A/N: So, trying to see if I can do the 100 themes challenge again. This one's on the Mad Hatter and a girl, Susan, from an upcoming story that'll be out once I'm done with "Trouble" and "To the Edge of the Dream". Hope you enjoy! :)

Introduction

I just wanted a friend. I'm not asking for much, just someone who'll listen and tolerate me. I just want someone to laugh with, to play games with and that sort of thing. I just didn't expect my friend to be a doll.

It was a normal day at recess, like any other day at first. I left for my hiding place on the other side of the school, between two air conditioners, or power generators, I'm not sure what they were as they were blocked by brick walls. There was a lone tree between them, which provided shade during the warmer seasons. As I sat in the shade, something caught my eye. It was a small doll, dressed in fine clothes, wearing a top hat, with long red hair coming from underneath the hat.

I picked it up. The hair seemed to be made with real hair; everything seemed as though it was real, even the stitched mouth that began to move, startling me so bad that I dropped the doll.

"Oh dear." I heard a male voice with a French accent. "My apologies if I startled you."

"Wh-who's there?" I stuttered, looking around.

"Oh, allow me to introduce myself." My eyes widened as the doll stood up on its own and bowed to me. "The Mad Hatter."

"The Mad Hatter?" I blinked. "Like from Alice in Wonderland?"

"If you wish it so." The doll raised its hat and looked at me with red button eyes. "What's your name?"

"Susan." I hesitated. Why on earth was I telling a doll my name? "Susan Soto."

"A lovely name." Man, this sure is a polite doll.

"Excuse me for a minute." I quickly turned the corner to see if the whistle had blown. Much to my relief, it had not.

"What troubles you, Miss Susan?" The Hatter asked.

"Just checking to see if Mr. G blew the whistle for me to leave yet." I explained.

"I do hope that you won't leave soon." The Hatter looked down. "It would pain me for you to leave."

"Well, I come here every day during recess." I told him. "I'd probably be back tomorrow." I paused. "I mean, if you want me to."

"I'd love that." The Hatter smirked. "It does get dreadfully lonely."

"You get lonely?" I was slightly surprised. "But you're so polite. Don't you have any friends?"

"I do." He smiled. "They're in Wonderland. I seem to have lost my way, and have ended up here."

"Oh." I looked down. "That makes sense, I guess." Just then, the whistle blew. "Oh, sorry. I need to leave."

"You will come back tomorrow, non?"

"Uh, yeah." I nodded. "I always come here. I don't really have any friends."

"You have one now." I gave a smile as I dashed away.

A/N: So, what do you think? Let me know! :)