A/N: Thank you to everyone who is giving this a chance. It's a bit of set up, I know, but getting to know our girl is only the beginning. We have some good things ahead that I think you'll enjoy. I know I do. Thanks again to Ellie without who this would never be possible.

By the way, we fancasted Tammy as Elisabeth Shue. If you want to know who we cast as her parents, let me know. :)

Chapter Two

I made my way back into the school once I was presentable enough, according to Robin. I ignored the whispers that followed me and headed straight for English. The teacher was sitting behind her desk when I got there.

"Excuse me, Ms." I said as I stood in the doorway.

"Ms. Thompson, I didn't expect to see you." She leaned back in her chair and waited for my response. She looked a little resigned and I wondered how many kids came up to her with excuses.

"I wanted to come and apologize. I interrupted your class twice, both coming in and running out. I'm sorry about that. I have no real excuse except that I suddenly felt sick. Either way, I could have handled it better and simply asked to be excused."

The woman stared at me for a moment before nodding. "Thank you for that. Are you feeling better?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it was just…" I thought of what to say. A version of the truth would likely be my best bet, but I wasn't sure how they'd take a panic attack. I had a feeling though that if I said I was going to throw up someone would suggest I was pregnant. I was pretty sure Tammy wasn't. Oh god, I hoped not. "I had a panic attack," I finally said. "I was sick and I've been trying to get ready because of course, one year til Nashville! And there's so much to do! I don't know if I'm ready yet but I am. It's just...I don't even know." I stopped myself from the sudden tangent I went on. I figured if Tammy was that passionate about Nashville, people would know.

"As long as you're okay," she finally said. She looked a little overwhelmed, though I wasn't sure if it was my admittance of a panic attack or the slight verbal diarrhea.

"Yes. I am. At least, I think so."

"Best get on to your next class then."

"Right!" I smiled at the teacher and waved as I left. "Thank you!"

The rest of the day was thankfully far more uneventful. There were a few rumours but no one had outright said anything to me about running out of class so I ignored it for the most part. It seemed pretty pointless but I supposed in a small town like this, drama was the only real form of entertainment. Especially since there was no internet.

I was bored. I had learned most of this stuff already. I knew more of it than the kids here, not including history or social studies. I could barely remember my Canadian history, despite having taken a course in it. I didn't know how long I was going to be here. I needed to find my way back, but since Tammy was required to be in school, there had to be some way of making it at least more interesting or I was going to be falling asleep.

I made my way back to the office at the end of the day. It was still technically the first week of school and if any changes were to be made, now would be the time. I just needed a reason. One that Tammy would justify.

I waited until the secretary noticed me. It was the same one from this morning.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Yes, I just had a quick question. I was wondering if it was at all possible to get a list of the classes available. I'm thinking of changing up my schedule to something aligning more with my goals. I just want to know what's available and what the requirements are for taking it." The woman stared at me as if she couldn't figure me out. It was becoming a recurring thing but I didn't think I was doing anything strange. "I know it's the end of the day, and I'm sorry for springing this on you. I can come back tomorrow morning if that's better?"

"You're aware that some courses are mandatory?" she finally said.

I nodded. "Yes. I was hoping, if at all possible, to see if there was an independent study for some of them, that I could test out of on my own. If not then I'll focus on reorganizing my electives." I wasn't sure how many electives these kids got, but there had to be some.

"It's never been done before," she warned. "Not here."

"That's fine. Can't grow without a challenge."

She smiled at me slowly like she was amused by my answer. "Okay." She moved around the office, pulling out papers from different areas and filing cabinets. She explained them as she lay them out in front of me. "This is the list of classes available. It lists the electives and prerequisites you need for those classes, as well as your required courses. You will have to lobby your teachers in the required courses for independent study. If they refuse, then I cannot help you. You will have to get parental permission for changing your schedule and for certain classes, for instance if you decide to attempt shop class. You will also need your teacher's permission in the classes you want to transfer into because the school year has already started. The forms needed are here. Fill them out, get the signatures and then we can see about moving you around."

I smiled widely. It was a lot of work, but if it kept me from being bored, it would be worth it. Until I found a way home, I was stuck here. I might as well learn something new. "Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome." She then added a small booklet on to the pile of papers. "I have a feeling you'll need this too."

I looked at the cover. Rules and Regulations. Hawkins High School 1982. That might actually come in handy. I suspected that the 80s wasn't as progressive as I was used to. I might have to fight my way into my schedule. You can't bend the rules without knowing them first.

"Thank you. I really appreciate this."

She nodded at me. "Come back when you've finished the forms."

"I will."

"Good. Now go home." I laughed at the dismissal before I left with a wave goodbye.

Tammy's mother was waiting for me outside the school. It took me a moment to recognize the car and I was helped by her mother honking the horn and waving at me.

"Are you alright? It looked like you didn't see me," her mother said.

"Sorry, I got a lot on my mind."

"Hmm? Like what?" her mother smiled at me. "A boy?"

"No," I said. There likely wasn't going to be any boys while I was here. They all were so...young. "I'm thinking of changing my schedule. Take classes that will help me more. Expand my repertoire, so to speak."

"Your repertoire?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said, thinking quickly of a reason that Tammy would likely give. "If I'm going to be a star, I need to be prepared for anything, right? Give myself a leg up on the competition."

"If you say so, honey."

I suddenly felt sorry for Tammy. Her mother was a little dismissive of these dreams of hers. It seemed unlikely that a small town girl from Indiana would make it in Nashville, but Taylor Swift did, didn't she? Actually, I had no idea where she was from, but the point was that if she tried hard enough, anything should have been possible. No wonder she was so gung ho about leaving, especially if she was lacking support. Her friend at school didn't even come see if she was okay when I ran out. A person needed strong friendships, especially in high school which had the potential to be the worst time in people's lives. It likely didn't help that Tammy wasn't here. I was. I had to do my best for her so that when she got back, it wasn't a complete shit show for her.

When we got back to the house, I made an excuse of homework to go back to Tammy's bedroom. Her mother just told me that dinner was at six and to be there.

I closed the door and took a breath. I was finally alone. There was some freedom in not having to pretend to be Tammy, at least, not while I was alone. I didn't have to worry about anyone seeing me acting...like me. I walked to the desk and passed the full length mirror she had. The reflection was a stark reminder that I wasn't me, at least not to everyone else. I stared at the blond girl in the mirror. I needed to think, and I couldn't do that with Tammy staring at me. I grabbed the blanket of the bed and covered the mirror.

I took a scrunchie off of her desk and tied her hair back. I lay her diaries out in front of me and grabbed the paper with the courses, as well as the rules and regulations of the school. I needed to see my options and figure out a way that it would make sense why Tammy would take them. Her passion to be a star could likely work in my favour, provided that I explained it in the right way. First I had to pick my courses.

This schedule was insane. There were five slots I could fill a day. A day. Last time I was in school it was in University and I had maybe four a day and that was pushing it. How did these kids survive?

There were a few required courses. English. Math. Civics. Gym. Standard ones that you'd expect. It listed a statistics course as one of the math courses available. I had taken one before in university. I made a note to take it again. It'd be a lot easier than calculus and that would let me focus on more important things, like going home. The electives were far more interesting. For the electives, there were a few that stood out. Shop, for one which was no longer offered where I came from. Typing. There was a language course but I had barely passed the required french classes I had to take when I was in high school. There was no way I was going to subject Tammy and I to it. I added chemistry. I didn't know much about the science but Mythbusters had shown me the possibilities it had. Especially if I added shop class into the equation. I would be able to actually try some of the experiments myself. Maybe.

The only problem that I felt would occur was getting into the shop class. I had to get parental and teacher permission, and I had a feeling it was a male dominated class. Thankfully, and I wondered if the secretary expected this of me, I had been given the rule book. And from what I could gather...there was no specific rule banning me from the class. As long as I had permission.

The first challenge was Tammy's parents.

My first real look at both of them together was during dinner. They didn't look that much older than I was. Her father was greying slightly which worked for him, and spent much of the time complaining about men at his work. I was pretty sure he was where Tammy got her height from, and her hair. Maybe also her good looks. Both her mother and father were fairly attractive. Tammy got lucky in the genetic lottery. Her mother served everyone then spent most of the meal nodding and commenting on things her father said. Apparently she had spent the day grocery shopping and seeing friends.

"You're awfully quiet, Tammy. How was school?" her mother finally asked.

"Good," I said. "I just...I've had a lot on my mind and I think I figured out what I want to change my courses to. I just need your permission."

"Change your courses?" her dad looked at me. "To what?"

"Well, I'd keep English and History. I want to change Calculus to Statistics and change the electives. I was thinking of Chemistry, Typing and Shop?"

Both her parents were staring at me in surprise.

"Shop class?" her mother asked.

"Yeah," I said. I had come up with what I hoped was a reasonable explanation. "I figured that if I took shop, the knowledge of woodworking would help me create sets, which would help me get a foot in the door on my way to stardom. Having an understanding of the work that people put into creating things, especially if it's going to showcase me, will only help me in my future." I felt like Rachel Berry from Glee. "If I can create something, and learn how to do so, that can be my starting/stepping stone. If I work hard, I can make my way up from the bottom, right?"

"But honey, shop class is for boys. What about home ec?" I dug my thumb into my thigh and clenched my teeth together, trying not to react. I needed to be calm to get my point across.

"I've done home ec for years." Fuck. I had no idea if that was true or not. I had only really glanced at her homework assignments, enough to give me a sense of what kind of student Tammy was. I prayed I was right. "There is nothing in the school rules that say I can't take it. This is something that I feel will really help me. Don't you want me to be happy?" It was a low blow.

"Let her take it," Tammy's father said. "She wants to fight her way through there, let her try. But," and he looked at me very carefully, "if you go through with this, I expect you pass with flying colours."

I grinned at him. "I will."

I went to school early the next day. Tammy's father had signed off on my required forms and I spent a good part of the night trying to memorize the rule book. I had a feeling that my biggest block would come from the school itself.

The shop class was hidden at the back of the school. It was empty and I knocked on the door before calling out into the room. "Hello?"

"Hello!" A voice called back. A man who looked like he was in his late fifties stepped out of a room on the side. "Can I help you?"

"I hope so," I said. I stepped forward and held out my hand. "I'm Tammy Thompson."

He shook my hand and I could feel grease on his fingers. "Simon Caldwell. What can I do for you Miss. Thompson?"

"I'd like to take your class."

He looked surprised. "What?"

"I'd like to take your class," I repeated. "I'm aware that I haven't taken any before, but I figured now's the time. I need your permission though."

"You understand what we do here, right?"

"Yes. You work machines, you use tools and you build. That's what I want to learn."

He rubbed a hand on his face. "Are you sure? There ain't been a girl in this class...since I don't know when." That was unfortunate.

"If you let me in, I'm sure."

"The boys here won't like it, you realise that. You're likely to hear a lot of comments that won't be kind to you." He seemed like he was trying to warn me more than actively suggesting I take something else.

"Trust me, sir," I said. "I can handle it." Which I felt was true. I was used to sexist comments and remarks, but I was also from a time of calling people out on their problematic behaviour. They'd learn fast that I wouldn't put up with it. "As long as you don't mind if I deal with it on my own."

"Alright," he finally said. "I'll agree to it, but I have rules in my shop class. You follow them, you'll make it through. I won't have you coming to simply distract the boys, distractions get them hurt, so if you're here for a crush, I suggest you find a different way."

I scoffed. "Sir, if I wanted to attract a boy, I'd talk to him. I wouldn't take a class where we could chop off a finger for not paying attention. I want to learn."

"Alright then." He signed my paper.

"Good morning!" I called out to the secretary. She smiled as she saw me.

"Miss. Thompson. How did the paperwork go?"

"Better than expected, actually," I said. I handed over the filled out forms. "Everything is signed, by all the required people, except for the independent study ones. I haven't gotten a chance to run that by them yet. I'm hoping it'll be okay, but we'll see."

"Well, best of luck. Give me five minutes and I'll see what I can do for you in terms of your schedule."

"Thank you," I said, before I realised something. "I'm so sorry, for the life of me I can't seem to recall your name."

"Ms. Callahan," she said.

"Callahan," I repeated, trying to make it stick in memory. "Thank you Ms. Callahan. I really do appreciate it.

"This also has to be signed by the principal," she said suddenly. "They might not agree."

"I'm prepared for that," I said, nodding. I had seen that it needed their signature too.

"Wait one minute then."

Ms. Callahan walked over to the office at the side. She entered the office and I waited a few moments before she walked out followed by another woman.

"Miss. Thompson," the other woman called me. "I hear you want to change your schedule."

"Yes," I answered.

"Any particular reason why?"

"Well, I've been thinking a lot this summer. I need to start branching out, strengthening my weaknesses in other areas of show business. Like building sets."

"Indeed. You are aware that we haven't had many female students express an interest in shop class." It was a polite way of telling me the same thing the teacher told me.

"I am, and I am also aware that the rules and regulations of the school clearly state that no student shall be excluded from a class of their choosing due to their gender."

Her eyebrows raised. "You've done your homework."

"I want to be prepared." I was trying very hard not to call her ma'am, despite how polite it seemed. I hated when people called me it.

"Very well. I will agree to it on one condition," she said. "We start with a trial run. As long as there are no prevalent issues, you will be able to continue it. Am I understood?"

"Yes!" I grinned at her. "Thank you!"

She looked a little surprised, perhaps from my enthusiasm. "You're very welcome." She signed the papers and gave them back to Ms. Callahan who smiled at me.

When she was finished with rearranging my schedule, she handed the papers back to me and said two words: "Good luck."

The first class of the day was Statistics. It seemed to be a bit early for a math class but I had little choice in the matter. Not if I wanted to stick with it. Because I had gotten to school so early, I was the first one in the class, even after the hold up in the office. The teacher was at the board. He was another older man, who had a beard so long it looked like he'd be able to tuck it into his belt. I wondered briefly if he ever dressed up as Santa for the kids.

"Yes?" he asked once he caught sight of me.

"Good morning, sir," I said, trying to start the introduction right. If there as anything my job taught me, it was that first impressions were important. "I'm Tammy Thompson. I just got reassigned to your class."

"Forms?"

I handed over the paperwork.

"Why Statistics?" he asked.

"Everything uses statistics," I answered, remembering my first lecture in the course. "From businesses to research, and even just shopping, if you think about it."

"Alright," he said. "There are no assigned seats. There's no talking and if you have questions, raise your hand. I don't have time to catch you up so if you need help, ask one of your peers."

He sounded a lot like one of my high school math teachers. It was a little strange.

I nodded though. "Yes sir."

"Good. Sit down."

I had completely forgotten how creepy American schools were. The voices that I heard the other day as I walked down the hall was the students reciting the pledge of allegiance. It was the weirdest thing I had ever seen. I got through it by faking it mostly. It was hard to recite and promise something I didn't know or believe in. At most in Canada, we sang along to the national anthem each morning.

I got to lunch and stopped in the doorway. I had avoided this yesterday by sitting by myself and planning out how I was going to survive until I got home. Mostly that involved my plan to change my schedule.

I looked around the room slowly. Ally, and I was sure it was Ally this time, waved at me from across the room. I kept looking around though and I saw Robin sitting with a group of other people. I waved at Robin, saying hi as I walked by and sat with Ally. I couldn't change Tammy's life too suddenly and there had to be some reason why she was friends with Ally.

"Finally! Why weren't you in English?" Ally asked as I sat across from her. There was another girl next to her who I vaguely recognized from a group picture that Tammy had.

"I changed my schedule," I said. I unwrapped the sandwich that Tammy's mother had made for me. She had offered to give me money to buy lunch but that felt like a waste of money. Especially for cafeteria food.

"Oh my god," the other girl said. "Did you get out of English? Tell me how because I'm so over Ms. Marshall. Like, why are we already getting assignments? Just gag me with a spoon!"

That was quite the expression. "Probably because it's required and if you do multiple small assignments, you're less likely to have to do a major one at the end of the year."

The two girls just stared at me. "What?"

"It's all about grading, right? The more small marks you get, the less a major assignment is going to count for. As long as you do them, you'll have a decent grade at the end of the year. Seems like she's trying to help students out for their grades if they go to university."

"Did you really just say that?" Ally asked. "I can't even."

I frowned at her. It was way too similar to a phrase in my time, and the way she said it was kind of rude. "It's true, isn't it?"

"How should I know? I'm not a nerd."

"Being a nerd has nothing to do with it," I snapped back. I was getting tired of her tone. "It's common sense."

"Ugh!" Ally stood up and the other girl followed suit. "What is your damage? You were fine all summer and now it's like you turned into some freak."

"Because I disagreed with you?" I asked, totally confused. Did they not have actual discussions?

"Not even!" She turned to the other girl. "Let's go."

I watched them walk away, talking to each other. I was totally confused. So much for my damage control. What went wrong? I tried to be friendly but the fact that Ally couldn't handle someone giving their opinion and pointing something out, didn't state much for their friendship. This was the same girl who didn't even come after me when I ran out in a panic. I wasn't sure how serious Tammy was about their friendship, or if it was a mutually beneficial situation. Maybe they had just grown up together and stayed friends because they felt they should. If so, it didn't seem like something that would last. Maybe they weren't expecting it to if Tammy was going to actually go to Nashville.

I finished eating alone. It gave me an opportunity to observe the masses, so to speak. It also was a little bit of a relief. At least alone I didn't have to put so much work into pretending I was someone I was not.

The afternoon was mainly for shop class. I mentally tried to prepare myself for walking in there. It couldn't be worse than walking into a boardroom and making a presentation on a client.

The boys were seated in whatever seats were available around the room. They noticed me slowly as one by one they nudged each other and pointed me out. I walked in and sat down in the nearest available seat next to a boy with another unfortunate haircut.

"Hey Thompson, you lost?" One of the boys across the room called out.

"Nope," I said, putting my bag down and settling myself in. "Right where I want to be."

"Really? Maybe the right place would be right here, baby, on my lap." I saw the teacher behind him, eyebrows raised as he waited for my response. At least he was trusting me to take care of myself.

"If I wanted to be disappointed, sure." I looked over at the boy. "You want to screw around, be my guest, but you have hands, don't involve me." The other boys started laughing and I watched as this kid's face turned red.

"That's enough," Mr. Caldwell called out as he stepped into the room. "Boys, you've noticed we have someone new in our class. If any of you mess around because of it, I'll kick you out. Got it? I won't have people making dangerous mistakes because they can't take the fact that a girl is here."

The boys all replied in a variety of "yes, sir."

"That was impressive," a voice next to me said. I looked over at the boy I was sitting by. He gave me a smile. "Haven't heard a come back like that in awhile."

"Thanks?" I said, before turning to see that the teacher was showing the instructions on the board.

"You're welcome. I'm Jonathan, by the way."

"Tammy," I said. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. He was watching the teacher and his body language didn't seem to be angled towards me. Over all, he just seemed friendly.

"Nice to meet you," he said, before smiling at me and looking back at the teacher. Huh. It was nice to see that not all the guys here were assholes. At least, so far. It was still early.

The rest of the class was spent with the boys working on planning their individual projects for the year, and me learning the tools of the trade so to speak. Jonathan was helpful in a useful sort of way and offered me suggestions and tips on working some of the tools. He didn't make it weird or creepy like some guys did. He worked quietly. I appreciated it.

I started to get the hang of things by the time the class ended. I was given a week to figure out what I wanted to complete for my project. It had to be something impressive enough to get Tammy a good grade. Luckily Jonathan had offered his help if I asked for it and the teacher promised to answer any questions I had. All in all, it fared a lot better than I had expected, like most things so far, monsters not included.

I kept expecting something terrible to happen, but so far the most terrible thing that happened was the fact that I kept waking up in Tammy's body. I made it through the week with little problem. Aside from the few small rumours running around about Tammy. Apparently she was a bit of a slut for wanting to take a class that was mainly boys. I ignored it. It wasn't the worst that I had heard in my life, especially about me, and it didn't really matter. It wasn't about me. Least, it didn't feel like it, not when they weren't using my name.

It was finally Friday, and I was heading out of my final class for the day. I had plans to spend most of it alone, and possibly finding the library in the town. Since google wasn't a thing, I needed to go old school. Or, current school? It got very confusing at times.

I felt someone grab my arm as I headed for the doors. I looked to my side to see Robin holding my arm and guiding me away from them. She was silent the entire way. I was tempted to pull away but she looked concerned, and upset, and I felt I should repay the favour. She had, after all, come after me.

I waited until we had finally entered a room. I looked around. There were instruments in cages and music stands by chairs.

"Bounce!" she called out. There was a lone clarinet player in the room.

"I booked the room," the guy called out.

"Get out Keith!"

"What's going on?" I asked, turning to face her. She had her back against the door and she looked like she was thinking. She finally seemed to get her thoughts in order.

"What's going on with you?"

Fear struck through me. "What are you talking about?"

"Look, okay," she stepped towards me. "I've been watching you all week. I don't know what's going on but it's not you Tammy. You changed courses. You're covered in bruises that you keep touching while looking spaced. You haven't been singing in the halls, or in class, and you looked at Harrington and literally ran out of the room like something was on fire. Either he did something, or..."

"Who? Harrington?"

"Yes," she said. She looked so earnest that I was kind of touched. "If he hurt you, you need to tell someone."

I stared at her before I felt myself smiling. How often was it that girls did this for each other, in any time. "He didn't do anything," I said, smiling softly. "No one did." At least not the way she seemed to think.

"Then what is all this?" she asked. "What's happening to you?""I figured out my priorities!" I said. I couldn't help smiling. All the fear left me as she had kept talking. "I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you Robin. You came after me when I had a panic attack, and now you're worried that Steve Harrington hurt me? No one touched me. No one hurt me. I just spent a lot of time thinking this summer. Turns out I was busy trying to hit all the high notes when I'm not made for that. My voice is stronger in a lower range and I don't know about you, but if I'm going to hit Nashville after school, I have a lot of time to make up for. I wasted so much! And I'm so distracted and I keep running into things! I also realised I need to expand my skill set. So, shop class. I figure if I can learn to make things for sets, that will help me get started. Even if I start at the bottom."

"Are you...sure?" It was so sweet. I stared at this girl, who was so certain something was wrong that she went out of her way to check on me, to give me a safe space so I could talk.

"Robin, I am so sure." I felt a rush of affection for this girl. "I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this, even if it wasn't needed."

"Okay," she nodded and stepped back. "Okay. I'm sorry."

I stepped forward. "There is no need to be sorry. You saw a girl who seemed like she was in trouble and you tried to do something about it! How many people can say the same? The world needs more people like you, Robin."

She looked surprised and a little embarrassed. "No it doesn't."

"It really does. Trust me."

Robin and I left each other on good terms. And with plans to eat lunch together in the next week. I got into Tammy's mother's car in a better mood than I had been in all week.

"I have great news!" her mother said as I sat down.

"What's that?"

"Buster is back! In full health!"

I stared at her. Buster? Who the hell was Buster? The only thing I could think of was that it was a pet, after all, who named someone Buster? Then again, who named someone Tammy?

"Oh my god," I finally reacted. "Buster!"

"Yeah! The vet called today and said he's good to come home! He just has to wear a cone to keep him from licking his stitches."

Definitely a pet then. Hopefully it was a cat. It seemed easier to scoop up litter than pick up poop. Something suddenly occurred to me.

"Where's all his stuff?"

"In the wash, of course," she said. "Though, we set it all back up now that it's clean."

There seemed to be an answer for everything. I thought back to it. How did I not notice an animal in the house? The answer was obvious. I hadn't looked. I had spent the week hiding in Tammy's room anytime I was in the house.

We got to the house and I followed Tammy's mother inside. I heard the paws before I saw him. Her mother moved aside and I found myself staring at a large, older beagle with a cone around his neck. The dog stared at me. I watched as he sniffed the air before it suddenly looked like he was glaring at me. The beagle, Buster, turned and walked away.

Tammy's mother looked at me. "That's weird," she said. I looked at her quickly before she smiled. "Don't worry. The vet said he might not be his usual self while he heals. He'll be back to adoring you in no time."

Fuck.

The problem was going to be that Buster adored Tammy. I was not Tammy, not...really, and somehow the dog knew it. I stared at the dog as I ate dinner. He was ignoring me. He had ignored me since the moment we saw each other. Tammy's parents were laughing it off. Promising that he would go back to being the affectionate lug I apparently knew and loved. I wasn't so sure.

"So," I said softly, staring at this dog. Tammy's parents were asleep and I had come down in the very early morning to see if I could do something about this dog. It felt like the world was still asleep, and so was the dog. He opened one eye at me and then closed it again. Buster was ignoring me. "Listen, pup," I said. "I know I'm not her, but we gotta work together here. I'm not that bad, I promise."

He stretched and then huffed at me.

"Well then," I said. "That was rude." I got up and looked around. There was a bag of treats on the counter that Tammy's father had used to get Buster to take his medicine. I picked it up. At the sound of the bag, the dog had moved faster than I had seen him move so far. "Ah ha!" I said, smiling widely. "So you can be bought!" I tried not to laugh but I gave the dog a treat. I reached out to touch him and he stepped back. "Alright," I said. I leaned back on my heels. "We'll work on it."

"Tammy?"

I turned at the sound and saw Tammy's father coming down the stairs. "Hi daddy!" I said back, cringing a little inside. The term was ruined for me in terms of actual family after years of social media.

"What are you doing up so early?"

"I just woke up early and I just...wanted to make sure he was okay." I smiled at her father while I motioned to the dog.

"Okay. Your mother will be up soon and she'll make breakfast." I stared at him. Why couldn't he?

"Why can't you?" I asked.

He looked stunned. "What?"

I shrugged. "Can't you make something? I mean, mom cooks all the time. Might be nice if we surprised her some times with making it ourselves?" I kept it plural so that I didn't overwhelm him too much.

"Well, I...she likes to cook," he finally said.

"Just like you like to go to work? And I like to go to school?"

"I...I never thought about that." Before we could go further, there was the sound of steps on the stairs.

"Am I the last to wake up?" Tammy's mother was coming down, dressed in a bathrobe.

"I woke up early," I said. "I was just asking if dad would make eggs." I grinned at him.

"Your father has to get ready for work, and you have to get ready for school. Go on, by the time you finish, I'll have breakfast ready for you."

"But-"

"No buts!" She motioned me back to the stairs. "Get back up those stairs."

"I have time!" I argued back.

"Tamara Katherine Thompson, are you arguing with me?" She put her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows. I let myself be led out of the kitchen by Tammy's father. Her full name. They had called her by her full name. I had thought Tammy was an odd name but it never occurred to me that it was a nickname. What was more important though was the middle name: Katherine. It was close enough to my name that I could use that...if I could convince everyone. I wondered how they'd react if I asked them to call me Kate.

[tbc]