Whoville Elementary, 1980

The bell rung throughout the school, signaling the end to their playtime. Little Who pupils filled the classroom in a wave of their blue and red uniforms in a rush to get back to their assigned desks. Miss Rue Who was very stern on her rule about getting to the classroom on time.

Today was presentation day and each student had an assigned project specifically designed to his or her own topic. The students had a week to complete them at home with the help of their parents, and today was the day they get to present them.

A simple little project was nothing for the Grinch. The young What was able to complete his within a couple of days WITHOUT the help from his old Biddies, despite their constant whining and nagging about how they should've assisted him. He rather took pride in that thought, how he was the first one in the class to finish and how he had no extra homework to do for the rest of the week.

Speaking of the other students, their projects didn't look nearly as half as creative as his. He could tell without even looking at them that ninety-nine, if not a hundred, percent of it were store-bought and had their parents do majority of the work. Slackers! His was completely handmade, like nothing they've ever seen before. And he was darn proud of it too!

Sally-Anne's looked basic, Augustus's looked worse than last week's garbage, and Whobris was just a copy-and-paste of what Augustus did. His golden eyes scanned every one of his classmates' creations, until they landed on Martha's.

Martha May Whovier was the newest student to be enrolled in Miss Rue Who's third grade class. A prim and proper little eight-year-old who's caught the eye of every eight-year-old Who boy…especially Augustus, who couldn't seem to take the word 'no' for an answer. Her uniform was pressed and cleaned each and every day without a speck, her blonde hair styled in just the cutest pigtails with the letters 'ABC' platted on top. She hasn't even been here a full three weeks and yet she became one of the most popular because of her looks and gentle personality…or perhaps her family's wealth.

She had actually spoken to him a few times during and after class. Telling him how Christmas was her most favorite holiday of all. The Grinch wasn't surprised by this in the slightest. Christmas was every Who's favorite holiday; but hearing it come from Martha made it sound a bit more special.

He hates to admit it, but the Grinch might be developing what the others called 'a crush' on Martha May. Though he doesn't know or understand why! He's a What! They're not even the same species! So what should he care about a Who for? A very, very, cute young Who who he swears has the prettiest set of blue eyes he's ever seen in all of his eight years of living…

'Snap out of it!' Grinch demanded inside his head. Praying he didn't say any of those thoughts out loud. Whatever…she wasn't even that cute to begin with.

That was a lie. The Grinch, even at age eight, had become a remarkably skilled liar; but even his best lie couldn't deny that fact.

All thoughts aside, the presentations were about to begin as everyone gave the teacher their undivided attention.

"We will now begin our presentations, everyone!" Miss Rue Who began. "Let's let our newest student go first. Miss Martha May, will you please come forth and show us what you made?"

Martha nodded and rose from her seat, carefully grabbing her project and bringing it to the front of the class. The Grinch analyzed her during this process. Her project wasn't as creative as his, definitely having help from her father who worked as a lawyer, but he'll give her the benefit of the doubt. And only her.

Her presentation was going good. She spoke in a nice, clear voice and described each part of her project in full detail. She could already tell that she was getting an 'A' on this assignment.

That is, until something went wrong. The glue that was holding some of her buildings blocks together didn't dry completely, and it came loose, falling onto the floor in front of her and shattering into pieces.

You could hear a pin drop at how silent it was in the classroom. All eyes were on her, and little Martha was utterly embarrassed. A few students began to chuckle while some giggled even louder, laughing at her misfortune. What was once a confident little girl, now felt very small and insignificant. Her cheeks were only a few shades away from matching the color of her red, knee-high stockings. Watery eyes looked over at her classmates in silent fear as she bit down on her lips, helpless.

Grinch honestly felt bad for her, and seeing Martha in that state tore his little heart up in his chest. He glared at the little punks for laughing at her. He'd like to see what they'd look like in her position!

The situation was getting worse, and he could already see the tears beginning to pour down her face. He needed to do something. Without another thought, he placed a furry hand up to his mouth and blew hard, making a raspberry.

PBBBBT!

And in an instant, all heads, including Miss Rue Who, snapped at the sudden sound of a fart erupting from the back of the classroom. All eyes were now directed on him as they stared at with looks of disgust and confusion.

Grinch shrugged sheepishly and said, "Bad lunch, I guess?"

That was all it took to get the entirety of the class cackling with spiteful laughter, Augustus begin the loudest, of course. Miss Rue even had to stifle her own giggles at the moment. The only one who wasn't doubled over by this was Martha, frankly because she was simply too shocked and surprised that he actually did something like that. Her wide, blue eyes met his across the room and he gave her a little smile, letting her know that he totally meant to do that. For her. And her previous embarrassment immediately dissolved into little giggles as a tear droplet rolled down her porcelain face.

Hours later and class was finally dismissed. Time to go home.

Everyone else left the second the bell had rung, yet Grinch usually likes to stay behind and take his time.

While packing his supplies away in his knapsack, he unexpectedly felt a small tap from a familiar white-gloved hand on his uniform shoulder. He whipped around at the feel, seeing Martha standing right behind him with her bag clutched in her arms.

She smiled at him, her cheeks rosy all over again. "You really didn't have to do that for me, you know."

"Soooo, just let them make fun of you then?"

That blunt response got her quiet, staring at him for a moment before she continued. Hey, just because he likes her doesn't mean he's gonna quit being his Grinchy self.

"What I'm trying to say is thank you. For standing up for me. That was very sweet of you." Her voice was quiet and a bit bashful as she shuffled her black Maryjanes.

The Grinch simply shrugged again. "Eh, it wasn't that big of a deal. I'm used to getting weird looks and laughed a-"

But his comment was cut short the moment he felt her lips plant a sweet kiss on his green cheek. His yellowed eyes enlarged as he had to take a second to mentally process what just took place. She…she just kissed him! She had just kissed the Grinch!

Martha giggled at the shell-shocked phase that her furry companion was now stuck in. He looked mighty cute like that, indeed.

"I gotta go, but maybe we can play together sometime after school?"

He didn't fully hear what she said, but whatever it was, he knew he would want to do it. "Uh huh…" He said dazedly, slowly nodding his head.

She walked near the door, giving him one last glance. "Goodbye, Grinch." Before she left.

Something tells him that he's going to develop a nice friendship with that girl in the mere future…maybe even more.

Present Day

"Say, Mr. Grinch," Cindy Lou Who asked one day whilst visiting her friend atop Mount Crumpit. "How did you and Martha first meet?"

The Grinch, smiling and chuckling at the memory of that special moment in class years ago, turned towards the girl and said in the simplest yet most humorous way possible,

"I farted."

And the rest was history.