They couldn't be more different

8thSeptember 2008

Most kids get nervous on their first day at school.

Martin Crieff was no exception - quite the opposite, he was more nervous than your average kid, he was visibly trembling, and beginning to sweat. He was already worrying about sweat patches and B.O., which really didn't help him calm down.

"Keep still Tinny!" His brother Simon had always called him that, because apparently he always sounded hollow.

"You're spraying me like a wet dog!"

Simon never said anything nice - he was a bully. He wasn't one of those bullies that everyone secretly hates, but is too scared to say; he was an annoying bully in that - apart from Martin - he was nice to everyone. He was constantly smiling, and always got good school grades. He was never caught, and took no time at all to do his homework. Martin didn't hate him, he was just insanely jealous. Simon could easily become a pilot if he wanted, he didn't want. Martin wanted, but he couldn't easily become a pilot. Everyone knew that, even he did. Luckily, while everyone else thought he couldn't ever become a pilot, he just thought it might take him a while. Still, just thinking about flying had helped him calm down. A few more deep breaths and he was no longer shuddering.

"You can't blow me dry you know!" - Simon being horrid again.

Dad came in. "Look after him Simon, he's smaller and shyer than you."

"'Course Dad, he's my brother." With this Simon grabbed Martin round the shoulders with one arm, and shook him in what seemed like a brotherly display of affection, but was actually a brain bashing exercise in which Martin struggled to keep his head on straight.

The school bus was crowded - they were the last stop. Luckily this meant Simon couldn't insert himself in an adjacent seat to Martin and badger him. He did however end up next to a spotty faced boy a number of years older than him, who grunted a response to Martin's stuttered greeting, and managed to jab him with the corner of the book he was reading every time the bus bounced in a pothole - of which there were many - as they swung round the car park, and into the school lay by.

It was an all-boys school. Martin's sister Caitlin went to a girls' school in completely the opposite direction from their house. He sometimes wished that her school was mixed - from what she said about life there it was perfect for him. Even the unpopular ones had some friends. Simon had told him numerous horror stories about Wokingham Boys' School. It wasn't as boring as it sounded. Simon wasn't kind enough to tell Martin horror stories about the school; instead he just related how much he loved it, and how he'd never survive without his friends. Martin knew he'd make no friends, he never had. Not at primary school, not in his short time as Cub Scout, not even among his peers at his social group. He was going in a few weeks to get the result of his Autism assessment. Basically someone somewhere would talk to all his old teachers, and some of the new ones, and do some other stuff to try and gauge his social aptitude. Martin didn't see the point, his social aptitude was 0, and he knew it.

He went through the usual shenanigans of a new start, planner, rules, timetable, name, and a tutor, Mr. Greendale. In that time he met one patronising idiot and made one enemy. Jackson had ruled him off as insane at the words "Physics" and "Maths", and Lucas was stuck to him like if he left Martin might faint from withdrawal. Martin had considered speech therapy for his stutter, but his dad would never approved, he'd just say he needed to man up and it'd go away itself anyway, no need to spend money on some therapist.

Mr. Greendale then decided that it would be good for all their confidence if each class member stood up and said a few words about themselves, their family, and their old school. Martin was somewhere around the middle, before Lucas or Jackson.

"I'm M…M…M… Martin" Already he could hear the sniggers. "My brother S…Simon is i..in year 10 here, and I come from the s…same school as Rob." He bobbed on the spot in an attempt at 'I'm done' but Mr. Greendale wasn't done with him yet.

"Tell us something about yourself Martin - I don't know… what do you want to be when you're older?" Of all the questions he could have chosen, he'd quickly be judged in all manner of ways now.

"A pilot."

"Fantastic, maybe you can tell us more some time. Come on… Freddie, you next" Martin sat down, and Lucas whispered in his ear.

"What? You didn't tell me that!"

"You didn't ask!"

"I'm trying to be your friend!"

"Sorry, I guess I'm nervous." Martin could tell Lucas was still miffed, but he really would rather be friendless than have to follow this lad around like a puppy just for the rare occasion when he actually wanted to talk to him.

The other speakers faded into the background, as Martin began counting down to his first Science lesson. He hoped the teacher was nice, he liked Science.

AN: Not much to say, just big thanks to my Beta CatsWhiskers for her help and advice. Also, please review as feedback is always welcome :)