That’s good. I’m glad Caden can be used for something!” Josie stated which got the whole table to laugh. She’s an angel. We had more conversations as we continued and I felt very happy to be with a family. Then his mom asked a question, “Where are your parents?” “Mom-“ Caden began “No no. It’s ok. Well, my parents chose to go off and live closer to my brother in college while I was not in the best place mentally. But, I managed and I’m better. A lot better actually.” “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was a rough topic but I’m glad you are back on your feet.” Cadens dad said gently. “Thank you.” After dinner his mom pulled me to the side. “Hey I apologize for asking about a touchy subject.” I opened my mouth to speak and she put a finger up to silence me. “But, I want you to know that even though I don’t know you well i will always be here to be a mother figure for you. You are already like family.” My lips began to tremble and she pulled me into a hug as I thanked her holding back the tears. When they left they let Caden stay over for the night. Caden asked about what his mom said to me. I told him. He pulled me into a hug kissing my head and said that I was always welcome. I fell asleep in his arms in my room. Safe. Home. He was home.

Caden offers to help with dinner. We both decide to make Greek chicken since it’s my favorite meal, and consits of the ingredients his mom uses a lot. Normally I wouldn’t wear an apron but I liked my outfit today so I went along with putting one on. So did Caden. And he looked adorable. “Ok, teach me what to do!” Caden said rubbing his hands together. I took out the recipe and we began. I had Caden keep stirring the pan so they wouldn’t cook all on one side, while I diced the vegetables and began the rice. A half hour later we were done. We washed our hands and set the table. “I need to get ready give me a minute.” “I’ll come with you. It’s just your hair right?” “And makeup but yea.” “You don’t need it.”

I blush as I head to the restroom. Of course, Caden follows me. We had taken our aprons off and I grabbed the brush. As I brushed my hair Caden snooped around the mirror and cabinets. He pulled out my makeup cup and set it on the sink. “Thanks” I say “Even if I don’t think you need it, I like to still help. Can I put it on you?” He asks so innocently. I smile and nod finishing my hair since it still remains short. I prop myself up on the sink as he takes out my mascara. My hands hold the sink so I remain still, as his left hand cups my cheek and his right applies the makeup. He asks me to do simple things like slowly close my eyes, or to look up and I do so. When he finishes he puts away the mascara and looks to make sure he did well. Or so I thought…he leaned in, and so did I. Our lips connected and I pulled him closer, my arms around his neck, his now on my waist. My heartbeat is loud in my ears, but I don’t care. I love kissing Caden, holding his hand, hugging him. He’s just perfect in all. And it’s amazing. He pulls me to the edge of the sink, deepening the kiss. I pull back, knowing his family would be here soon. “Your….your family will be here any time now.” I say a little breathless. His eyes find mine and goodness I want to kiss him again. “You’re right. But, one more kiss?” “Only one.” I say leaning in a little bit. “Yes ma’am.” He breathes against my lips as we come into contact once more. I pull back a few seconds later, knowing I can’t continue or we’d be late to get to the door. “I kinda wish we didn’t invite my family now.” Caden groaned. I laughed, “well I want to look presentable so let’s go.”

I love writing children’s stories. And as soon as I saw this prompt, it immediately reminded me of Junie B Jones. Lol. So this is definitely based off of her character. —————— Third grade was a jungle gym full of meanies, and Bobby was the king of the monkey bars. He wasn't exactly King Kong, in my eyes, he was just a big fat monkey. Every chance he got, he'd bellow, "Hey, Big Red!" across the room, pointing at my flaming red hair and freckles.

“ my darlin’ Megan, “my mama would always say. “Freckles are just gods glitter!’’ But the whole rest of the third grade class seemed to think they were pretty darn rotten.

Today, the fire alarm must've gotten stuck in Bobby's head because it was "Big Red" this, "Big Red" that. By the tenth time, my face was hotter than a bowl of spicy chili. Enough was enough.

Stomping over to Bobby, I scrunched my nose up like a bulldog and shook my fist in the air. "Big fat meanie Bobby, I'll rip your head plum off!" I roared. I thought I sounded like a big scary lion. But apparently, everyone else disagreed.

The class erupted in laughter. Bobby, with a belly that wobbled like jelly, doubled over and wheezed, "Yeah, right! In your dreams, Big Red!"

Just as he turned to snicker at his pals, I saw my chance. In a flash, I grabbed the waistband of his neon green sweatpants and yanked. Down they went, revealing a pair of bright white underwear with tiny blue stars.

“Look! “I hollered, pointing at fat Bobby’s tidy Whiteys. “Look at his pretty panties! “

That big fat monkey really got what was coming to him, because now the whole class was laughing at him! Bobby's face turned the color of a beet, and he scrambled to pull his pants back up. Even Miss Penny, our usually strict teacher, stifled a giggle.

As for me, I puffed out my chest, feeling taller than my scrawny self ever had. Maybe being Big Red wasn't so bad after all.

“Come in.” I stepped aside and closed the door as he walked in. “We’ll watch it in my room, is that ok?” “Yep.” I lead him to my room and he hopped onto my bed and held his arms out for me. I crawled into them as he kissed my head countless times. Giggling, I hit play. “Oh by the way, all of my friends know about us. Not Marcus and them, they aren’t friends.” Caden said, his voice sound happy. And the fact that he told them immediately meant that he was excited. “What did they say?” I looked up at him. He blushed, “They said it was obvious because…I talk about you a lot” “Awww my boyfriend is embarrassed.” He tazed me in the side and I bust out laughing. “Ok ok I’m sorry!” He finally stopped and we continued to watch the movie.

At the end of the movie I had a thought. “Do you want to invite your family to dinner tonight?” “Sure! But may I ask, why is it that you live alone? Or, that’s what I am assuming based off the fact I’ve not met or seen your parents,” I wince and he just holds me closer. “My parents left to live near my older brother who is in college. They left when I was…not okay. I was struggling and they just left because they didn’t want to deal with me. Marcus somehow found out and used it against me often. But it’s just another sign of how unworthy I am and useless.” “Kal…” “No. They were right when they said they were leaving for themself. They are happy now that they don’t need to take care of me. But I just…I wish they didn’t leave me. And that’s why I question why I got close to you so soon.” He turned me around so I was facing him but still in his lap. “Kallian. you are worth all of this world. You are amazing and don’t deserve this. They missed out on a wonderful girl. And I understand why you may be hesitant around me but…I love you. “ I stop. He stops, waiting for an answer. “You…you love me? Even after-all that?” “Yes ofc. And if you aren’t ready to say it that’s-“ “I love you too” I began to cry and he pulled me tightly into his arms. He kissed my head and I felt his little smile when he did. I looked up at him and I leaned in and kissed him. Love…I have someone, who loves me. Despite it all. And I love him too.

That night he called his parents and they were going to come for dinner at 7pm. I had to cook. But what?

The first time I saw Riko, she was wearing a red t-shirt, worn to the point the print long faded. Anya dismissed her as another poor charity case, while Aki couldn't take his eyes off her during morning drills. Aki hasn’t sat with us since.

Riko this, Riko that! We talk about her a lot, for a girl we don’t like. At least according to Anya, we don’t.

Today, our lunch table is emptier than usual, with only me, Anya, Sho Sho, and Mike present. The rest are serving lunch detention—again.

“Do you see that” Anya chuckles, pointing with her spoon across the canteen. “She’s at it again. Pathetic.”

I turn to watch Riko picking up plastic bottles from under the benches, collecting them with the same grocery bag she brings every day. Her black hair sticks to her face, and when she tries to sweep it to the side, it falls right back.

“Here she comes” Anya whispers, gathering the empty soda bottles by her side. She grabs mine to, even though I’ve still got half the coke left.

“Hi, Anya, Sho Sho” Riko greets, smiling at the girls. She twists the bottle cap from side to side, swaying in place at the gaze of everyone in the table. “I was wondering if I can collect your bottles for you.”

“Why?” Anya asks, even though she knows. The school gives twenty-five cents a bottle you recycle, and kids like Riko use the money to buy lunch. Mike says it’s a bullshit excuse to throw money around, but I think he only says that because of Anya.

“Well, to turn in for recycling” Riko replies, tightening her grip on the bottle cap.

“So you want to get money from the bottles I purchased” Anya questions, raising her voice so the tables around take notice. “You think that’s how life works? Just leeching off other people’s profits?”

“No, that’s not what I—”

“The world doesn’t revolve around people like you” Anya continues. “Who’s to say I don’t want to turn in the bottles myself?”

“I understand. I’ll go now.”

Everyone holds there breaths, until Anya finally speaks again. “Wait.”

“Yes?”

“What is she doing” Sho Sho whispers, leaning across the table towards me and Mike.

I shrug, but Anya's expression tells me it isn’t good. You should leave now, Riko.

Anya crosses her legs and turns towards Riko, inspecting her with disdain. “Beg for it, and I’ll give you all my bottles.”

People immediately begin whispering, and a group of guys laugh from the table next to us.

“Not cool!” a girl protests. She seems like she’s trying to sound angry, but it comes out in a laugh.

If she snitches, that’ll be lunch detention for another week. Dad would hear about it, and I might as well just die now. Judging by the look she’s giving me now, she probably about to run off and—

“Okay” Riko mumbles, shrugging off her backpack and placing the bag of bottles down.

“Please, oh please Anya” she says with feigned sincerity. “Grant me your bottles!”

More snickers fill the air, and Riko’s smile widens. Even on her knees, she maintains that same stupid grin.

“Ugh!” Anya yells. She uncrosses her leg, kicking Riko on the chest and sending her sprawling back on the ground.

The room shifts instantly. The laughing is now nervous, cautious. Hell, even I didn’t think Anya would do that. She hates Riko, for reasons beyond me, but she’s always settled for teasing. Not this.

“Listen here you little rat!” Anya snaps. Riko kneels with her hand on the ground, coughing a clutching onto her shirt where Anya kicked. “We’re all sick and tired of your pathetic attitude. If your going to beg, I want you on your knees, kissing my shoes. Actually, I don’t even want your disgusting lips near them. You should just-“

“Anya!” I interrupt.

Shit.

She slowly turns around, her blue eyes wide and furious. “What now, Kenji?”

“I-well-“ I turn towards Mike, who avoids eye contact along with Sho Sho. Traitors. “Your taking it a little far…”

“Ha!” Anya laughs, dragging a fry through a sludge of ketchup and waving it around as she speaks. “What, are you like Aki? Do you like her?”

“No!”

“Do you think standing up for her will make her like you back?”

“Do you want to kiss her!” Mike chimes in, like a dog on Anya’s leash.

“Ew, no!” I yell. “I would rather lick a toilet bowl than kiss that girl!”

Chuckles spread through the room, and satisfied, Anya turns back towards Riko.

Rikos hair covers her face almost entirely, as if she’s hiding her shame by lowering her head. But then why…is she smiling?

“After all that, I suppose I’ll give you the bottles” Anya drawls. She throws the bottles at Rikos head, getting one last laugh out of the crowd of students. “Let’s see what you can do for me next time.”

Riko collects the bottles and leaves, and lunch goes back to normal. Anya and Mike laugh, Sho Sho watches with that same jealous look she hides behind her glasses every day, and I quietly watch Riko as she buys a plate of lunch, smiling. Smiling! Why would she be smiling? She was just humiliated, and so was I because of her!

Lunch ends and I wait by the door, making sure Anya is gone before I approach Riko.

“Riko” I call out, harsher than I intend.

She looks up, smiling once again. “Hi Kenji.”

“Why are you smiling?”

She blinks slowly. “What?”

“Your always smiling! We mess with you and you smile, like some creepy doll that doesn’t know what to do! Your smiling right now!” I’m yelling. I don’t know why.

Riko collects her belonging and walks out the canteen. I follow.

“Are you going to answer me, weirdo?” I demand.

Riko sighs, her smile faltering as she keeps walking. “Yell at me all you want. Lick a toilet bowl for all I care. Just know that your anger earned me twenty-five cents. So really, feel free to do it again tomorrow.”

She forces a smile and turns a corner. I miss my class but follow.

“If you keep acting like this, Anya will never leave you alone.”

“Like what?”

“Proud.”

“Hmm. But I did what she wanted, didn’t I, Kenji? Anyways, this is my class. Thanks for walking me!”

Is this girl serious!

“Your such a smartass,” I mumble, turning back around.

“And your an asshole.”

She can fight back all she wants. Its her fault if she’s to be damned. But if I get dragged into this—no I won’t be.

Not again.