Part IV: I Start a Revolt

I sat in front of that huge brick wall, thinking. I had a spray pain can firmly in my dominant hand. Absently, I shook it, listening to the liquid bounce around within. This wall was my canvas. It was perfect, large enough not to be ignored, and right in the center of town so everyone would see it.

But, how to word what I wanted to say? I switched the way I'd crossed my legs, placing left over right now, and lent my chin to the palm of my other hand. You wouldn't know it, but I was deep in thought, the rattling of the paint ringing in my ears. I had to do all I could to make noise. This place was too quiet for me.

Several people were already looking my way quizzically, but no one bothered to disturb me. I wondered if I looked like someone you didn't want to talk to, but thought better of it. These people were too scared to stand up for themselves. This was why I was here, right?

As my mind wandered, it pulled up the lyrics to a song I'd memorized as soon as the single was out on the shelves at the local music store. They were catchy, and about rebellion, oddly enough. Before I could register my actions, I'd rolled to my feet and started spraying the pain on my canvas in large, bold letters.

Regroup and Rebel.

I finished the "l" in "rebel", and stepped back to admire my handiwork. My penmanship was not worthy of an "A" plus, but it sufficed for when I needed it. Just to make sure I was understood, I tacked on the same words in two other languages I knew were universal planet-wide. Another product of my vast knowledge.

If people had been curious before, now they were intently focused on the words I'd written. A little girl tugged her mother's skirt and pointed the three words out excitedly. "Regroup and rebel!" She read with an ease that didn't match her age. "Regroup and rebel!"

It was obvious she didn't know the meanings of the words because her mother lifted her into her arms and gave her a lollipop which shut her up. But, the older girl that was with them, about my age, maybe a year or two younger, was studying them as if trying to decipher code. She smiled; it was obvious she got my message.

Other teens were starting to gather about the sign. I drifted away, blending into the crowd as only I could. I saw many of the teenagers open phones and pagers, fingers rapidly moving over the keypads. I hadn't expected people my age to take such an interest, but I would take whatever I could get.

I'd been humming, admiring my work, when a tap on my shoulder made me jump. My heart flew into my throat as I turned, ready to run or fight as situation demanded.

Neither was needed. I recognized the girl who'd smiled at my words. "Hi." She grinned, a half-human. Her ears wiggled under her light brown ponytail.

My heart crawled down into my chest, where it beat hotly. She was so beautiful in person. "Hi," I breathed.

"So, you aren't afraid of being shot?"

"Huh?" I was confused now. She'd lost me, especially because her eyes had me preoccupied.

"The sign," she gestured to the wall, where the teens were texting their friends.

"Oh! Yeah, it doesn't bother me." I stretched my hand offhandedly over my head. "They can't catch me, anyway."

She giggled, her bright purple eyes closing. I felt myself grow hot. I hadn't felt this way in a long time. "Hey, so what's your name?"

"Sonic." I answered, trying to kill my heart's passionate beating.

"Mine's Fiona. But, you can call me Fi." She held out her hand and I took it. "Do you have a place to crash?" She asked after we'd placed our hands at our sides again.

I shook my head.

"Oh. Well, you can stay at my place, if you want." A small smile scrunched up her face. It was so cute! I could see a little pink nose twitching under the ring of rounded, silver glasses. I guessed she was part hamster, though I saw no small tail.

"Are you sure it's okay with your mom?" I asked, kicking up some dust absently.

"Sure. She's been bugging me to get some boy friends anyway," Her arms crossed over her chest.

I felt a smile cross my face. Boy friend. Boyfriend. "Okay," I answered at last.

"Cool. My house is the forth one after the moon clock on the left." Fi leaned forward and pecked me on the cheek. "I'll see you later, Sonic!"

My hand pressed over the kiss, as if to seal it into my skin forever. I'd started a rebellion, found a place to crash, and made friends with a cute girl, all in what I guessed to be a single day. Wow.

I wondered if they kept world records for stuff like that, and thought that surely no one in the world could beat my record!