BOOKWORMS & APPLES, A DESPICABLE ME ONE-SHOT
A/N:
-Credit to caffeinated fanfiction, from whom I got the idea for Margo's communication difficulties which I think I'll be using in most of my fics from now on.
-This fic was inspired by a dream I had, which in turn was inspired by the 'SpongeBob' episode "Just One Bite".
Everyone who knew the Gru girls knew they each had their own favorite things: Agnes liked unicorns and fairy princesses, Edith liked airplanes and ninjas, and Margo liked books and math.
And one day while they were playing in the playroom of their mansion, Margo decided to offer Edith a book to read, one about planes.
"Pfft," the 7-year-old scoffed, having her doll crash her plane into a toy castle. "I don't READ, Margo."
"You never know, you might like it, Edith," Margo said, bringing the book (titled 'Anna Green's Flight Quest', by S.E. Hart) closer to her middle sister.
"NO!" Edith crashed her plane into the book, pushing it back in the process. "Reading is for EGGHEADS like you, Big Sis."
"I am NOT an 'egghead', I am well-read," Margo scowled defensively. "Now read it and WEEP!"
The 10-year-old shoved 'Anna Green' in her tomboyish sister's face again.
Edith scowled back and pushed the book away.
"I don't know what 'weep' means," she said. "But the answer's still 'No'!"
And she stalked off to go do something else.
...
The rest of the day became formulaic, with Margo still - futilely - trying to get Edith to read 'Anna Green'.
At the dinner table:
*MARGO PUSHES BOOK TOWARDS EDITH'S PLACEMAT*
*EDITH SHOVES BOOK BACK*
"No!"
In the living room, while Edith was watching 'SpongeBob' with Agnes:
*MARGO HANDS EDITH ONE OF HER COMIC BOOKS WITH 'ANNA GREEN' TUCKED SECURELY INSIDE*
*EDITH SWATS THE BOOK OUT OF HER SISTER'S HANDS*
"No! And don't touch my stuff!"
In the playroom:
*MARGO PLACES OPEN 'ANNA GREEN' ON TOP OF EDITH'S COLORING BOOK WHILE SHE'S GETTING A NEW CRAYON*
*EDITH TOSSES BOOK ACROSS THE ROOM*
"No!"
And finally, in their bedroom...
Edith had just come out of the bathroom, all dressed in her polka-dot footie pajamas, and was faced with her 10-year-old sister holding 'Anna Green' as if it were a silver platter, a smug smile on her face.
Edith pulled on the tassels of her beloved wool hat, letting out a growl of irritation.
"OK, OK! I'll read your stupid book!"
She snatched the book out of her sister's hands and set it on the side of her bomb bed.
Margo looked rather pleased with herself.
"I knew you'd come to your senses sooner or later."
Edith chose to ignore her.
"I'll read it first thing in the morning. But I won't like it."
Agnes pointed to the book and giggled. "Boo'!"
Margo beamed; Edith whinnied.
...
After he'd read them their favorite bedtime story and was tucking them in, the girls' dad couldn't help but notice the book by Edith's bed.
"Edith, yur READING!?" he remarked, surprised. Usually, he had to fight to get the 7-year-old to do her book reports; he still had a bruise on his ankle from where 'Charlotte's Web' had been thrown at him.
"Margo's making me do it," Edith replied. There was a hint of whine to her voice, as though she were hoping her daddy would tell her she didn't have to do it.
Instead, Gru chuckled and ruffled up his 7-year-old daughter's hair underneath her wool hat.
"Atta gurl, Edith! Reading eez good for leetle gurls like yoo!"
He gave Edith a second kiss on the forehead. The little girl turned a bright shade of pink; though she'd never admit it, she actually LIKED getting extra kisses from Daddy.
And so Gru wished the girls goodnight and exited the bedroom, leaving the nightlight on as usual.
...
THE NEXT DAY...
Edith woke up to find her older sister poking her with 'Anna Green', a smug smile still etched on her face. (Notably, the tomboy had been sucking her thumb in her sleep).
The 7-year-old groaned, pushed her tassel hat out of her gray eyes, and snatched the book out of the bookworm's hands.
"I hate you," she grumbled, opening the novel to Page #1.
Margo just giggled.
...
As Edith began to read, her disgusted expression slowly turned blank. She read all morning long - at breakfast, in the shower, getting dressed, during chores, etc.
Then at noon, Edith closed the book, having finally finished the first chapter.
Margo looked up from the doll she was dressing and gazed at her little sister expectantly, waiting for the final verdict.
"So, what'cha think?"
"Um, it was -" Edith said slowly.
She chucked the book across the room, making her bookish older sister gasp, scandalized.
"HORRIBLE!" the pink-loving tomboy exclaimed. "A COMPLETE waste of my time! Reading is for smarty-pants eggheads like you, Margo, and I'M not an egghead. I'm a GAMER, and don't you forget it!"
Margo had her head bowed, disappointment etched into her face. Agnes, meanwhile, was watching this scene with innocent hazel eyes, sucking her thumb and clutching her beloved bowlbrush unicorn toy.
Margo said she'd been sure Edith would love the book, but reading's not for everybody, she guessed. Sadly, she left the playroom to go tell their dad the disappointing news.
As soon as Margo left the room, Edith dashed over to where 'Anna Green' lay smacked against the wall, caressing it as though it were a baby doll.
"Oh my golly, I'm so sorry I had to throw you like that, sweetie," she cooed, holding the book close and running a hand over the cover as if to soothe it. "It's OK, Bookie. Mama's here."
And with that, Edith sat down on one of the beanbags and began to read again.
She read all afternoon while Agnes played with her toys right beside her, finishing the final chapter just in time for her dad to announce dinner was ready.
Collapsing on her beanbag, Edith sighed and hugged the book tightly before an awful realization hit her: SHE WAS AN EGGHEAD.
...
A FEW MINUTES LATER, AT THE DINNER TABLE...
The Grus were having hamburgers that night, and as usual the middle child would NOT shut up, but what made this noteworthy was what she was talking about: airplanes.