It was a normal day for the Freaks.
Myrawas chowing down on her usual ham and cheese, while Stephen contemplated silently about 2012. Aaron and Reilly were bickering, as usual. Reilly’s hair was frizzing like mad, just like it always did when she was furious, and Aaron’s freckles stood out in sharp contrast with his bright red face.
Myrawondered if four really was the perfect number of friends. If one deserted you, another might, but you still had one on your side. It wasn’t possible for that to happen to the Freaks, in any case. Reilly was her best friend, after all, and it wasn't likeMyrawas friendless, not in the usual sense. But still,Myrawas curious. There was her, the day-dreaming wonderer who was quiet but managed to get straight A’s. There was loudmouthed Reilly who was always straight out, all honesty, but was also always there forMyra. Aaron was more the joking, funny type, who wasn’t afraid to goof off every once in awhile—or often, but he kept them cheerful. Stephen was a complete wacko--two personalities. One was sweet and nice, careful and happy. The other was quiet, thoughtful, pessimistic.Myrawondered how he contained it all within one person.
Yet for all their differences, the Freaks all had one thing in common—Myra. She was their rock, their anchor to the rest of the world. Without her, they’d be nothing. She spoke to them, talked with them, and gave them the perfect advice. BesidesMyra, they didn’t speak with anyone outside their small, tight-knit group.
That was whyMyrawas looking to adding an additional member to the Freaks. It would be another person to talk to—another personality that would complete the circle of friends. They would have to be pleasant, friendly, of course. Other traits were important, too, questions thatMyrawould have to consider carefully. Boy or girl? Tall or short? Quiet or loud? What about grades? Hair color? Eye color? Things that would balance the Freaks but not topple them. ThenMyrathought of something else; age. What else?
A little kid would complete their group; creative, thoughtful, imaginative, and talkative, and obviously short. Girl,Myradecided.
“Guys?” she spoke. People from other tables by that of the Freaks turned around, as if looking for the source of the sound. When they sawMyra, they snickered and turned away.Myrasimply ignored them, but she lowered her voice. “I think we should add a final member to our group.” That caught all of their attentions. They looked at her expectantly. “I was thinking of someone a little different,” she began, “who would complete us. We haven’t added anyone since Stephen, and that was in fifth grade.”
“Was it really that long ago?” Stephen wondered aloud. His face changed from it’s brooding, scrunched up look to a more relaxed, speculative expression. Aaron clapped him on the shoulder.
“Dude, I was third grade,” he said. “You’re not as old as me.”
“Be nice, Aaron,” Reilly snapped. Inside,Myragrinned. It was obvious the two liked one another; Aaron had been a good choice. “I was in kindergarten, so I was around before the Freaks—I was the first, and best.”
“I think you’re forgetting that I was around before any of you,”Myra put in, amused the Freaks could entertain themselves so well, andMyra found it hilarious to watch. “Anyway, I think the new addition should be different. Not just personality different, but age different.” The Freaks looked impressed.
“How long have you been thinking about this?” Stephen asked, looking interested.
“I just thought of it today. I was just wondering, you know, how young. I get that little kids, like, little little, would be stupid. Maybe fourth, fifth grader? A girl.”
“How about we think about it? It’s a good idea, but once we get a new Freak, we’re together forever.” Reilly like to use their cheesy line as often as possible. “No offense, or anything,” she added, not wanting to makeMyrafeel insulted.
