Second grade. Three unique kids unaware of each other. Unaware that they would all affect each other in ways they didn't understand. Two kids sitting at a table quietly, both doing their own thing. Hartley was writing and James was drawing. Hartley was a regular sized kid with shaggy red hair. He often times ignored people. James on the other hand had blond hair with purple splashed in it. His hair was messy and unruly. James was loud and always was talking. Hartley ignored him for the most part.

"Uh, can I sit here?" said a new voice. Hartley ignored him. Just another kid.

"Sure! I'm James! Are you new? Do you like card games?" he asked almost like a gunslinger shooting a person.

"Thanks. I'm Wally. My parents thought it would be better to go to school here so I am new. And what kind of card games?" Wally asked. Hartley gazed over at the new kid. Geez! He was scrawny. He was smaller than a first grader. He had windblown red hair and green eyes. He looked a bit nervous. A bit shy maybe.

"How about Go Fish?" asked James. Wally nodded then looked at Hartley.

"Would you like to play too?" he asked. Hartley was going to say no. But he was bored with working on his design.

"Fine," he said. James dealt them all hands. Things were a lot different after that. They noticed each other more and more. James and Hartley started to notice each other. And Wally was the one who started it. But it was set in stone after one little incident.

They were playing outside one day. James was playing with Wally. They played together. They weren't quite friends yet. They did hang out a bit. Hartley talked to Wally about books. Hartley was watching Wally and James play for a minute. He left to get a drink from the drinking fountain when he heard someone yell. He recognized it not as some kid in his class. James. He didn't think. He ran to see Wally and James fighting some other kids. Third graders.

"Stupid spotted baby!" one said hitting Wally.

"Freak!" said another hitting James. Hartley blinked. Then jumped on the back on the one who was hitting James.

"AHH! Get him off me!" he yelped. The kid beating Wally looked at his friend being attacked by Hartley. He tried to hit him but was tackled by James. Wally then helped then pin the two boys down. Until the teacher showed up. The teacher didn't even ask as she took the two third graders to the nurse's office and Wally, James and Hartley to the principal's office. The three boys looked at each other. James pulled something from his pocket.

"Go fish?" he asked. Wally chuckled a bit making Hartley snort. They all started laughing. Some things happened. They knew that they were going to be friends as James dealt their hands for Go Fish.

-.-

Trickster smiled as he and Piped Piper snuck into their friend's house. They knew they were welcome as James and Hartley but it was fun to sneak in as a criminal. Scared him out of his mind, making James laugh. They were in high school but still up to their usual antics. They entered Wally's room quietly. Wally was doing some English paper. They looked at each other before getting closer. Piped Piper looked over Wally's shoulder.

"Wasn't Cold good with Shakespeare?" Piper asked Trickster. Wally jumped and turned to look at his friends.

"No. I think that was Digger."

"No, Digger's history."

Wally sighed.

"I thought I told you guys I could not come with you to Rogue bowling night," Wally said looking back at his homework. Trickster gave Piper a knowing grin. They both grabbed his arms and proceeded to drag him out the window. Wally yelped trying to get his parents' attention.

-.-

"I swear Wally's friends are crazy," Rudolph said listening to the commotion. Mary gave a small smile.

"They are good kids Rudolph. They don't mean Wally any harm," said Mary remembering how close they were. She knew they were a bit turned around but she knew that they wouldn't do anything to hurt anyone.

"I know. But bowling?" he asked. Mary kissed her husband on the cheek.

"I recall you used to sneak out with your friends when we were dating."

He nodded.

-.-

Wally sighed as Trickster and Piper had finally gotten him into Hartley's car.

"I have a paper due tomorrow," he groaned.

"We have it covered!" James said excitedly.

This is in dedication to the Denizen of Madness. Please review!