Chapter Text
Theresa Le Maize found herself in a beautiful forest. It was full of wildlife and fauna. She took a walk through the forest until she got to a cabin. She then entered the cabin and a saw a tall woman in the distance, “Theresa” the woman called out.
“Rise and shine, Theresa” her father, Luke Le maize proudly exclaimed. She was just having a dream and now it was time to get up for school. After yawning, she got up out of bed and got on her bedroom slippers. “Reporting for Duty sir” she exclaimed to her dad.
She made it downstairs for breakfast where her dad, brother Alex and Martha were at the table. Martha was the nanny of the household employed by Luke and his late wife to take care of the two children, while they were busy with their jobs. “Good morning, everyone” Theresa said.
“Morning” Martha replied back. “I can't believe that you're going to be 10 years old soon, it's almost like yesterday when you first came from the hospital”.
“its still two days away” Theresa reminded her. “That may be true, but we are all proud of you” her dad chimed in. After eating her breakfast cereal, Theresa went upstairs to get dressed. She brushed her teeth and put on her usual attire for school. She was glad that Third Street didn’t force school uniforms, as she would look grey and boring.
She waved her family goodbye as she went onto the school bus. After sitting down, she took a look at the birthday invites she bought with her.
She planned on inviting T.J, Gus and the others to her party. The group of friends were always nice to her and let her hang out with them when they could. Their friendship got even better when they helped convince her dad to let her be friends with Gus.
Later that day she was walking through the playground at Recess. She then saw the gang over at the big Cheese and ran over to them. Gus noticed her coming “Hey Chippy”. “Hey guys” she replied back.
“You look excited today” Spinelli said noticing her expression. “My tenth birthday party is on Saturday, and I was wondering if you all would like to come along” Theresa asked. She then handed out the six invitations to the group.
“We would love to come Cornchip Girl” T.J said. She honestly didn’t mind her nickname of Cornchip Girl, because having a title made her feel special. “I don’t think that I can come” Gretchen said. “I have a dentist appointment that day”. “That's okay, I'll save you a slice a cake” Theresa said.
After meeting with the group, she ran off to the Swings when no one was sitting on it. However, she was being watched by The Ashley's. The Ashley's and Cornchip Girl were more like acquaintances than friends. She didn't like their spoiled bratty attitude, while they thought her military upbringing and interests in strategy were weird. What they did have in common was their frequent run ins with T.J and the gang. "Cornchip Girl looks unusually happy today" Ashley B commented. "I overheard her saying something about a birthday party" Ashley Q said. "Birthday party eh, let's see if she would invite us" Ashley A said. "And if she doesn't?" Ashley T asked. "Then We'll make her life a living hell" Ashley A replied. The group went up to Theresa who was reading a book she had secretly brought in. "Wait is it your birthday?" Ashley A asked. "Yep, 10 on Saturday" Theresa replied. "You can't be 10 years old already" Ashley Q asked. "I know, in fact Martha said something similar this morning". "So, where's our invites?" Ashley A asked. "Sorry you're not invited" Theresa replied. "Why" they said in unison. "Because, I only want to invite my best friends" "Which are? "T. J, Gus and the others" "Fine, if that's the way you're playing this then" Ashley A snatched the book out of Theresa's hands. "Please give it back" Theresa shouted, she rarely shouted at anyone, that she was even taken aback by her own voice. “What is this book anyway?" Ashley B asked. “A storybook my mum used to read me called The Ugly Duckling” Theresa replied. “Please don’t do this, I'll tell the others", she said trying to plead with them. “ You think that We're afraid of your group of friends” Ashley A replied back. “You're a coward if you think they are going to help a little runt like you”. She then shoved Theresa off the swing to the ground. Looking down upon Cornchip Girl, The Ashley's wanted to teach her a lesson. It was a lesson she wouldn't forget.