Welcome to The Land of Misfit Toys

Chapter 2: The Ropes

The lunch bell rang and instantaneously, the hallways were filled with chattering students. The smell of friendship and laughter hung in the air like it was actually part of the atmosphere.

I slung my bag unto my shoulders as I bowed my head and tried to walk away from the classroom without being noticed by others. I didn’t want to attract any attention to myself, especially on the first day.

“You know, if you’re going to survive the barren wasteland of bullies and social climbers, you’ve got to be familiar with the right ropes to hold on to,” Abby told me as she walked on my right. She had her handbag slung on her shoulder like a woman should.

The way she sashayed down the hall enchanted me. It was hard not to notice how good of a model she would’ve been. She was taller than me for about two inches. It’s alright though, I don’t mind being the small kid since I was the youngest anyways.

“Stick with us, kid, and you’ll survive through the day,” Andrew assured as he slung his arm on my shoulder.

I haven’t realized how tall Andrew was and how muscular his built was. He was taller for me for about four inches, reminding me of that close friend I was talking about. They were almost the same. Same height, same built. It was hard not to think about a friend who was like your brother leaving you.

I simply nodded to show them that I comprehended what they said, and smiled to show a little gratitude of their effort. I mean, it’s not every day that you get to meet people who would like to take you under their wing even though you’re the weirdest little kid they’ve seen.

I mean, I know how weird I can be. Who would want to be friends with a small fragile looking kid that was so quite, it was as if he wasn’t there? Who would want to be friends with a small kid that everyone avoided as if he was carrying this communicable disease or as if he was a scary ghost?

It took a lot of courage for them to pass my weird barrier, and for that I was truly grateful.

I wanted to keep them as my friends till the end of time. But one thing that pain taught me was that never get yourself too attached to people because you never know, they might be your greatest joy right now but they may become your greatest pain later.

I don’t want to repeat history, not again. I don’t want to get torn apart again, not again. I don’t want to feel the way I felt back then, not again.

“So, Gray, tell me, are you lost or something?” Abby asked as she fell in line with the other students and began passing red trays to me and to Andrew.

I tilted my head sideward like lost puppy asking for directions. I had a hint that she was asking why I was in junior classes when I looked so young, but I had to make sure before I answered. I would look vaunt or cocky if I told her why and she was referring to another topic.

“I mean, how old are you, really?” she continued asking as she grabbed a plate of salad and placed it neatly on her tray.

“Fourteen,” I simply answered as I gently reached for a plate of pizza.

“Really? You’re too young for junior life, kid, especially here,” Andrew chuckled as he gave me a pat on the back and reached for a plate of burger.

“Yeah, I got accelerated a few times. My parents thought I wasn’t reaching my full potential at the lower levels so they had me tested to see if I can go to higher levels already,” I answered with a sheepish smirk spreading across my lips.

“Cool,” was all Andrew remarked as he reached for a bottle of juice.

“Doesn’t that bother you that you’re the youngest kid in class? I mean, doesn’t that get you bullied or something?” Abby asked as she reached for a bottle of cold water.