State Tree: Sugar Maple

Today I got smacked across the schoolyard by a giant cat.

I never liked Mondays.

Do you ever wonder what happens if you introduce a child into a horrifying, ungodly situation?

Sometimes I did too. I wondered what would happen if we got a new student in our class.

Today we did.

The bright blue girl stepped out of the car, smiling cheerfully.

My heart went out to her, her naiveté so obvious I almost choked back tears.

She will not be happy for much longer.

"Hello. Today is my first day at this school. I'm from..."

She paused to look up at the giant, blood-red cat that stood behind me.

"...Vermont"

The cat let out a good wail before batting my frail form, sending me careening off into space.

"Wow!" She said.

This was not an uncommon phrase to hear after such an event, but her voice was full of joy and wonder. I was confused.

"We didn't have giant cats at my old school!"

This is new.

The girl walked by the animal as the bell rang, rushing to get to class. The cat swatted at her and missed, letting out a snarl.

I dragged myself to class, wondering how the new student would fare on her first day.

Mr. Milk told her to sit down, and she did so, sitting in the wrong chair.

The little bird let out a screech.

Mr. Milk gave a start, dropping the paper he was holding.

"N-n-no! No!" He stuttered, "You can't sit there. That's- that's her chair."

She was unfazed by the outburst, and Marion seemed as confused as I was. She decided to try to warn the new student.

"You need to watch out for her," she said, "She makes things. Hideous things!"

"Who?"

As if answering, the door flew open, and our tormentor's silhouette appeared in the doorway.

Marion let out a sad whimper and slipped lower, as if her desk would protect her.

Mr. Milk was resigned to this evil by now. "Good morning, Vendetta", he said sadly.

Vendetta didn't bother with an answer. She walked to her seat, followed by Grudge.

"Vendetta," the new student mused, "that's a pretty name. Is it French?"

Vendetta glared.

"My name is Charlotte" the girl continued.

Vendetta seemed to ponder this.

"I... don't care," she said, derisively.

Grudge sat down.

"Oh, what a cute bear you have!"

Charlotte was efficiently digging her own grave, and I wished there was something I could do.

Grudge growled.

Marion whispered quietly to Charlotte.

"It's not a bear," she said, trembling, "It's a hamster. A really, really large hamster."

Charlotte didn't miss a beat.

"You can bring hamsters to school? I wish I would've known!"

Mr. Milk interrupted with a weak little cough.

"I guess it's time to start class..." he glanced nervously at the little monster, "If that's all right. I- I thought we'd read stories... maybe?"

Vendetta didn't seem to like this idea.

"Isn't it time for recess?"

Mr. Milk protested weakly. "But... I just started to-"

"What?" Vendetta interrupted, glaring at him. Her hamster growled.

Mr. Milk glanced around.

"Oh, oh my yes! It is time for recess! Uh... class dismissed."

The poor man was completely powerless. I felt for him.

Charlotte was pleasantly surprised. "It's recess already? This is such a great school!"

The class was shocked.

By the time we had filed outside, she was singing.

Singing! I could hardly believe it.

"Stop it!" Vendetta commanded, "My hamster doesn't like singing!"

Grudge pulled out a pair of scissors, effortlessly snipping the chain that suspended Charlotte's swing in the air.

"You'd better watch out," warned Vendetta, "he can cut more than rope with those scissors"

Charlotte sat up. "He can cut paper, too?"

"No... uh, nevermind" Vendetta wandered away.

"Ribbons?" Charlotte ventured, "Cardboard? Coupons? Buttercups?"

Vendetta was gone.

"She's so mysterious. But nice! I think we're going to be the best of friends." Charlotte let out a little giggle.

The poor girl.