Hello, this is my first fanfiction in the Lorax fandom, so please be gentle with the story. I just thought this would be a cute little story to write up since I watched the movie a few months ago. I never really thought to put it up until now, so I hope you enjoy. I don't own The Lorax or it's characters, only my OC. I hope you enjoy!
My name is Raven Tano Relecno. I know, weird name right? Well, there's a reason I have the name, but it involves a tale. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the story. Its gonna be a long one, I guarantee it.
It all started some time ago. I was in a classroom 'taking notes' on the 'glorious' corporation owned by the 'great' Mr. O'Hare. Pfft. More like a 'great' joke.
"And that, children, is how the foundation of O'Hare was founded, giving us fresh air through the smog we still live in today," Miss Maroo, our seventh grade teacher, wrote on the board.
The other children were quietly taking notes. I was doing something much better while taking notes.
While my left hand was taking the notes, my right hand was doodling in my sketchbook, jotting down new invention ideas and such. I've had this dream when I was little to become an inventor. Maybe even put that shorty out of business once and for all.
"Miss Relecno!" I snapped my head up, my raven-colored hair sweeping across my light blue eyes. I inwardly rolled them as Ms. Maroo glared at my sketchbook with disdain in her eyes.
"I do not appreciate how you're disrespecting our mayor by ignoring his history and…and drawing meaningless pictures! Put it away before I take it away!"
"Yes, ma'am," I sighed irritably, closing my sketchbook and sliding it into my satchel.
"Now then-" The school bell, thank goodness, rang. Ms. Maroo huffed and announced, "We'll pick this up on Monday. Remember that the final exam is next Friday and then summer vacation. Have a good weekend, everyone!"
"Yes!" I grinned, snatching up my satchel and rushing right out the door. Yeah. I did not like school.
I got teased and scolded at because all I really did was draw in my sketchbook. I had to have gone throughout at least seven in my entire lifetime. But what did they all know? They just don't appreciate genius when they see it.
It was a normal day, the citizens either relaxing in the park, conversing in the café or watching their children play with the artificial trees. I rushed home as fast as I could with my long legs. I don't know where I got them from, but I wasn't complaining. I got places and I got there fast.
I ran and ran as fast as I could, looking around the city of Thneedville to see if I could find anything different or at least worth drawing. I got that inspiration when I looked directly at the town square.
I stopped abruptly in my tracks at what I saw. A little blonde girl dressed in green and looked no older than four, giggling and squealing as an elderly man bounced her in his lap. He was grinning like a maniac at the reaction he was getting from her.
"I wuv you, Gwandpa!" She threw her arms around the man's neck in a warm hug. The girl's grandfather smiled warmly at her and hugged her back.
"I love ya too, Buttercup."
Seeing that made my eyes a little misty, I can tell you that. I can't say I've never had a grandfather. I've only one and his name is Mort.
However, he isn't really what anybody would call 'grandfatherly'. He's never held me in his lap when I was younger nor did he ever give me a cutesy nickname like any other grandfather would.
Now, I'll admit that I'm not into all that mushy stuff too much, but it's not the substance, it's the principle of the thing. I want something like a grandfather that makes me feel special. Maybe not even a grandfather, but someone, anyone really, that gets me. I like doing what I do now and I want someone who can accept me and care about me despite what I do.
Is that really too much to ask? To ask for just one person to be your friend, maybe even family when you feel all alone in the world?
A grave sigh escaped my lips and I blinked my eyes, trying to dismiss the possible future tears that may come. I then ran back to my home as fast as I could, just wanting to be alone for the time being.
"Mom! Dad! Grandpa Mort! Grandma Helen! I home!" I yelled entering my home and kicking it shut.
I rushed up the stairs and into my room, where I flopped on my bed and kicked off my shoes. I opened up my sketchbook and began to draw again. It was just something I've never gotten tired of doing!
Someone knocked at the door to my bedroom, making me almost sigh in irritation.
"Enter," I said, not stopping my newest drawing.
"Hey, honey," Dad entered the room, his black, graying hair swooping across his forehead above his chocolate brown eyes. "I brought you some cookies."
My eyes snapped open and looked at the tray in his arms in wonder, "Marshmallow chocolate chip?"
He chuckled, setting the plate down on the nightstand, "What else?"
I snatched one and gobbled it down, letting the sweet blend of marshmallow and chocolate melt in my mouth. Dad took a bite out of his cookie and sat down on the bed, taking my sketchbook and looking through it. He had to have done that every day since he knows I come up with new drawings every day of my life.
He arched his eyebrows at my latest drawing. It was of the little girl with a large grin on her face as the grandfather bounced her in his lap.
"And what made you think of drawing this, young lady?" He showed me the picture.
I took a large gulp of my second cookie and pulled my legs into my chest, murmuring, "No reason, really."
My dad frowned and put a firm, gentle hand on my shoulder, "Raven Tano Relecno. I know you better than that. What's the matter?"
How did my dad know me like that? I thought, smiling while shaking my head. I sighed and just blurted out, "I want to know more about my grandfather!"
He shot back a bit at my sudden answer, but seemed to recompose himself as he replied, "Well, your Grandpa Mort was a sailor long ago in his youth-"
I put a hand up to stop him, "Not what I meant, Dad. I know about Mom's father, but I wanna know about your father.I know he's dead and all, but can I please know something about him? I don't even know his name! Please?"
His eyes widened suddenly and he stood up from the bed.
"Sorry, honey. I can't tell you. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't."
With that, he just went up and left the room without another word. A tear fell from my eye as I slammed my face in my pillow and screamed a muffled scream.
That's what you say every time I ask, I thought sadly.