Disclaimer- I don't own WordGirl, but I bet you can find who does.
Becky felt like she was seated on pins and needles as she waited for her class to start. She decided to get to class early. The last thing she needed was to arrive late with no homework.
Becky could never remember a time when she was so nervous in school. As the bell rang she almost jumped out of her skin. This was going to be the end of her straight A career. Becky felt the honor roll slip through her fingers as her fellow classmates, projects in hand, entered the room. Oh the shame!
A few more students entered the room. Becky swallowed hard at the thought that it might be Violet. She didn't understand why, but she had felt so guilty under Violet's gaze earlier. The lies she had been telling were now driving Becky to fear the presence of her friend.
But Becky's desires could not hold Violet off. Violet came through the door and her eyes immediately fell on Becky. The girl at her desk had turned away from the door and showed no want of speaking with Violet.
So Violet just took her seat. She set her project on her desk; a shinny book with her family story written inside. Violet stared at the cover of the book that she had spent so much time on. It was intricately decorated with a bunch of stickers Becky had given her awhile ago. Pretty stars that Violet wouldn't get a chance to show Becky had been put to good use.
The late bell rang out as the teacher rose from the back desk.
"Good morning class," the teacher greeted. "I'd like to start today by having each of you share a page from your family books."
The class groaned.
Becky cringed at the thought of having to announce to her class that she couldn't share her project because she didn't do it. Every time the teacher called on another student to speak, Becky would twitch at the possibility that she would be next.
Finally her name was called.
"Becky it's your turn to share with the class."
Becky didn't respond immediately. What could she say?
Violet peered over at her friend.
"I, I don't have my project." Becky lowered her head in disgrace.
"Do you mean you forgot it at home?" the teacher seemed unable to believe the words just spoken.
"No," Becky sighed. "I didn't do the project."
The whole class seemed to gasp. No one in the room could believe Becky had failed to do a homework assignment. Not even Violet could fully believe what she just heard and she already knew.
"Oh," the teacher finally spoke. "Becky, I'd like to speak with you during recess today."
Becky couldn't think of a time when she was more embarrassed.
"Teacher!"
Becky looked up to notice Tobey raising his hand.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to announce that I too have neglected to do this project."
"Why am I not surprised?" the teacher's sarcasm was dry. "Then I suppose it is only fair that you stay during recess as well Mr. MacCallister."
"Thank you, thank you very much."
Becky dropped her head to her desk. Why? Why did life so strongly dislike her?
"Well if no one else would like to confess?" the teacher glared around the room. "Violet would you please share your book."
Violet rose from her seat and made her way to the front of the class.
"I, I . . ." Violet paused and took a deep breath.
She stared hard at the page she had selected to share. It didn't seem as wonderful as when she was making it. Violet had put so much effort into her book; now it hardly seemed worth it. Becky was still avoiding eye contact with her and Violet suddenly felt her project was inadequate.
"My Family . . ." Violet stopped again.
"No need to be shy Violet." the teacher gently spoke, never knowing Violet to be so timid when sharing her art.
Violet looked over the page again. She then rested her eyes on the profile of her best friend. It was then Violet had an idea. She thumbed through the pages to the last segment of her book.
"Throughout this book I have shared the stories of my family and the wonders of our love, but my family is not just the people I come home to after school or on holidays. My family is the people I trust the most with my love." Violet smiled.
This statement had caught Becky's attention and her crestfallen heart.
"My church, my friends, the familiar faces, the smiling faces, the hurt that took the time to help me, and WordGirl." Violet added the next line as she gazed at her friend. "Who lays down her life to protect the ones I trust. My family is this city and everyone who dares call themselves a citizen of it. Thank you."
It was a small segment, but somehow, Violet felt better.
"Miss. Heaslip that was beautiful." the teacher sniffed before calling on the next student.
For a moment Becky sat, unable to understand what it was she had just heard. But then she realized what those words had meant to her.
Lately she had been very standoffish to her friend. WordGirl's dramas had consumed so much of Becky's time that she was missing out on the people she loved.
Becky sighed and lowered her head once more.
She was going to miss her family that month and she was going to forfeit a lot of memories in order to protect the city. And Violet was going to be gone next week.
Trust.
Violet had used the cutting word "trust." Right now, Becky didn't feel very trustworthy. She had been lying nonstop since she had become a super hero. She had kept her identity a secret for so long that lying to her friends and family was almost habit to her.
But what about Scoops? Had she not been doing the superhero thing . . . who was she kidding? He never would have been in trouble if it wasn't for her. Many of the people she cared about were put in danger because of her. And now there was a new threat. Someone had tried to seriously hurt her and they didn't seem to mind hurting others in the process.
"We'll beating myself up won't help." Becky whispered to herself as she raised her head. "I need to find whoever did that, save my city. . . and apologize to the ones I love."
Becky wore a weak smile when the recess bell rang. Even though she would have to sit through yet another lecture, she could finally get a chance to talk to Violet.
Becky went to Violet's desk and stopped her best friend from leaving.
"Violet?"
Violet smiled warmly without any doubt.
"I'm sorry I've been so busy lately." Becky began rubbing her hands together.
"It's okay Becky."
"No its not, I want to make it up to you this weekend."
Violet's eyes brightened as Becky continued.
"How about Saturday night I come over to watch the Pretty Princess Power Hour at your house." Becky knew it was rude to invite yourself over, but she couldn't risk Violet speaking with her mother. "I'll bring snacks and my limited edition collector's Pretty Princesses show cards."
Gasp!
"But you've worked so hard to keep those in such good condition; I'd hate it if something happened to them when you brought them over."
To be honest, Becky never really had time to enjoy them, since every time a new episode aired a villain would cause mischief.
"Don't worry, you're worth it Violet."
With that Violet gave Becky the biggest hug she could muster.
"You're my very best friend Becky."
"And you're mine Violet."
"Miss. Botsford?" the teacher called impatiently tapping a foot on the ground.
Becky released Violet and let her go. Becky knew she was risking a lot in promising to visit Violet when there were so many crimes that could happen Saturday, but it would be worth it. The city would be fine for just one hour. No matter what, she was going to spend that time with Violet.
Becky sat next to Tobey in the front row of desks. She better brace herself, the instructor looked ready to deliver a sermon.
"Do you two understand how much this project was worth?"
Becky's guilt caused her to divert her attention. Tobey, on the other hand, wasn't disturbed at all.
"I expected so much more out of you two."
"I already told you Monday I'm not wasting my time on such a ridiculous project." Tobey crossed his arms and glared through his glasses.
"Tobey, just because you don't feel like doing your homework doesn't mean you have an excuse not to do it." The teacher positioned himself in front of the desk Tobey sat at. "I told you that, like it or not, you're doing this project, and right now you're getting a zero; I don't think you're mother will approve."
Upon the teacher's last words Tobey's anger reached its peak.
"I think you're going to reconsider that grade," Tobey pulled his remote from his pocket and held a steady finger over the large red button. "Or I'm sure my robots can help you do the math."
Tobey laughed menacingly at his intended joke. Becky just tensed up as she worked out a route of escape so she could safely transform into WordGirl. Maybe when the robot arrived they'd both be so distracted that she could just slip out.
Swiftly there came a bright flash followed by a loud boom.
Outside a large storm had begun, flooding the ground with rain as well as Tobey's hopes of a robot attack. Becky eased back into her chair.
"I'm sure your mother will enjoy hearing about your threat as well."
"This isn't fair."
The teacher left Tobey to his sulking and stood before Becky.
"And what's your excuse young lady."
"I don't have one."
Both the teacher and Tobey stared at Becky.
"I didn't do the work so I deserve the zero."
No child ever accepted their failure. There was always some kind of animal involved or the child's ninth grandmother had died. . . Did Becky just say she deserved the zero?
"Well, then Miss. Botsford," the teacher was at a loss. "Are you okay with that?"
"No, but I didn't do the work so I really don't have a choice." Becky shrugged.
It wasn't like she skipped homework assignments all the time, so missing one wouldn't bring her 'A' in English down; it just wouldn't be as high. No big deal.
At least she knew her grade would be higher than the cheese levels of the city after letting Two-Brains go.
Becky smiled, another gesture that confused her teacher, at the thought of the mousy villain. She owed so much to that maniac, more than just his temporary freedom; he knew CPR.
"Miss. Botsford?"
Becky looked up at her teacher.
"Because of your honesty, how about I give you another assignment to make this up?"
"Really?!" Becky couldn't contain her excitement. This was such an awesome big deal; she could keep her high A!
"Now I can't give you all the points because you still forgot to do your project."
"That's okay, some points are better than none."
Tobey frowned.
"How come I don't get an alternate assignment?"
"Something tells me you wouldn't do it anyway Tobey." The teacher responded coldly before addressing Becky on what to do to make up her work. "Make a poster of your family tree. Include pictures and biographies of your family members. Go back as far as you can. Oh, and Tobey you may do the assignment as well."
The teacher waved the two outside the class for the remainder of their recess.
Becky smiled and jumped for joy outside the class as Tobey stood rather dejectedly.
"I can't believe I'm getting a second chance! Hurray!"
"Yes," Tobey was agitated by the joyous display. "Huzzah."
"Why are you so upset?" Becky stopped jumping. "We're getting a chance to make up our grade."
"Maybe I don't want to make up my grade." Tobey crossed his arms.
"So you're happy with a zero?" Becky couldn't help being put off by his statement.
"I didn't say I 'enjoyed' getting a zero, I said I didn't wish to do anything about it."
"But why not Tobey?"
"I don't want to do this project."
"What? Is it too hard for you?" Becky couldn't help but mock him a bit. "I can build fifty-foot robots but I can't glue pictures to paper."
Becky could see that Tobey was offended by what she just said, maybe even . . . hurt.
Tobey turned away from Becky and started down the hall calling back to her as he went.
"Forget the ice-cream, later."
Becky suddenly felt really, really bad. Here was her chance to slip out of this date thing and now she was feeling bad.
Why was he acting like that?
The project wasn't hard. All they had to do was glue pictures of their family to paper, write about them a little . . . but a broken family wouldn't make for a very interesting project.
"Tobey wait!"
Becky ran to catch up with the boy. She placed a hand on his shoulder when she was near enough to him. He stopped but pulled away from her grip.
"Tobey I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"Whatever," Tobey didn't face her. "I don't care."
"Yes you do," Becky protested grabbing Tobey and forcing him to turn around.
She was surprised by what she was confronted with.
Tears. Not flowing ones, but Tobey's eyes were wet. Had what she said really affected him that much?
Tobey looked away. He never made an attempt to clear his vision for he knew that would only cause the tears to run down his face, but he held his composure and made sure to appear angry.
"I'm sorry," Becky repeated as she released Tobey and also diverted her eyes. "I forgot you don't have a, a dad."
Those words felt so strange coming out of her mouth.
Pause.
"I don't need your sympathy. I don't feel like doing this project is all." Tobey finally blinked back the tears. "Now, if you don't mind . . ."
Tobey turned to go but was stopped by Becky's next words.
"I'm adopted."
Why had she said that?
Becky didn't know what she had said until it came flying out of her mouth. She wanted to make-up for hurting Tobey's feelings, but why did she say that. It seemed so out of place. And why did she care about Tobey's feelings?
"I don't really know my dad either," Becky spoke softly as she slowly understood the fears of her parents. "Actually I don't know my mother either, or if I'm really suppose to be here."
Tobey twisted around to Becky to watch her. She seemed to be having a hard time sharing this bit of information.
"I like to think my parents loved me very much and that maybe I'm living here because it's the best thing for everyone, but I can't be sure of that. And neither can my parents, I mean the Botsfords. I'm really lucky to have them as my parents because they love me so much."
She had never thought about her biological parents like this before. It never seemed like a thing she needed to explore within herself.
She was a Botsford, always had been. But looking at Tobey now, she realized how much the Botsfords had meant to her. A million light-years away were two people who had decided, for whatever reason, that they didn't want her, but the Botsfords did. They had taken her in like their real daughter and loved her just as much as they had their real son.
"You know what Tobey," Becky started to laugh off her statements. "I don't know what I'm talking about. Let's just go to recess and forget any of this. . ."
"Do you ever wonder if they left you because you weren't good enough?"
Silence.
"No, I'm sure my parents would have thought Word- wordy old me would have been good enough . . . Just like I'm certain your dad would love how smart you are." Not a very good save, but it didn't appear Tobey even noticed.
"I'm doing fine without my father, but . . ."
"But?"
"It wouldn't look so good to have a tree with a bunch of empty branches." Tobey laughed halfheartedly.
"Well at least you have one branch of your real family."
The two stood motionlessly in the empty hall for a moment. Neither spoke or made eye contact with the other. Both had a plethora of questions running through their heads and an overabundance of possible answers.
Becky broke the silence.
"I wonder if my parents did get rid of me because I wasn't good enough."
Tobey looked over with a considerate expression on his face.
"Maybe I was a burden to them. They just wanted a normal baby girl . . . and I'm just, difficult."
At this Tobey started to laugh. Becky was taken by surprise by his outburst. Usually people didn't laugh at the pain of others . . . then again, this was Tobey.
"Difficult," Tobey finally managed to choke out of his laughter. "Little Miss. Goody-Two-Shoes is worried that she would have been difficult to raise. My mother would love a daughter like you."
Becky shook her head.
"I think your mom loves you too much to trade you now."
"Trust me. Mother would love to swap me out for someone as amiable as you."
"Amiable?" Puzzlement painted across her face, Becky stared at Tobey.
Amiable wasn't the word he wanted to use. 'Good' or 'kind' might have served him better.
"Well, you know what I mean."
"That you think I'm pleasant and wonderful and ergo worthy of the affections of your mother."
Tobey blushed lightly upon this statement. He really hadn't meant to call Becky "amiable."
"No, you're not destructive is what I mean." Tobey grimaced at Becky's chuckles. "If you don't stop that laughter I'll have your house trampled by ten robots!"
"What? In the pouring rain?" Becky continued to laugh at Tobey's embarrassment as the two went about the rest of recess.
(A/N) Please R&R. Happy Labor Day and pray for the victims of 9/11.