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Joe went home to his house, figuring he really needed a shower and to catch up on homework. He joked that he’d had enough excitement for today and that he couldn’t wait to do something nice and normal like math. Becky and I walked Zac, Meg, and Bobby towards their home. After all, since I had shrunk Zac...that was the least I could do. Well, at least that’s what I told him. Actually, I loved spending time with Zac. To think that me, Bella, the one they called pigsty girl, was walking with the cutest boy in the school. I only hoped some classmates would see us. Truthfully, I hoped our entire class would see us. “Wow! What an interesting day,” I said to Zac. “Yeah! It may very well have been my best day ever!” Zac gushed. “Sure, I was shrunk, but man, nobody else can say that. Well, except for you and my man, Joe.” He grinned. “You are so cool.” I felt my face turn bright red. “Gee thanks. It’s so nice to hear that from you. After all, you are the coolest guy in school.” Zac nodded. “Yeah, I guess I am!” I nudged him. He didn’t shudder. I took that as a good sign. “So I’m more than just pigsty girl?” “Man, I never totally thought of you that way. You’re just a girl who has a smart mom who invents some pretty neat and awesome inventions, but who also kind of invents some whacky ones.” “Yep, well put,” I giggled. “My mom is different. Her brain doesn’t work like most people’s brains. Sometimes I think I’m the same way. I see things differently too.” Zac smiled. “I think that is so amazing!” I dropped my head. “Other kids don’t, they think I’m different.” “Well, you just said you were.” “I mean, they think I’m different in a bad way.” Zac gave me a wave of his hand. “Who cares what other kids think of you. You know you’re smart and special and that’s all that matters.” Wow! Zac was pretty deep after all. He was right. I was special. I didn’t care what other kids thought. At least I shouldn’t, but I did. I looked at him with a tilted head. “I shouldn’t, but I do. When they laugh and joke about me, it hurts my feelings.” Zac stopped walking. He squinted his eyes and frowned. “From now on that’s not going to happen!
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