Chapter Text
Theodore McCallister III or Tobey, was always a very bright and intelligent boy. Inventing robots in his bedroom and having a great vocabulary. He’s also quite charismatic although WordGirl didn’t fall for his charms. He became infatuated with her since the day she appeared. A girl who had such a powerful vocabulary seemed to be his perfect match. He’d come up with such devious plans to get her attention and affection. Unfortunately for Tobey, he was always stopped by WordGirl and rejected each time. Oh why did that super girl not see his brilliance and potential? He knew he needed to figure out who was behind that cape.
In school, Tobey would inspect his classmates. WordGirl is obviously a girl so Scoops wasn’t a suspect. He’s main suspicions were on Becky and Violet. But who could possibly be such an incredible girl? He didn’t outright hate either of them but he was quite angry when Violet won the invention competition a while back. And Becky Botsford was just an annoying girl who happened to be almost as smart as he. He honestly hoped neither of them were his beloved super crush. He decided to then test his two suspects.
During recess, Tobey approached Violet and Becky who were on the swings. He greets them.
“Good day, Violet. And Becky.”
“Oh uh hi Tobey.”
Violet was always soft spoken which Tobey failed to take into consideration. WordGirl didn’t speak so softly.
“Hi. Tobey.”
Now Becky’s voice was, well, irritating to Tobey. But he couldn’t deny that it had a similar tone as WordGirl’s.
“Could you two define, accusation, for me please?”
Violet looks around, mumbling while Becky chimes,
“Accusation is when you charge or claim that someone has done something. Like when WordGirl accuses you of wrecking the city.”
Violet nods in agreement. Tobey squints his eyes,
“Funny you mention WordGirl, Becky.”
“Ah yeah, uh it was just an example.”
Becky looks away, avoiding Tobey’s glare.
“Well that’s all I needed.”
He walks off, now more confident that WordGirl is Becky Botsford. Oh god wait, his lifelong crush on the town's superhero is actually her? He quickly rushes to the classroom to figure out other ways of testing this.
“Well that was weird of Tobey.”
Becky nods with Violet. It was strange of him to suddenly ask that. Could he have suspected her as WordGirl? Becky shakes it off. Tobey wouldn’t be that smart.
After the day ends, Becky returns home to see her mother chatting with Tobey’s mom.
“Oh hi, Becky! Ms. McCallister and I are going out for the evening. Your dad and TJ should be back before us. And we thought since you and Tobey both love words and reading, you two could study here.”
“Moooom.”
Becky attempts to sway her mother to not go, or at the very least not leave Tobey in the house. Becky’s mother doesn’t budge and tries to encourage Becky to make the best of it. As the two women leave, Becky finds Tobey on their living room couch. He seems more attentive than before, almost eager.
“Ah, good evening Becky Botsford.”
“It’s Becky, Tobey.”
“Right, so what would you like to read first? Perhaps ‘Complicated Robotics for the Advanced Engineer.’ I know you didn’t get to finish it since I borrowed it before.”
“…uh sure.”
Becky hesitately sits next to Tobey. The two of them read for a bit. Small comments as they flip each page. Tobey breaks the concentration with a question,
“So Becky, do you have any secrets?”
“What?! Tobey, of course not. Besides, if I did, you would be the last to know.”
“Fair enough. How come you know so many words? It’s quite impressive, it seems like you share that with WordGirl.”
Tobey grins triumphantly as Becky stammers.
“Pfft- no! I’m not WordGirl. Sure, I have a good vocabulary but I’m no superhero.”
“Are you sure? I’ve noticed you and WordGirl share the same height, same hair style and color!”
Becky interrupts,
“That’s ridiculous!”
Tobey continues,
“The same sparkling smile. The same ruby lips, the same-“
They both stare at each other, awkwardly. Tobey composes himself,
“I'm afraid I’ve said too much.”
“Listen Tobey, sorry to disappoint but I’m not WordGirl. Far from it, hahaha.”
Tobey shrugs, still suspicious of her.
“If you’re not her, then admit I’m smarter than you.”
“What?! How does that prove anything?”
“Well clearly WordGirl is smarter than me. Her intelligence is as beautiful as she is.”
Becky looks away.
“Tobey, I’m not going to-“
“Just admit I’m more brilliant than you!”
“I will not!”
The two of them are in a standoff. Both now on their feet. Sneering at one another. Tobey then exclaims,
“AH HA! That scratch on your leg! My robit did that to WordGirl. YOU’RE HER!”
He points excitedly at the mark on Becky’s leg. It was rather a noticeable injury.
“I JUST FELL!”
Tobey’s too giddy to hear Becky’s remark.
“I can’t believe it! The most incredible and brilliant girl I love is-!”
He freezes. Turning his back away from Becky, face now pink. Did he really just say all those compliments to THE ACTUAL WORDGIRL?! Becky is also taken aback. She always dismissed Tobey’s childish affections, mainly because he destroyed the city so many times.
Awkward silence fills the room between them. Tobey turns back to Becky. Now nervous and rather annoyed that he just spilled his feelings.
“Uh, Tobey. I- I didn’t know you felt that way…about WordGirl.”
Becky is perplexed on what to do. And Tobey seems to be too embarrassed to say anything else. After a few minutes, Becky sighs,
“Do you promise you won’t tell anyone?”
Tobey looks at Becky. Bewildered by what she just said. Becky impatiently says,
“Do you promise to keep this between you and me?”
“I get to share a secret with WordGirl! I mean Becky! W- uh.”
Tobey is no longer the proper and upstanding boy he was a bit ago. He nods and reaches his hand out to shake. Becky reluctantly shakes it. The two of them sit on the couch. Becky then asks,
“Did you really mean what you said just a moment ago?”
Tobey looks at her, embarrassed and frustrated at himself. He tries to put on his usual confidence but it’s easy to see through.
“Why yes of course! I adore WordGirl for her strength and vocabulary skills. And her spunky attitude and beaut-“
He stops, remembering that Becky is WordGirl. And WordGirl is Becky. He avoids looking at Becky and slumps on the couch.
“I’ve been defeated by my own words, who could have seen that coming?”
He covers his face in his palms. Becky sits, unsure how to take everything in. She didn’t think his feelings were that deep. Maybe he’d be more comfortable to see her as WordGirl. Becky stands, then doing her signature move and catch phrase,
“Word Up.”
Before Tobey, stood WordGirl. She hovers above the ground and sighs,
“You have to keep this secret. No one can know my real identity.”
Becky changes back to her regular self. Sitting next to Tobey who’s in complete awe.
“I can’t believe that my classmate is the superhero of this city. The hero of my dreams-“
He clams up again, he really should keep his confessions hidden. Becky reassures him,
“Maybe we could hang out more, as our regular selves more than our rival selves.”
Tobey beams,
“Yes of course! That would be wonderful.”
Becky chuckles, picking up the book they were reading,
“How about we start with finishing this book?”
The two of them read, a new found trust between them.