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.

Primary

I used to be a deep shade of blue.

I remember, when I was younger.

Much younger.

I didn't go to school then. I hadn't known.

I remember going to church, putting on my suit, combing my hair. I would look at myself in the mirror.

I had been a wonderful color. The others had admired me.

Life was simpler before I started going to school.

I did not know of fiends then.

I cared for someone, once. I had loved her.

She had went to my church, and she was the loveliest shade of pink I had ever seen.

She would compliment my color and I would blush, though she wouldn't see. I would tell her she was beautiful.

We had kissed one summer, under a tall apple tree in my backyard.

School had ended our relationship in more ways than I had imagined it could.

The first day is still imprinted in my mind, vividly.

I had walked, carrying my backpack and lunch.

It was the last time I bothered bringing my lunch to school with me.

I saw her.

She sat in the front row, looking for all the world like simply a grumpy, innocent student.

Mr. Milk stepped to the front of the class. He was a pale green then, not much brighter than now. But at least it was color.

More color than any of us have now.

Now I am dark gray.

Marvin managed to keep his coloring, at least a little. He had been lime green, glowing like the sun.

He still has traces of it. I don't know how, but he is still green.

A dark teal.

We were all dark now, except for Mr. Milk.

He didn't have the energy to turn pure white. He had just turned a disgusting tan.

Vendetta had done it to us. Normally if someone had changed your color, you would be angry for it.

My new color is not really a concern of mine.

On the first day, I bid my love good-day at room one, where she had class.

I walked, apprehensive, my own room.

I was nervous that day.

I am nervous every day, but that day I was nervous for a different reason.

Trouble started shortly after Mr. Milk introduced himself.

Vendetta stood up on her desk. Feigning sweetness, she asked if animals were allowed in class.

Mr. Milk dealt with her like any other student.

"I'm sorry, Vendetta. Pets are not permitted". He turned back to the chalkboard.

She was done playing.

"No."

He swiveled on his heel, amused.

"I'm sorry?"

"No. I want to bring my fiends to school."

He walked over to her, leaning down.

"That isn't permitted. Now, if you wouldn't mind, I'm going to start class."

Sarcasm wasn't Vendetta's strong point.

"Get away from me. I am not a five-year-old. I am going to get my fiends and there is nothing you can do about it."

She jumped out of her chair and walked purposefully out of the room.

I wondered what would have happened if right there, Mr. Milk had grabbed her, sat her down, and been firm.

But he stuttered, and by the time he realized what had happened, she was gone.

He didn't really know what to do, so he had simply returned to the lesson plan.

Vendetta came back later that day, carrying a box.

Grudge wandered in after her.

I don't know if she had made Grudge that day, or simply had left him at home and gone to get him. The other students have different theories, but I don't attempt to guess. I know I will probably never find out.

Mr. Milk looked at Grudge in fear.

It was then that his color began fading to a slightly lighter shade.

Grudge grabbed him and threw him to the other side of the room.

Vendetta opened the box and a black, toothed bat flew out. It started flying about the room.

Marion started the screaming, and soon everyone was.

I never screamed at the site of the fiends. I would sit still, praying.

Save me. Show me salvation.

The door flew open and the bat flew out, racing around the school yard.

Room one was out at recess.

My love had been playing on the slide.

The bat was on her before she could yell.

It was then I had turned dark gray.

I wish I hadn't, but there is nothing I could have done about it anyway.

I'll never forget, though. I'll never forget that simple fact that seems to represent everything my school career has done to me.

I used to be a deep shade of blue.