Not Like Us - 1. Not Like Us

“What about the party this weekend? Is it still on?” Billy asked, casting a cautious glance over his shoulder.

Kody stopped eating for a moment, his eyes following Billy’s to where Chad sat on the far side of the field, reading a book. “Yeah, it’s all set up... we just need to figure out who to invite,” he said, and they both knew exactly what the problem was: Chad.

Billy stamped his foot, as he usually did when agitated. “Yeah, and who not to invite,” he added darkly.

Kody let out a soft snort. “I guess... but Mabel will be pissed if we don’t invite Chad.”

Billy grunted, again turning to cast a glance in Chad’s direction. “Mabel is always off doing her own thing anyway, maybe she wouldn’t even notice. Or maybe... does she even know about the party?”

Kody’s eyes grew wide in both recognition and unease, and he began to mumble, though the sound was soon drowned out by the clatter of Mabel’s approaching footsteps.

“I heard my name, and what you said, Billy. Yes, I know about it: I’m the one who picked the spot: the meadow, same as last year. Now, why are you so against inviting Chad? Maybe we should invite him instead of you?” Mabel said, lowering her head just slightly, in a way that Billy knew meant he had best answer with care.

“I, uh, wouldn’t want you not to come, Mabel, I was just thinking out loud... it’s not going to be much of a party if Chad comes. He’s... strange. He moved here three months ago, and he just doesn’t fit in,” Billy replied, looking down and shuffling his feet.

Mabel snorted in disdain. “Maybe he doesn’t fit in because nobody accepts him? I want him to come... He’s okay to be around – once you get used to him.”

Kody stopped chewing to answer, “Yeah, you would say that, ‘cause it’s pretty obvious you’re his favorite. But... I guess we could invite him. He’d probably raise a stink if we all take off without him.”

“I don’t like him; he’s a freak; the stuff he does, it’s just... it’s not natural!” Billy grumbled.

“Enough of that! There’s no place for bigotry here!” Mabel retorted sharply, followed by a snort of profound disapproval.

Billy began shifting his feet again, raising little clouds of dust. “He’s just... weird! He’s... not like us. And, we gotta put up with him acting like he's in charge all the time. He’s bossy, and weird! He never listens... and his kind are nothing but trouble anyway!”

Mabel glanced in Chad’s direction, before turning to reply, “That’s his job... and as for being weird, he didn’t choose to be born that way. It’s not his fault he’s so... strange.”

Kody looked at Chad, and then at Mabel. “Okay, okay, invite him... just make it clear that he’s not in charge for once, okay?”

“I’ll do my best,” Mabel replied, turning to walk towards Chad, calling back over her shoulder, “Let’s all ask him. It’d be better that way.”

Billy hesitated, but went along with the others, though still complaining. “He’s weird looking! And he walks funny, like he’s about to fall over.”

Mabel snorted, turning to lower her horns with clear menace in Billy’s direction. “So would you, if you only had two legs.”

And with that, the issue was settled, and Kody took his accustomed lead and the three continued on their way towards Chad, their goatherd.