It was the last day of school today. Next year I'll be moving onto high school, which terrifies me! The halls that twist and divide into more hallways like a never-ending maze, the Seniors tall enough to be classified as miny titans (or giant oxymorons), and the assignments that pile into mountains. Boy, am I excited!
To be completely frank I'm more than a little envious of Arty. He's advancing to first grade in September. I vividly remember Elementary School when my most pressing worries were: whether the tooth fairy would arrive or if a pink hairband was bright and girly enough. Now times are different with tests, cliques, and other struggles that come with being a teenager.
Unlike worries and struggles, there are some things that for better or worse never change. For example Arty's repetitive attempts to crack me up with his banal and corny jokes. As I kick a rock across the pavement Arty pips in with a joke he likely heard from a teacher or cheesy internet post.
"Hey, Alex. Why is Mr. Snuggles never hungry?" Though I already knew the answer it was more endearing to hear him retort "...because he's stuffed!" Followed up by a fit of laughter. He turns to me and the sides of his mouth crease down in shame. "You didn't laugh at that one." He holds his hand to his chin and strokes a phantom beard. "Here okay so..." he pauses to think a little longer.
He snaps his thumb and middle finger together and starts again. "What do you call a pig who's good at karate?" Deciding to play along I ask. "I don't know. What do you call a pig who is skilled at karate?" Arty faces toward me and draws a deep breath as if to add suspense where there was none. "A pork chop!"He shouts and mimics the action. While pretending to be an edible black belt his foot catches on the rock I was kicking, and he stumbles into the grass.
I rush toward him and lift him back onto his feet. Once he is balanced he spins around. "Tah dah," I snicker slightly at all his adorable "arty silliness". Looking pleased with himself he adds "I win." I look to him and share a genuine smile.
"Yes, I guess you have."
YOU ARE READING
Experiment 1.0
Ciencia FicciónAs a mysterious epidemic sweeps the nation, leaving hundreds hospitalized-one of whom is Alex and Arthur Bishop's father-Alex receives a letter from Y.I.E.L.D.( a scientific association that specializes in studying and providing cures to recent outb...
