Dear Readers,
I am dedicating this story to my readers and reviewers of "Journey," another Zack centric fanfic that I am in the midst of writing. I'd like to consider this multi-oneshot piece an offering to partially make up for the long six month period between my last two chapters. Of course, I can't really make up for the long failure to update, but I'll try. And don't worry; I'm still going to continue to update "Journey." This is a side project that I am trying for fun. I hope it is well received.
And for all of you who are not familiar with "Journey," forget everything I just said. Now bring on the ZACH LOVE.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bones, nor will I ever own Bones.
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The little girl's pigtails, tied up in blue ribbons, swung as she turned her head and pointed at the creature in front of her. "Butterfly!" she squealed in delight.
"Danaus plexippus."
The girl with the white blonde pigtails looked over to see a young boy looking at her. "What?" she asked him.
"It is a Danaus plexippus, commonly referred to as the monarch butterfly."
She contemplated him for a moment. "You talk funny," the girl finally declared. Seeing the confused and slightly offended expression on his face, she attempted at friendliness, "Hi! I'm Anna. What's your name?"
The boy looked down at his tennis shoes, "My name is Zach."
After a beat of silence, Anna walked closer to him. "Do you like my pigtails?" she waved them in his face.
"They're p…pretty," Zach stuttered nervously, "V…very pretty."
She giggled and he ducked his head. "Come play with me Zach!" Anna grabbed his hand and dragged him to the swing set. She sat him down on one swing, and then took a seat on the swing next to his. "I love the park. And the swings," Anna bobbed her head up and down with excitement.
Zach simply nodded in agreement and kicked off, boosting himself into the air.
"So what was the butterfly's name again?"
"Huh?"
The girl hit him in the arm as he passed her on his swing, and he winced. "You know," she raised her eyebrows, "The m…monarch's name."
"Oh," the boy understood, "It is called the Danaus plexippus."
"Danis…plessipoose," she repeated, thoughtfully.
Zach didn't make an effort to correct her, so the two swung in silence for a while.
"Anna! Anna, it's time to leave!"
"That's my mommy," Anna halted her swing and hopped off. Zach did the same. "I had lots of fun playing with you, Zach," she smiled and squeezed his hand once more, before running to her waiting mother.
Zach sighed and sat down on the swing, alone. His mother was late to pick him up, as she always was. He had many brothers and sisters. No one remembered to pick up the tiny genius at his advanced learning summer camp, attended by children four years older than he.
After all, with all of his other siblings, his awkward personality didn't really stand out.
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I promise that not all chapters will be this short. And sorry to end on a kind of sad note. I wanted this chapter, and all the chapters following, to have little bits and pieces that contribute to my fictional Zach childhood. Not all of his childhood will simply be fun and games.
Now, I'd like you guys to put forth your ideas for the next chapter! What do you want me to write about? I can't guarantee that every chapter will be based on your ideas, but I'm trying to get my reviewers involved in this story.
Please review! Criticism is always welcomed!