School Time Begins (and so does the school year!)
As Brain walked hurriedly down the hallway to science class, Fern quickly spotted him. She ran up to Brain, waving her hand while carrying her books at her hips.
"Brain! Brain! Wait up!" she called.
Brain quickly turned his head around and his eye caught Fern's face. His heart beat sped up rapidly the minute Fern walked up to him.
"Fern! Hi there!" said Brain, blushing profusely. He tugged on his shirt collar, smiling sheepishly.
"How are you today?" she asked, cheerily.
"Uh, n-not bad, you?" answered Brain, nervously.
"Oh, today is okay! I'm just so excited for the new school ahead of us already!" said Fern, excitedly.
Brain looked away, tugging his shirt collar again and gulped. Nice move, Brain! Now what do I say? thought Brain.
"Hey Brain and Fern!" said Arthur's voice from behind him. He came running up to them with Buster.
"Hey guys!" added Buster, waving to them.
Whew! Thank goodness! thought Brain. Don't know what came over me! What would I do without them?
"So what's up guys?" asked Arthur, smiling happily.
"Oh, we were just talking on our way over to science class," replied Fern.
"Oh, I, uh, ran out of things to say. Didn't know how to answer when Fern said she was excited for the school year," explained Brain, looking away.
"That's okay, Brain; you didn't have to say anything, you know," smiled Fern. She gave Brain a sympathetic look while he looked back smiling sheepishly and scratched his head.
"Guys, what class do you have today? I already know Fern and Brain have science class together," asked Arthur.
"I have science and gym class this morning. During periods 1 and 2," replied Buster.
"I have English and then Science," said Arthur, frowning deeply.
"That's okay! We still share a lunch period together," said Brain, cheering everyone up.
"That's right! We can still meet up at lunch hour together at the cafeteria," said Arthur, smiling.
"Cool!" said Buster. "We won't be separated after all!" he cheered, punching the air with his fist.
"So shall we meet at, let's say, 12:00 at the cafeteria?" asked Arthur.
"Yeah!" everyone agreed, nodding their heads.
"Okay, I have to get to class now! See you later!" said Arthur, walking away. He waved back and ran off into the hallways.
"So Brain, what else were you talking to Fern about?" asked Buster, nudging Brain in the arm. He winked at him with a smile.
"Nothing! Nothing important!" quipped Brain, quickly.
"Sure didn't seem like nothing. Your face turned bright red when you saw them! I witnessed it!" said Buster, slyly.
"It did not!" protested Brain, getting annoyed.
"I'm sure it did!" insisted Buster, in a sing-song tone.
"Would you just shut up and leave me alone, Buster!" dem
anded Brain, angrily. He turned to Buster and pointed at him. "I just don't know what came over me, okay? So shut up!"
With that, he walked into the classroom hurriedly without looking back.
Fern sighed. "I wish he could just say what's on his mind more often. It would help things a lot more."
"Why would you say that?" asked Buster, slightly curious.
"Because I care about him, that's all," said Fern, skeptically.
"As a friend or more?" asked Buster, pressing on.
"Why does it matter?" asked Fern, slightly annoyed.
"Because maybe it would help clarify things better!" exclaimed Buster, looking taken aback.
"Okay, fine! As more than a friend, okay?" answered Fern, exasperatedly. "And besides maybe it wouldn't hurt…at all," she added, hesitating slowly.
"O-h-h-h-h-h…..I get it….you like him, don'tcha Fern?" said Buster, smiling and nodding his head.
"Please don't tell him I said that!" pleaded Fern, worriedly.
"Huh? Why not, Fern?" asked Buster, confused.
"Because he'll think I'm not good enough for him," replied Fern, sadly. "I'm a poet and he's Mister Smarty Pants! Straight A's in Science and Math and probably wants a girlfriend who'll be able to discover a new planet light years away."
"Awwwww…..don't worry about that Fern, he'll probably think so, ya know," said Buster, reassuringly.
"You think so?" asked Fern.
"I know so! You're a smart, pretty and nice girl who's good enough for any guy out there! And even if Mister Know-It-All doesn't pick you over a super woman genius of some sorts, there's still plenty of fish out there!" said Buster, smiling proudly.
"Thanks Buster! That really helps!" said Fern, smiling proudly.
"Hey Fern, Buster! Get inside or else the bell's going to ring any second!" called Brain, popping his head outside the door.
Maybe he does care thought Fern as she and Buster ran right inside the classroom.
…...
Brain sat down at his desk and sighed. What kind of ideas can I present as Quiz Factual? He thought long and hard. He pulled out a blue notebook which contained a few sketches of Quiz Factual's costume design. It depicted Brain in an orange suit with a dark blue cape, boots and gloves. On the front, it said "Science is cool!" in yellow letters. He wore a dark blue mask with eyeholes which was tied at the back of his head.
"You know, this guy isn't as bad as I thought," said Brain, smiling proudly. He opened his notebook to a nice, clean page and took out his pen. "Now to write an introduction."
'Hello there! You're probably wondering by now who this is! Well, my name is Quiz Factual and I am a scientist. I've heard you are having trouble with science and I am here to give you guys a helping hand! Over the course of the school year, I will go over the announcements and give you fun science tips. We will do a trivia show over lunch hour each week and I will give out points to whoever gets them right! Who wants to play?'
Brain smiled as he skimmed over the script. Then he pulled out a pack of 36 index cards. Turning his laptop on, he searched for science facts and bookmarked certain pages he knew he could use. He wrote down each fact on his index cards then shut down his laptop for the night.
The next morning, Brain slowly went into school looking dead and his eyes looked sullen and half open. He let out a big yawn while at the same time held his books underneath his arm when all of a sudden...
"Hi Brain!" called Buster, happily.
The sudden shout of Buster's voice stung Brain for a few quick seconds before he went up to face Buster in the eyes.
"What's up, Buster?" asked Brain, groggily. He let out another big yawn, covering his mouth with his hand.
"Just happy to see you," said Buster, shrugging his shoulders. He put his arm around Brain's shoulders, turning his attention to his friend. "How are you holding up, man?"
"Nothing much, just doing some rough drafts for Quiz Factual," explained Brain.
"Huh? What for?" Buster asked, confused.
"Well, I've been working on the introductory script and costume design. It's coming along well. I even came up with some references to the science facts I want to incorporate. All I need is an assistant to help move things along, like help make the costume," Brain continued, perking up. "You have any idea who might be able to help me?" he asked.
"Hmmmmmm….Buster thought slyly. If I could help set Brain up with Fern, it might move things along for them. They could make a really good team and a really great match! So let's do it!
"You could always ask Fern to help out as an assistant. She's a really good sewer and really organized!" suggested Buster.
"That's a really great idea Buster! I can ask Fern to help me out! Why didn't I think of that in the first place?" exclaimed Brain, gladly.
"Speaking of which, if you want to talk to her, she's right there in the classroom, preparing for class," said Buster, pointing her out.
"Thanks Buster! I owe you one! I'll even buy you a neopolitan sundae for dessert at lunchtime!" said Brain, running right into the classroom.
"Mmmmm….neopolitan sundae," said Buster, dreamily. He followed Brain into the classroom.
"Hey Fern!" said Brain, cheerfully with a big smile.
"Oh, hi Brain! You're looking cheery today!" said Fern, smiling back.
"Listen, Fern, I have a big project that I'm doing for school and I need your help and sewing expertise! Will you please help me by being my assistant?" asked Brain, getting out his blue notebook and flipping through the pages.
"Why, me?" gasped Fern, in awe. She blushed rosy red and looked back at Brain in a sheepish smile. "You-you really want me as your assistant?" she asked, pointing at him.
"Why, sure! Why not?" asked Brain, shrugging his shoulders.
"Okay! Why not?" agreed Fern, shrugging her shoulders, sheepishly.
"Great! Let's shake on it!" Brain said, holding out his hand. Fern reached out and shook his hand in a tender grip. Fern and Brain stared at each other right in the eyes and each felt their own heart pound really hard. They both looked at the hands then back at each other and back at their hands before finally letting go.
"So, uh….when do we start?" asked Fern.
"How 'bout, my place after school?" suggested Brain.
To be continued…