Emma & Malcom Peabody

Chapter 2: Emma the nerd; Malcom the trouble-maker

8 Years have passed. Now the twins are 8 years old, and like any kid from their age, they're defining their personalities. Even though those aren't the way their parents want...

8 YEARS LATER

Sherman was really worried. The Malcom and Emma's teacher has called him and told him something really horrible happened at school. So, he was walking to the principal's office. And, as it was usual, he started to imagine the worst situations. Perhaps a partner bullied them, maybe some of them was hurt, and what if someone has kidnapped them?

He tried to relax himself. Oh, god, he was starting to think like Mr. Peabody.

-What happened, Mrs. Lucille?-he asked opening the principal's door

Malcom was sat down in one of the office's chair and looked at his father completely scared.

-Thank you for coming, Mr. Peabody-

-Yeah, well... has something happened to Emma?-he asked knowing that Malcom was already in trouble

The kid looked down angrily. Sure, he comes and sees him sat down in the principal's office and, instead of asking something like: what happened to Malcom? Or is anything alright with my son? Or what have you done, Malcom?! He asked only one single thing: Has something happened to Emma?

"I don't know why I even surprise... she's the favorite" he thought giving up on his father one more time.

-Emma?–asked Mrs. Lucille with a smile.-No, no, she's an excellent student... at least ONE of your kids is it-she said looking at Malcom

"Great! Now even the witch is with Emma" he thought again.

-What do you... mean?-he asked giving a killer look to his son

Malcom looked down, looking for a kind of black hole to take him away. But, unfortunately, there was no way out of that situation. He hid his report card... His notes weren't really good.

He only had hope in one thing: perhaps the witch won't tell his father about the report card.

-Well, you know I really appreciate you and your father, Mr. Peabody, but I must say that Malcom is one of the worst students of his grade-

-What? But he said...-

-Haven't you read his report card?-

-Mmm... No-

"Witch, monster, daughter of a boxtroll, no... Wait boxtrolls are good creatures" the kid thought again.

The woman jumped from her desk.-I knew you did something to your report card-

-Malcom said that you didn't give it to him yet-tried to say Sherman

-Don't you see, Mr. Peabody? He lied... as usually-

-Well, am I here because of his lost report card?-

-No, no, we're here because... Well, why don't you tell your father what you've done, Malcom?-she asked with a really big smile. She was obviously enjoying that situation.

He stood up, ready to face what he has done.-Mrs. Lucille is 100% convinced that I hid her favorite painting-

-But you didn't, right?-asked Sherman

-Of course not! She has something against me!-

-Sure, sure, Malcom...-said the woman turning her computer on.-But you must know that I...-she clicked some stuff on her computer.-I have a camera on my office-she said

Malcom opened his eyes like two dishes. He was dead.

She showed the video to them... but it was only a video of a cat playing a piano.-What?!-She asked shocked.-I swear it was here... and it was you in the video!-

-But you don't have any proof in that case, ain't I right?-asked Sherman

-Well... I...-she looked down and gave up.-I don't-

-Good, can I take my son home now?-

-Please do it... I don't want to see that little rat over now-

-Come along, Malcom-he said pointing the door

Once they walked out, Sherman looked at him really angry.-Can you explain me why you hid her painting?-

-WHAT?-

-I know you did it, Mal... Now give me a good reason and perhaps you won't be grounded for a month-

-I didn't do it!-he exclaimed angrily, his father didn't believe on him! And even though he did it... his father didn't give him even the opportunity to make an excuse.-And even though I'll tell you, you'll ground me for three weeks, Peabody-he said looking to the other side

-Have you got any idea of what I had to interrupt because of this?-

-Mmm... Let me guess, your job?-

-Ha ha, really funny, Malcom! I was in a really important meeting! Presenting the new floating skateboard-

-Hey, I haven't called you!-the kid suddenly stared at him.-Have you said "floating skateboard"?-he said with a big smile

-Yes, I've been working on it for a while…-

-And why haven't you told me about it?-

-Because you CAN'T use it, Malcom-

-What? Why not?-

-Because I've been working for two years on it and if you break it, I won't be patient anymore-

Malcom laughed.-Patient? All this time you have been "patient"?-

-Of course I am it, this is the third time you're in the principal's office!-

-SHE HAS SOMETHING AGAINST ME!-

-Who wouldn't have it if you do the things that you do?-

The kid looked down. His father wouldn't change the way he was, and he wouldn't change the way he thinks of him.-I don't know why I even try it-he finally said

-And that's how the photosynthesis works-finished Emma pointing her photosynthesis poster that was on the classroom's board

-Excellent job, Emma-congratulated the teacher.-You got an A++-

She smiled and nodded her head.-Thank you very much-she said before going to her desk

-Now, who's next? Liam?-said the woman pointing a kid on the back part of the classroom

Emma tried not to look interested on him… But she just couldn't resist it. He was plenty good looking, with beautiful blue eyes and dark hair. Every girl in the classroom had a crush on him, and she didn't like being like those girls. She didn't like make-up or fashion, or teen stars. She was too smart for being a girl who only cares about what she wears.

In the moment in which he passed by her side, he looked at her and smiled… With that beautiful, white smile….

Emma looked to another side, trying not to get lose in his deep eyes.

-What are you going to talk about?-asked the teacher

-Well, I want to talk about some species which are in danger of being extinct-

-Like nerds?-asked one girl pointing Emma making everyone else laugh

Emma just tried to ignore her. But it was really hard.

-No, nerds aren't an animal species, she's an alien-said other one

-When will you come back to your planet?-asked the first one

-Class!-exclaimed the teacher.-Stop now-

-Yeah, moreover, she's cool-added Liam making Emma blush and all the other girls look at her angrily. They all hated her, but not because of what Emma thought (I mean, because she's a nerd). They hated her because she was smart, beauty and talented, and Liam seemed to like her.

-Of course she's cool, we're watching an alien alive-said another girl

-Excuse me?-said Sherman getting into the classroom with Malcom behind him

-Good morning, Mr. Peabody-

-I was wondering if I could take Emma home earlier… because of…-he looked at Malcom again.-Well, I can't come back later-

-Oh, sure, Emma, take your stuff-and the girl did just what she said

-Malcom?-asked another kid behind him.-So? What happened?-he whispered

-Don't worry, John, the witch almost caught me up, but she didn't-

-Wow! I'll tell the rest of the guys, you're awesome… But do you think your father will let you go to tonight's party?-

Malcom looked down.-One fight at a time…-

-Ok, bro, and see you later-he said walking away

-I'm ready, dad-said Emma with some books on her arms

-Alright, let's go-

-Bye, Malcom…-said many girls smiling at him

-Bye, Jessica, Liz, Sarah…-Sherman took him by the hand and pulled him out of the classroom

-Now, you're really grounded, young man-said Sherman arguing with Malcom on his son's bedroom

-Oh, I haven't guessed so, Peabody!-Malcom answered sarcastic

-Stop calling me like that!-

-Stop being unfair with me!-

-Unfair?-The red-haired men laughed.-The only thing you do is searching for trouble!-

-The only thing you do is grounding me even though you don't have any due to do it!-

-Due? I'm your father!-

The kid turned around and sat on his bed.-Sometimes it seems as if you're not…-he said looking down at the floor with anger

Sherman sighed. Why was it so difficult to talk to him? He just couldn't understand him! He never imagined that talking to his son would be as hard! He had been someday a kid too! And he remembered how he felt when he was his age, but he still couldn't understand him.

Sherman walked away from his son's room and closed its door.

"I haven't guessed so, Peabody" were the only words on his mind. His son called him "Peabody" instead of "dad" every time he was angry with him. And that was really usual, so, Sherman almost couldn't remember how the word "dad" sounded with his son's voice. He didn't like calling his own father "Mr. Peabody" all the time. When he was a kid he really wanted to call his father "dad" and now, Malcom has the chance of calling him that way… and he doesn't do it. That's when he wondered to himself: was he a good father?

Malcom was lying on his bed and he decided to stand up and look himself on the mirror. He looked at his red hair, just like his father. His big brown eyes as his father too. He even had his face, nose, ears… He only didn't wear glasses. Perhaps that was the thing… but he really doubt that something like glasses make your personality. But Emma wore glasses and she was really smart. He wished being like her. Everyone in the family preferred her…

Then he looked at his white t-shirt with a black spider on it and his blue pants. He was really similar to his father, yeah… but only physically. He really couldn't understand him…

He lied on his bed again. He felt like a big mistake.

Suddenly, John sent him a message.

"So? Are you coming to the party?"

Malcom was really grounded and he knew his father would never let him go… If he could only use something like a car to get there as fast as his father wouldn't ground him…

That's when he remained: "floating skateboard".

He jumped from his bed and smiled at his plan.

Quietly, Malcom started to walk to his father's laboratory, where he had the floating skateboard. He did his best and no one even noticed him, just like he wanted. For the first time, they didn't notice him and he was glad because of it.

He opened the door and saw it: a beautiful black and violet skateboard was floating on his father's desk. At the beginning he was a bit scared. He has used many skateboards before, but never a floating one…

He went on the skate and started to try to move it. In a few minutes, and after a few falls, he had already learnt how to use it. Perhaps he wasn't as silly as he thought he was.

The first part of his plan was going on perfect, now he only needed to look for a way out… "Yes!" he thought when he saw an open window on the office.

-Wow! Yeah!-With a smile, he went out of the room and started to float over New York City, on his way to the party. He will make a really good entrance.

-You must try to talk to him-said Penny to her husband

-And I really try it but I just can't understand him!-Sherman answered walking to his office

-Sherman, no one said that being parent was going to be easy-

-Yeah, but no one said it was going to be as hard-he said noticing that his office's door was open.-Hey, have you got into my office?-

-Mmm… No-

He panicked and opened the door.-WHERE IS IT?-he screamed running side to side looking for something

-Where is what?-asked Penny confused

-My floating skateboard!-He shouted.-It was her…-he found a red hair instead of the skateboard.-MALCOM!-

Malcom hid the skateboard under a trash can and went to the party where all his friends were waiting for him.

-Mal! You came!-screamed John

-Of course, bro, I'll never leave you bored in here!-he laughed

-How come you came here? I thought your father will never let you come-

-Well…. He didn't-

-UH! You escaped?!-

-Yeah, I'm really rude-

-You're my hero, man!-

-You should look for a better hero-said someone behind him

Malcom turned around and face someone he really didn't want to see: Emma.

-What are you doing here?-he asked.-You're never invited to these parties-

-No, I am not…. But I know they exist…-

-What do you mean?-

-You're grounded! And you shouldn't be here! How have you escaped?-

-I'll never tell you!-he exclaimed.-Go away!-

-You'll better tell me…-

-Or what?-

-Or you'll better explain me-said Sherman behind him

The red-haired kid turned around.-Dad?-he asked confused

Well the years start coming and they don't stop coming

Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running

Didn't make sense not to live for fun

Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb