The songbird's wings

Chapter 1

"Octave, dear! Time to get dressed! Shall you wear slacks or a skirt?"

"Slacks."

"Octave, sport! Do you want to drive with me or your mother?"

"With you, father."

I've always been odd.

Or, at least, that's what I've been called.

And for exactly that reason.

I was a child, nothing more, nothing less.

If I felt like skirts and bows today, I'd wear skirts and bows. If I felt like slacks and shirts, I'd wear slacks and shirts.

If I felt like talking with father about the proper way a man acts, that's what I'd do.

If I felt like learning etiquette and when to bow with mother, I'd learn just that.  

Today, I felt like dresses, but I wanted father to teach me how to fix the car if it broke down as he drove me to school, in case he wasn't around and how to play ball.

I was rather careful, as mother had just ironed the bright dress I wore, and I'd hate to burden her with doing it over. 

"Good job, sport! You're a natural! We have about 15 more minutes before we have to go. One more round?"

"Yes, father."

Before long, he'd kissed my mother goodbye and put me in the passenger's seat, headed off for my first day of public school. 

"Father?"

"Yes, sport?"

"Will school be any fun?"

"Why sure, sport! You'll learn all sorts of things, and you'll make friends! I still remember my school days, and being your age. Care to hear a story?"

"What will I learn there that I don't with you and mother?"

"...Well, sport, it'll be a valuable lesson for you. It'll teach you character, among other things. Your mother and I can teach you all we know, but character, you'll have to form for yourself. Understand?"

".....Yes, father."

Within the hour, I had arrived, stepping out of the car and walking with my father, eyes on me even then.

I never understood why people stared.

Didn't mother say it was rude?

My father began speaking with the woman who apparently would be my new teacher, gesturing to me several times. 

"Octave is a special little one. Take care of them," said my father, finally turning back to me with a smile, kneeling.

"Alright, I'm leaving sport. Be good for me." With that, he kissed my forehead, ruffling my hair and leaving me alone with a sea of unfamiliar chatter and noise. Then, the woman kneeled, as father did. 

"Hello there, sweetie."

"...Hello."

"I'm Ms. Goodweather, your teacher.  Why don't you say hi to all your new friends, dear?" She said in a soft tone, tilting her head in a friendly manner. I took a moment to regard the other children, who stared right back, muttering softly.

"Hello."

I was never very talkative.

"This is Octave, children. Make sure to make them feel welcome, yes?"

"Yes, Ms.Goodweather!"

I was one of them now.

Though, that wasn't an infinitely comforting thought.....

I just knew someone from either side would ask "which one?"