𝑊𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 (𝙹𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝕩 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛)

THREE

Your only limit is your mind.

As we were walking Charlotte could not STOP TALKING! As we were going to the second floor she was describing a play that she was in. At least I think. My mind was in other places. As I was looking at the hallway I noticed Jack staring at me. As soon as he saw me he looked away and blushed. I have to admit, I think I blushed as well.

As they opened the door it revealed a huge stage. Charlotte started skipping towards the stage. Julian was running after her then motioned is to follow him.

Charlotte was still talking about how many people were there and such stuff. As Charlotte was talking about... things? I noticed Jack and Julian staring at me. I shifted uncontrollably. As soon as they saw they looked away. Jack headed back to the auditorium.

"We put on a play every year." Charlotte said.

"I don't think they want to be in a school play." Julian said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You can be in the play without actually being in the play. You can do the lighting and paint the backdrops." She responded.

"Yeah, whoopee." Julian said sarcastically.

"You don't have to take the theater arts elective. There's dance or chorus or band. There's also leadership."

"Only dorks take leadership." Julian said.

"Says you." I mumbled but he seemed to hear me. "Who would disagree?" He asked. "Everyone." I said bluntly. He rolled his eyes. I was about to punch him in the face but Auggie held me back.

"We're taking the science elective." My bro said.

"The science elective is supposably the hardest elective of all." He said. "No offense but if you've never, ever, been to a real school, why do you think you're going to be smart enough to take the science elective? I mean,-" let me shut you up right there." I interrupted.

"I'm not one of the people who like to talk but I have a lot of words for you and if you don't want to hear them I suggest you shut up your big mouth." I said. He looked as if he were about to cry.

I headed to Jack. "Hi." He quietly said. I waved back. "Sorry about Julian, he can be a jerk sometimes. But you seem to shut him up." He laughed. I gave a small smile. "Why don't you join the new kids, the jerk, and the..." I trail off. "Big mouth?" He asked. I quietly laughed and nodded. And we headed pack to the others.

"What's the deal with your face? I mean, were you in I fire or something?" I heard Julian ask. I was about to strangle him but Jack grabbed my arm and held me back.

"Julian that is so rude!" Charlotte said.

"I'm not being rude. I'm just asking a question."

"Not rude questions like that." Charlotte responded. "Besides he was born like that. That was what Mr. Tushman said. You just weren't listening."

"I was so listening!" He said. " I just thought maybe he was in a fire, too."

"Geez, Julian. Just shut up." Jack said.

"You shut up!" Julian shouted.

"You all shut up!" I yelled. They all looked at me in fear and amazement. "Look I don't care about your conflicts with one another but don't you EVER be rude to my brother! Got it?!" I shouted. They all looked at the floor and nodded. "Good." I mumbled.

"Cmon, August and Nora. Let's just head to the library." Said Jack.

I walked next to Jack and followed him out of that unpleasant place. He opened the doors for my and my brother. I gave him a playful wink and smile. He was as red as a tomato.

"Julian's a jerk." He said. "But, your gonna have to talk." He said to us. It's been like 10 minutes since my brother or I said a word.

"The word's 'supposedly' by the way." My brother said.

"What are you talking about?" Julian asked him.

"You said the word 'supposably' before." Auggie responded. "Maybe you should be homeschooled." He said. I fist bumped him and laughed.

We were following Jack and Charlotte down the stairs when Julian walked in front of me, making me fall on my back. "Oops, sorry about that!" He said. I just glared at him. Jack came over and reached his hand out. I took his hand and he helped me up. As he did I felt butterflies in my stomach.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Mom and Mr. Tushman we're talking to one another when we got back to his office.

"So, guy, what did you think? Did you like what you saw?"

"Yeah." My brother replied. I only looked at the floor.

Jack, Julian, and Charlotte were standing by the door. They didn't seem sure what to do. I knew Auggie was wondering something, but I didn't know what.

"Did you see the baby chicks?" Mom asked us. My brother shook his head I just looked down.

"Are you talking about the baby chicks in science? They get donated to a farm at the end of every school year." Julian said.

"Oh." My mom said.

"But they hatch new ones every year in science." He said reassuring my mom. "So August and Nora will be able to see them again in spring."

"Oh good." Mom said and putting on a smile. "They were so cute."

I knew Auggie hated it when she talked like a baby to us. Especially in front of people, and I hated it too.

As Mr. Tushman was talking, I caught myself staring at Jack. As he looked at me he blushed. I did so too and looked away.

"We forgot to show them the art room!" Charlotte said.

"It's okay." Mr. Tushman said.

"We can show them now." She offered.

"Don't we have to pick up Via soon?" Auggie asked. I knew he wanted to leave. So did I.

"Oh your right." Mom said while standing up. "I'm sorry, everybody. I lost track of time. We have to pick up my daughter at her new school. She's taking a tour." Well, she wasn't lying. Except for the part that we were picking her up. She's coming home with dad.

As Mr. Tushman and mom were talking I headed over to Jack. "Sorry about me yelling." I said. "It's okay. You were just defending your brother." I nodded. "Nice outfit." He said. "Thanks." He nodded

"We should really go, mom." Auggie said. "Okay well, goodbye guys! Thanks for showing Auggie around." Mom said. I hugged Jack goodbye and I saw him blush. "Bye." He said. I waved at him.

As we were heading out I kept on having this feeling. Like butterflies. Like someone made me feel like I had a purpose, or that I felt loved. But I didn't know what was causing it. Or who.