Todd's Revenge

                                                                      Todd’s Revenge

                         Playing the songs that brought a confident smile to his face was only one of the things he did to annoy the bullies in school. Todd Germain wasn’t as helpless as everyone thought. Granted his parents were religious nuts who forbade the kid from having any kind of gizmo (with the notable exception of a cell phone which was only to be used for emergencies) he was virtually without any of the modern gadgets. Still he managed to get through the daily struggles of an elementary student. His mind was a crystal clear music studio with amphitheater for his entertainment.

　

                          It was a typical lunch recess where the tough kids played a quick game of kickball, the popular kids traded stories about themselves and the ‘losers’ sat back and inwardly wept. Todd wasn’t a weeper and decided not to become one of the lonely kids. He just laid back in the early afternoon sun and closed his eyes as the mental music played. Everything was going according to plan as he beat the drums for the crowd of fans that had gathered to see “Todd and the Germains”.

　

                             Spike Swarovski was a punk whose older brother, Slick Jr., was in the midst of a gangland battle against a group of toughs called the Savages, determined it a good idea to beat the hell out of Todd. Slick and three of his fellow one day felons, snuck over to the boy they assumed was sleeping and kicked dirt on the boy. Spike was eager to see the reaction of the kid and put his ugly twisted face directly in front of Todd’s.

　

                             Todd grinned as the dirt landed on his body. Feeling Spike’s breath on his face he almost laughed. He knew there were at least two other guys with the twerp and was able to estimate their location. With the casual look of a boy that had every answer to any question, Todd quickly grabbed Slick’s head and brought it down for a kiss. Kissing his worst enemy was something of a surprise to him but he also knew how much he’d laugh about it later. After the smooch, Todd pulled his arms back and slid them below his body. He chuckled at Spike’s response and said, “Boy, I didn’t know you cared that much Spike. You’re gonna make me blush.”

　

                            Spike was too busy spitting and holding his belly to hear what the loser was saying. That’s when he heard the entire fifth grade class breaking into a loud chorus of laughter. He turned from a pale white to tomato red as even his thug mates took to laughter. The bell rang as the teacher, a short man with a big belly and thick moustache named Mr. Hill, stood by the door and waited for the kids to line up. Mr. Hill was no stranger to trouble so he recognized that something had happened between Spike and Todd. He carefully walked to where Spike was still holding his belly and staring at the dirt. “Hey Spike, what’s wrong? Something tells me that Todd somehow got the better of you.”

                              Spike peeked around Mr. Hill to check on the line. After reassuring himself that no one could see him, he bawled. “Mr. Hill, I’m not gay!” The punky kid wrapped his arms around the man as tears flooded his eyes.

　

                               Hill had no idea what Spike was talking about but consoled the boy anyway and repeated: “It’s okay, don’t worry about anything.”

　

                               Todd watched the display of Spike’s with joy. Then he mentally photographed the punk and teacher. The second bell rang and Mr. Hill disengaged from Spike. Spike searched the teacher’s eyes for a moment. “Sorry Mr. Hill, you won’t tell anybody will you?”

　

                              Mr. Hill sent a calm understanding smile at the boy. Then the two turned to head back into the school. Todd stepped carefully to the back of the line and marched back inside with silent victory written on his face. Once inside he returned to the concert. As he sat down at his desk Todd was surprised to see Spike humbly walking to his seat.

　

                             After looking down at the floor the punk slowly drew his gaze toward Todd. He cleared his throat. “I gotta give you credit man. I don’t know how you do it but I respect you now. Can we keep it cool between us?” Spike was whispering and Todd understood why.

　

                            Considering all of the bad blood that had gone between the two boys and the fact that he’d finally gotten the better of Spike, Todd returned with a positive grin. He put his open hand above his head. “We can be cool with each other, gimmie five.”

　

                           Spike felt the air rush from his lungs as he slapped the other kid’s hand. He was relieved and then swore to Todd that he’d never again be picked on by anyone. If anyone wanted to screw with the gizmo less kid they’d have to go through the Swarovski clan.

　

                          Todd nodded his appreciation and they both turned their attention to the front of the classroom where their teacher, Mrs. Ishanti, had just returned to take control of her class.

　

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                         This story might be a crock of baloney, but who cares? It lightened you up a little right?

　

                                                                    End.