Rulebreaker by Cluny Smith, age 9 One This wasn’t going to work. Charlie knew that it wasn’t going to work. Charlie and other kids don’t go together. It’s just a rule. And Charlie knows it by heart. “Mom, I don’t feel well. I don’t want to.” It was true. Charlie didn’t feel well. He was nervous. You see, however, Charlie shifts the truth. It’s still the truth. You can’t change the truth. That’s another rule. “Charlie, the second I even mention even the existence of another child, you don’t feel well.” Charlie’s mom raised an eyebrow. That was true. The exact truth. So, Charlie couldn’t argue. That’s the rule. Charlie nodded. His mom sighed. “Charlie. I think this will be good for you. Come on! It’ll be fun. You have to get more social. This was his mom’s rule. Her favorite rule. “Mom, I don’t want to. I don’t need to. So I don’t have to. That’s the rule.” Charlie explained. Charlie’s mom shook her head and sighed again. “Charlie, dear. Not everyone plays by your rules. You are going to have to learn that someday. Please go. You really, really need to. Get more social.” Her explanation was pleading so Charlie nodded. It wasn’t a rule, but when his mother wanted something it was best to make her happy and give it. Charlie smiled at his mother. He did like making her happy. Maybe it would be worth it. ***** Charlie was perfectly fine sitting in a leather cushion seat by the food table alone. In fact, he preferred it. Here, he was away from the screaming kids running around the party playing tag. It didn’t look fun. Plus, Charlie had a rule against it: Don’t play tag with the other kids. It’s because kids are noisy and scary and not worth Charlie’s time. Thankfully, all the noisy scary kids were playing tag. Except one. She looked bad-tempered and carefree. She definitely wasn’t the shy type. Her shaggy, dirty, blonde hair covered her eyes and she wore a blue t-shirt with a white tiger on it. She tapped the ground impatiently with her red sneaker and glared around. “Hey! Who you lookin’ at? A girl?” Sammy swatted Charlie on the back. He groaned, “Huh?” She looked at the girl and then at Charlie again. Then she grinned. “Hey, lookie! Charlie likes a girl!” Sammy’s small hands slapped him hard on the back again. She made kissy lips at him and then grinned again. Rule! Just ignore Sammy.
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