»Part Nine: Provoked «

"Isn't this her job?" Ed whined as we walked back down the hall. He was talking about carrying the equipment—little kid toys—to the gym. Our class took the preschoolers there for free-time whenever they came.

"Sorry, she usually does it herself," I giggled, glancing over my shoulder at Ed as he struggled to balance all of the play-stuff. "I thought you liked carrying the balls, Cashel?" I asked.

"No--" she broke off again quickly. I knew this wasn't the truth; Cashel liked to carry that stuff so much that sometimes she would fight with the other kids just so she could do it herself. I didn't bother asking why today was different. Instead, I looked over my shoulder again and shrugged at Ed.

"Guess not!" I giggled again as I was led off down the hall by Cashel. Ed groaned and continued to lug the stuff behind him, barely catching up to us.

I rounded the corner and pushed open the double doors as I reached them, revealing to Cashel—and Ed—the rubber gym. We were the last people into the gym; and of course, Ed was carrying the equipment. He realized this a bit late.

"Huh?" Ed turned to see almost every preschooler running at him like hungry lions to an injured zebra. "AH! N-no, wait--!" He held out a hand as if to stop them from charging. The panic hit him—along with about every preschooler in the gym—and he fell to the floor on his back.

"Are you okay?" I asked, trying not to laugh as the kids piled off him.

"Just... peachy...!" Ed was still lying on the floor, dazed.

Cashel picked up her favorite Snow White ball that had fallen on the floor when Ed was tackled. She had a plastic yellow bat under her arm.

"Crazy kids," Ed muttered as he sat up and rubbed the back of his head.

"Here," I half-giggled, "Lemme help you,"

"Thanks," He said, taking hold of my outstretched hand as I pulled him up.

"Hello," someone said from behind me. It was Mrs. Waters. I guess she hadn't noticed Ed until he was mauled by the preschoolers. She looked at me, waiting for an introduction.

"Oh, uh..." I was always shy when it came to Child Development. Heck, I was always shy period. Mrs. Waters was much aware of that, she sometimes called me 'wallflower' when I failed to participate. I turned to my 'cousin,' "This is..."

"Ed," he said calmly, offering his left hand to the teacher.

"Hi," she replied, sounding like a regular mother being introduced to a friend's parent. She shook his hand in turn. "I'm Mrs. Waters."

Cashel bounced her ball beside me.

"Oli, are you with Cashel today?" She asked. I nodded, the usual reply to any one of her questions. She turned back to Ed, "And... do you have somewhere to be?"

"He's with me," I spoke up before he could answer, "I mean, he's my cousin. He's been coming to all of my classes with me—"

"Okay!" Mrs. Waters sounded very pleased. "Is it just for today, or...?"

Ed and I looked at each other, then I faced Mrs. Waters. "We don't know how long he's staying," I said.

"Okay. That's fine."

I smiled and nodded as she walked away.

"You take the bat," Cashel ordered from beside me. I had sort of become unaware of her presence.

"Alright!" I piped as she handed me the plastic toy. This game of ball-and-bat was our usual Tuesday activity. I assumed Ed would follow us Cashel and I found a clear area to play in, but he just stood and watched. I gave a look of concern.

"That's okay," He waved, "I'll watch."

"Ed, come on," I whined, tilting my head, "That's exactly how I earned the nickname, 'wallflower.'"

He sighed and walked over to where we were standing. I knew he wasn't planning on getting involved, but at least he showed a hint of participation.

"I love your hair, Cashel," I told her. She was sitting on my lap as Ed and I sat on a giant blue jumping-mat. We were taking a break from the game.

"Thanks," she said, still very quickly and still not really paying attention.

"Isn't she adorable?" I smiled and turned to Ed, who was resting his chin in his left palm; his arm was held up from the elbow by his leg. He looked as if he were in deep though, but I knew he was just bored.

He saw me watching him, slightly disappointed. "What!" He spat.

I frowned and made a 'you know what I'm talking about' face.

Ed gave a hefty, annoyed sigh and went back to watching the rest of the out-of-control class. His lookout was quickly interrupted when he caught sight of me whispering something into Cashel's ear. I half hoped he that he would.

"What?" Ed took his head off of his palm, asking me to repeat myself as if I were talking to him. I just looked at him and giggled.

"Go ahead!" I whispered to Cashel. I was making sure that Ed could hear as well. He glanced over at her in curiosity.

Cashel was looking the other way--downward, almost—but she obeyed, opening her mouth to speak, "You're short."

"WHAT!" Ed's temper exploded once again. He looked to me, probably wondering if I was aware of the event taking place. It was then that he noticed my hand was covering my mouth, failing horribly to hide my laughter.

His rage quickly shifted from Cashel to me. "YOU TOLD HER TO SAY THAT, DIDN'T YOU?"

"Smile!" I snickered, still covering my mouth, "She's watching!"

He turned to Cashel, clenching his teeth together in an attempt to force a smile. The enraged look melted from his face for a second, but not before he had time to snap at me under his breath, "You're dead!"

I made a jerky face and stood up, helping Cashel down from the mat as well. Everyone was starting to leave the gym. Luckily, Cashel was back in the mood for carrying the equipment.

"I mean it," Ed scowled for the last time as we returned to the classroom.

"What'cha gonna do," I teased, "Kill me?"

He shot me a dirty look. It didn't last long, though; his normal expression returned as he watched Cashel run into the open arms of her mother. A hint of nervousness in his character made me wonder if he might be thinking of his own mother, so I took him by the wrist again and led him into the cafeteria; this being the second time that his sour mood had ended without a trace.