Rulebreaker | Cluny Smith

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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But Sammy was being hard to ignore. She was flapping her arms and dancing around him. She was making silly faces at him too. Finally, Sammy gave up. But not completely. “Okay, fine! Go up and say hi!” Sammy put her hands on her hip and stuck her tongue out at him. “No.” Charlie grumbled. Sammy’s eyes grew wide. “Chicken,” she shouted pointing at Charlie with a huge smile on her face. Charlie shook his head. “Not chicken!” Charlie argued, shoving her. Sammy stumbled and grinned again. “Then prove it!” Boy, this eight-year-old girl had game! Charlie frowned. Just ignore Sammy. Just ignore Sammy. “Fine.” Sammy froze mid hula-dance. “Alright then,” She teased, slapping him one last time. “Go ahead.”

Before now, Charlie hadn’t been aware that his legs were made of Jello. Now, he knew. As Charlie walked up to the girl, Sammy staring at his back, Charlie felt really afraid. Like he was worried the girl wouldn’t like him. But that didn’t make sense. Because Charlie didn’t like her. He didn’t even know her. “Hi,” Charlie said. He spoke quickly, to get it over with, and shakily, because he was afraid. Overall, Charlie was pretty sure he sounded stupid. The girl looked up from her black and white zebra patterned fingernails. “Yes?” “I’m…I’m Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Charlie.” “And?” “Hello?” “Yes. You’re Charlie. Want an award?” Charlie was shocked by her rudeness. “What? No, I just…you weren’t playing tag and I wasn’t so I thought…” Charlie took a deep breath. “Tag’s stupid.” What? Why say that? You sound like a maniac. What’s wrong with you? But the girl surprised Charlie. She nodded and glared at the playing children. She nodded and glared at the playing children. “Yeah,” she said, frowning. Then she turned to Charlie and smiled. “Frankie Bluebird.” The girl held her hand out before Charlie could realize what was going on. “Nice.” He pointed at himself. “Bebe Newduck. Residence of…” Charlie couldn’t believe what he was saying. The girl fell over laughing. “Alright, Babe! Newdeck!” The girl sputtered, laughing hysterically. Oh no. “No! That’s not my name. Name! Name! I’m Charlie. I told you that. Frankie of? Of? Of?” Now she was pounding the ground and making a big attraction. Sammy was gawking at them laughing and several of the kids who had been playing tag were giggling and pointing.

“Alright. Alright. Everyone shush. Go back to playing your baby game. Leave Charlie alone.” The girl had drawn herself up and was now glaring at everyone in the room.

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“Come on, Charlie,” she said to him, gesturing for Charlie to follow. But Charlie couldn’t move. His legs were stuck to the ground. His brain was all tangled. Charlie was stuck in confused awe with one thought running through his head. What just happened? Did she just stand up for me?

TO BE CONTINUED!

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