That's What I Am

Chapter 1: The Partner

Cody's POV:

(New's Anchor 1's voice)
It was unbelievable. The Dallas Police arrested Lee Harvey Oswald. In the solemn moment that marks the continuity of the President'a office...
(Man's Voice)
Jet pilots wear them! Skydivers wear them!
(News Anchor 3's voice)
...has joined in non-violent protest of the widespread discrimination throughout the country...
(Man's Voice)
How does a train go? (Train horn blowing)
(Announce's voice)
...Miss America contest. From 54 lovely hopefuls down to 10...
(Little boy's voice)
Train Track!
(Man's voice)
Terrific!
(News Announcer's voice)
The Army-Navy Game! Grassy setting for...
(Man's voice)
You can both have the glasses. They come in Duz!
(Woman's voice)
In Duz?
(Announcer's voice)
...Gerry and the pacemakers!
(Announcer 2's voice)
Spring-powered Big Shot comes complete with three rubber-tip missiles, capped...
(News Anchor 5's voice)
At home, protest against the war persisted. A growing voice, however, called the demonstrations "treachery". As the year began, a quarter million Americans...

(A/N: Sorry about all that above. In the movie that was the television talking and all that crap. Now the story will began!)

It has often been said that children are cruel. So goes the tale of Big G...

(Cody's POV)

"Joan looked at the generals, and said, 'My business is not with you. You have not craved a council of war.'
'Then she turned toward the King's privy council and continued.'

"No, it is with you. A council of war!"

"It is amazing. Councils of war have no value, but to decide between two or several doubtful courses. But a council of war when there is only one course?" My teacher read.

Big G had a head of flaming red... No, make that orange hair. The "G" stood for "ginger", a derogatory term for redheads.

Big G was easily a foot taller then anyone else in the school. Even so, his head was still too big for his body and his ears too big for his head.

One might think, in order to compensate, Big G might have been blessed with a handsome face. After all, Clark Gable had big ears. Lucille Ball had orange hair, yet, for them, there was compensation.

Not so for Big G.

"...the march upon Paris!" My teacher said.

Did I say children were cruel? Apparently even God has his moments.

"Indeed? And will your excellency be good enough to utter them? Cowardice and treachery, said Joan scornfully." My teacher read.

"And that's where we'll finish today." He said closing the book and putting the bookmark on the page.

"Okay, so the last few minutes of class, I want to talk to you about your final project." He said as everyone out there books away.

"You'll be working in teams of two. So, to make it fair, and so that each of you wont just be picking a friend to work with, I have decided to pair you up myself." He said making all the kids sigh.

"Each term will receive one grade, so you must work together and discover each other's strengths and capitalize on them. All right? Here we go." He said and looked at his clip board.

"Miss Tyler will be working with Mr. Wiley. Miss Archer will be working with Mr. Valero. Miss Katzman will be working with Miss Franz. Mr. Nichol will be working with Mr. Minor." He said. All the kids started chuckling at the last one. I looked back at Big G. Great I have to work with him...

"All right, class, I would like to have it absolutely quiet! Please!" All the kids stopped laughing.

"There's no reason for that kind of behavior." He said as the bell rang. Everyone started packing up and started leaving.

"All right, I'll put this list up on the board so the rest of you can see who you're teamed with. The assignment will be due at the end of the semester. And I will see you tomorrow." He said putting the list on the board. All the kids left and I took longer to leave.

"Good luck." My friend said before leaving.

"Mr. Nichol?" My teacher Simon said.

"I want you to know I paired you with Stanley for a reason. You're very fortunate, so please don't disappointment me." He said. I just stood there.

"Cody? Your thoughts?" He asked.

"Well, Mr. Simon, I just don't think I'm the right partner for Big... Uh, I mean, Stanley." I said.

"And why is that?" He asked.

"Well, he's a lot smarter than I am, and I'm not a very good writer. I could screw him up." I said. I hoped that work but sadly it didn't.

"Well, I beg to differ with you, Cody. I find your writing fascinating. Your a keen observer with a colorful perspective. In fact, underneath the poor grammar and the atrocious spelling, I believe there lies the heart and soul of a great writer." I looked at him shocked.

"Really?" I asked.

"Really. Do you enjoy writing?" He asked.

"Sort of. Sometimes. The making-up-the-story part, at least." I said.

"Well, if you enjoy something and you're good at it, then first you must define yourself as what you want to be." He said.

"Uh, I don't..." I said stuttering.

"Repeat after me. "I am a writer. That's What I Am."" He said.

"I am a writer. That's what I am?" I said more of a question though.

"Let's try that again. Stand up straight. Shoulders back. Deep breath. I am a writer. That's What I Am." He said and I repeated.

"I am a writer. That's What I Am!" I said smiling.

"Excellent! Now go, Cody. And write." He said as I grabbed my stuff.

"Yes, sir." I said and left the class room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's Chapter 1 I hoped you liked it. This is based on the movie That's What I Am! Please watch it. It's on Netflix. The kids name is really Andrew I just changed it to Cody.