St. Canard Elementary School - Sometime in 1964
"Nerd!"
Elmo Sputterspark glanced up as a shadow moved over him. The boy that stood over him was much bigger than most of the other first and second graders on the playground, and the sight of him filled little Elmo with dread. "Oh... h-hi Ham."
"What in the bag?" Ham made a grab for the brown paper bag in Elmos hand.
"My lunch."
"Peanut butter," Ham began to rifle through the bag, "my favorite. Thanks for the lunch, nerd." He turned to walk away.
"Come on, Ham, give it back!" Elmo started to reach for the bag, only to be shoved backward by the larger boy. He stumbled, unable to keep his balance, and landed in a puddle with a splash. Ham exploded with laughter.
Elmo blinked, glancing down at his now soaking wet clothes. By now a circle of children had formed around him, all of them pointing and laughing.
"You know what," Ham opened up the paper bag he'd previously taken from the boy, "on second thought, I don't feel like peanut butter today." He turned the bag upside down, dumping its contents over Elmos head."
The smaller boy made no move to get up, he simply sat there, staring at his wet lunch, tears stinging at his eyes.
"HEY!" A voice from outside of the circle called out, right before a rock hit Ham in the back of the head.
"Ow!" The boy reached up, rubbing at his head as he spun around, "Who threw that?!"
"I did!" It was a little girl in a bright pink dress and pigtails. She narrowed her eyes at Ham, "Leave him alone."
Ham glared, "Whos gonna make me?"
"I will," the girl replied, placing her hands on her hips defiantly.
Ham started toward her, "You little brat."
"Wait, Ham," someone in the group called out, "shes a girl. You can't fight a GIRL!"
"Watch me," the larger boy replied.
"I'm telling," someone to Hams right yelled out.
"Shut up, Drakey!"
The little girl in the pink dress didn't flinch as Ham moved to stand over her. "Just try it," she sent a kick at the boys shin, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Why you little," Ham made a move like he was going to push the girl, but stopped as the bell suddenly rang. The group of children all turned, rushing toward the building. "You got off lucky," Ham sneered as he turned away from the girl and followed the rest of the kids.
The girl watched him go, then turned her attention to where Elmo still sat in the mud puddle. He was staring at her with a look of awe. "Are you okay," the girl asked as she moved over to where the boy sat.
"Huh? Oh... yeah, yeah I'm okay." Elmo blinked up at the girl that was standing over him. He glanced back down at the food that was still floating in the puddle, "But now I have nothing for lunch."
The girl frowned, "You can have some of mine if you want."
"Re-really?"
"Yeah," she reached out a hand to help the boy up. "I'm Amy."
"Elmo," the boy took her hand and attempted to stand, but slipped, pulling the girl into the puddle with him. Water and mud went everywhere and Elmo gasped, "Oh no, your pretty dress!"
"Its okay, I didn't like this dress anyway. My mom made me wear it."
They sat there for a moment before the girl suddenly erupted into a fit of giggles. Elmo blinked at her, "Whats so funny?"
"You have mud all over your face."
"So do you," Elmo informed her.
Amy smiled, "Well then we match! Come on," she stood, and pulled the boy to his feet, "before we get in trouble." Taking his hand, she dragged him toward the school and the two of them disappeared into the building, leaving a trail of mud and wet footprints behind them.
-Finis-