Author: Joyful (PrettyLilTeacup7@aol.com , AuntMelba1@aol.com )
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever met Hanson, and all other characters either belong to me or to Michelle ( Michelle@Pardyline.com.au ). I made up the names of the schools, as far as I know they don't really exist.
Summary: The triplets (the first set, Cosmo, Matt and Duke) as well as the rest of Ike and Babsie's kids start high school. This is a "lost chapter" of sorts to Michelle's "Refrigerators" series: www.geocities.com/dumbjoke .
Notes: For Michelle, just cause. And for me, 'cause I said so. I hope y'all like it.
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Labor Day, 2019, Tulsa
"But Mum, I wanted both shirts," ten year old Cyke complained.
"Cyke, you already got four shirts, and I didn't let anyone else get more than five," Babsie pointed out. Babsie Hanson was taking her eldest eleven children back-to-school shopping. Her husband, Isaac, was watching the youngest ones back at home. It was only the children over ten who would be attending public school, the younger children would be home-schooled. Except, of course, Xavier, the oldest, who was in a band with three of his cousins.
The eldest Hanson children, save Xavier, were both excited and scared about attending school in Tulsa. Some of them had attended school back in Australia, but that was several years ago, and another country. Now Esme, Carmen, Duke, Cosmo, Matt, Rogue, Storm, and Tobe were going to be starting at Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr./Sr. High School, and Cyke and Lockie were going to be attending Millard Fillmore Middle School. The youngest nine would stay at home with Babsie for now, while Xavier would be home-schooled by Rita, while on tour.
As if Labor Day isn't a hectic enough shopping day as it is, Babsie decided she must crazier than normal to be taking eleven children to the mall. When everybody had enough clothing for at least the first month or so, they headed home. They had school to prepare for and a triplet-sized birthday to plan, and they wanted to do it while Xavier was still around.
That night, supper table conversation discussed everything from tour dates to apprehension about school. Mostly apprehensions. And of course Libby and Joy were upset that they missed the school cut off by just a few months.
That night, after supper, Xavier approached his mother.
"Hey Mum, can we talk for a bit?"
"Sure Xavier, always."
"Well, I was wondering, are you sure that this is a good idea? Sending everyone to school, that is. I mean, we've always been home-schooled. And I know that the triplets went to school for a little while, but still. I mean, you and Dad have always taught us to be individuals and not to worry what other people think, but kids can be cruel, are you sure you want to unleash them on the world? Actually, thinking about it, I'm not sure if I should be worried about my brothers and sisters, or the rest of the school," Xavier chuckled. He had just turned sixteen, and the bond that he and his mother shared had only strengthened with age.
"Well, I went to school and your father didn't. Now I know that he is happy with the way he grew up, but I think a part of him wishes he could have gone to school for a bit. Plus I think it will be good for them to make friends with people who aren't relatives. You know if you weren't in the Four Amigos you'd be starting eleventh grade. Maybe we'll even send you to school next year, you never know." Xavier thought about this for a while
"Well, I guess if you reckon it's a good idea, okay then. I just don't really want to go to high school, Mum. I'm happy the way things are, you know?"
"Yeah, I know. I just hope being "famous" isn't to hard on the kids at public school."
"I think it will be okay, Mum, I really do." Babsie kissed her oldest son on the head and then swatted his bum. Then she went to talk to Ike.
"So, Ike, hun, do you think this is a good decision?"
"I, I think so, Babsie. I do regret never going to high school, but I'm also glad for home-schooling. If this year turns out horrible, we can always pull them and teach them at home again. But a part of me is wondering if I made the right decision to let Xavier go on tour without me there. I know he's in capable hands and doesn't need me, but still, I sort of wish I could be there. Babs, I hate that our children are growing up so fast! I can't believe how fast time flies." Babsie kissed her husband sweetly.
"I know how you feel, Ike, but remember, we still have nine staying home with us every day, and you do have a lot of work going on. But I'll tell you this, Ike, I'm glad to be staying home. I know that in the past I never wanted to be tied down, but I'm sort of looking forward to being a stay-at-home mom for once. Truthfully, I'm glad to be 'settling down.'" Babsie locked eyes with her husband, the two shared a passionate kiss, which would quickly turn into much more.
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Come Wednesday morning, Isaac Hanson loaded ten of his twenty children into one of their vans and headed off to school. The first stop was the high school. After the first day, they'd all walk to and from school, but this was special. After eight children piled out of the van and walked into the school, not avoiding several stares, Isaac drove to the middle school to drop off Cyke and Lockie, who were anxious to start sixth grade. He walked with them into the school just this once, knowing they were a little scared.
The older eight all pulled out their schedules and went to their lockers. They had a vague idea of what they were doing because of the walk-through they had the day before. But to their dismay, twins and triplets were separated for at least homeroom, if not all classes. The groups walked first to the junior high wing, and watched Rogue, Storm, and Tobe head their separate directions. Cosmo pulled Tobe aside before he left the group.
"Toby, I know you're a little anxious about this, but I know you'll do great. Go knock 'em dead. You'll rule the seventh grade." Cosmo gave his scared younger brother a hug and pushed him down the hall. Then the other five headed into the high school. Esme and Carmen hugged their younger brothers as the three went into their respective homerooms. Then they found their own lockers and classrooms as well. Then the two hugged. They all knew that they were attracting undo attention with all the hugging going on, but they really didn't care.
"You ready for this Carm?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, Es, let's go meet the tenth grade!" And then they separated.
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Cosmo knew that the day wouldn't be quite what he expected as soon as he sat down and heard the clang of his leg banging against the desk.
[Oh well,] he thought to himself, [I might as well be up front about it, it's better than hiding.]
"What was that noise?" The boy next to him asked. Cosmo looked up at the lanky boy next to him. He had shaggy brown hair and green eyes. Cosmo's own blonde hair had been spiked, and the tips were dyed green. Many of the children had taken Babsie's liking to hair dye, finding it also helped to differentiate them from their siblings.
"Oh, that was just my leg. My flex-foot that is." And Cosmo rolled up his pant leg to show the prosthesis. When Cosmo was young he decided he would always be forward about his leg, because if people thought you were shy about something, or uncomfortable, it only gave them more reason to tease you.
"What happened to your leg?" The boy asked
"I was hit by a car when I was little. They had to amputate. I'm Cosmo by the way, what's your name?"
"I'm Steve." They shook hands, "Cosmo? That's a really weird name."
"I know, but some of my siblings' names are even worse. Let's just say that my parents are obsessed with the X-men." They laughed. Then the teacher came in and spoke up,
"Okay, so my name is Mr. Gelding. I'm just going to call role now. If I mispronounce your name, or you go by a nickname, tell me now or forever hold your peace." He went through the list.
"Ferris, Steven?" Steve spoke up.
"Here, and it's Steve please."
"Hanson, Sean?"
"Here, and I go by Cosmo, thanks." Everyone laughed, not believing him.
"'Cosmo,' huh? Well 'Cosmo,' where did that come from?"
"It's my middle name. Most of the people in my family go by their middle name." Mr Gelding seemed to accept that answer and they moved on. Soon homeroom was over and they moved on to first period. Cosmo checked his schedule to find he had math, and was happy, knowing that Matt was in that class.
"So Steve, what do you have first?"
"Algebra II, you?"
"Same. With Mr. Winston?"
"Yep. So, did you just move here? I've never seen you around before."
"No, my sibs and I have been home-schooled for most of our lives, but Mum decided it was time to ship the oldest ten off to school."
"Wait a sec, Mum? Ten!? How many of you are there?" Steve asked, his eyes wide. Cosmo chuckled.
"Well, there are twenty of us all together. Twenty-one originally, but one of the babies died a few years ago. My oldest brother is on tour with his band, and the youngest nine are with Mum. She's "Mum" because she's from Australia." After this little speech, Steve laughed.
"Wait, Hanson, right? You're one of "the" Hansons?" Steve laughed again when Cosmo nodded. "But still, nineteen sibs? How did your parents manage that?"
"A lot of multiple births. Speaking of multiple births, there's one of my twins. I'm a triplet." Cosmo spotted Matt at walked over to him, sharing a high-five.
"Yo, dude, how's it going so far?"
"Pretty good, except the teacher refused to call me Matt. I really hate being called Gomez. I'm not an Addams!" They laughed, and Cosmo introduced Matt to Steve, and then they settled down for math class. The rest of the morning went on without incident, save a few mix-ups when one of the triplets would be called by the wrong name. Before they knew it, it was lunch-time, and they all went out to the quad to eat with their family.
Babsie had packed them all a lunch, and the eight of them all managed to find each other. They all sat together by a tree, just talking over their morning. Apparently Rogue and Storm were having trouble convincing their teachers not to call them Rachel and Kristen.
"And it's really annoying," Rogue said. "My name might be Rachel, but I don't answer when I hear it said!" They laughed. "What about you guys?" Duke was having the same name problems, and the oldest five were getting strange looks about their hair. Tobe was having a bit of a rough time as well. A couple bullies had made fun of him for having long hair.
Before they had really had time to talk, lunch was over and the triplets were headed for PE, the only class that all three of them had together. They went to the locker to change for gym class, and the trouble began.
"Hey! Look at the freak! What's wrong with your leg, Freak?" A bully taunted. However, in order to be taunted, you have to let it upset you. Cosmo looked at his brothers and smiled.
"There's something wrong with my leg? Oh no! I hadn't noticed?" He said with a mock gasp. "And as for the "freak" part, heck yeah!" The bully got a little red in the face. "But seriously. I was hit by a car as a child, and they had to amputate. No biggie, I can do anything you can do, as long as my leg doesn't rust," Cosmo laughed. He pulled the signed note that Ike had anticipated needing, that the doctor had written saying that Cosmo was not to be banned from gym. Now normally, Cosmo didn't mind wearing shorts, but he was getting a lot of funny looks. Therefore, he decided he was going to wear them the rest of the day. If people were going to know about his leg, it wouldn't be through gossip.
"Okay, class, time fore the warm-up. Brock, you lead the stretches then do ten laps around the track. You, with the green hair, come here." Cosmo jogged over to the coach.
"Yes sir?"
"Are you allowed to be here?" The coach asked in a stern, condescending tone. Cosmo pulled the note out of his pocket.
"Yes sir, here's a signed note from my doctor. The only thing I can't do with this leg is swim, and when we get to that, I'll take it off. I'm not any different than anyone else here, except I have a nasty scar, and can rust in the rain." He grinned. The coach looked st him warily, but conceded. Cosmo rejoined his class.
"Dude, what's the fuss about?" Duke asked.
"The coach almost didn't let me play, but dad had Dr. McIntyre write me a note. It's funny how weird my leg makes people act. I think I just might wear shorts for the rest of the week, just to freak them all out while I still can." They three of them laughed as they joined the rest to run laps. And Cosmo managed to surprised everyone by beating most of the class.
After gym, Cosmo changed his shirt and then went to his study hall, surprised and happy to see Carmen sitting at one of the tables. Carmen, corrupted by her mother and aunt, had long purple hair, which was up in a messy bun. She was quite pretty, though she was slightly overweight. She was listening to her diskman, but looked up when Cosmo tapped her shoulder.
"Whatcha listening to?"
"Stormy Flanders." She answered.
"That's that new folk singer, right?"
"Yeah."
"Cool. So Car, how's the day been for you so far?"
"Pretty good. Got less homework that Mum or Aunt Rita ever gave us. It's still a lot though. What's with the shorts?"
"I'm trying to get people to stop looking at me funny. I figure if I wear shorts for the next week or so, they'll get used to it." The pair just sat and talked for a bit, until a girl they had never seen before came up to them.
"Hey, I'm Lisa, mind if I sit here?"
"Not at all," they said, and she sat down, setting her notebook on the table. The notebook of course had pictures of the Four Amigos plastered all over it, with Xavier smack in the middle. Carmen and Cosmo looked at each other and started laughing.
"What's so funny?" She asked, a flustered look on her face.
"That's our brother," Carmen said, "And those are our cousins." Lisa stared, looking like she was about to freak out.
"Oh my gosh. Xavier Hanson is your brother?"
"Yeah. I'm Cosmo Hanson, and this is my sister Carmen."
"There are 20 of you all together, right?"
"Yep."
"That's insane."
"So are our parents," they said in unison.
"I always thought all you Hansons were home-schooled."
"We mostly have been, but Mum decided 19 kids at home at once was too much for her."
"I'd probably feel the same way. So, what's it like growing up touring?"
"Hectic but fun." Cosmo answered, he was enjoying talking to the tiny girl. "I'm glad to go to school again though. What grade are you in?" Carmen had gone back to her discman, leaving the two to talk by themselves..
"Ninth, you?"
"Same. Are you new here?"
"Yeah, we just moved here from Boston. Is my accent that strong?"
"Yeah," Cosmo giggled. "So Lisa, I'm just going to get to the point here," Lisa giggled. "I know you have a crush on my brother and cousins, but all of them aside, would you like to go out with me sometime?" Lisa thought about it for a second.
"Sure, I'd love to. But one thing first. Why me? I mean, I know you can hear it in my voice, nobody wants to date a girl who's hearing impaired. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, revealing one of her hearing aids. She could hear with the hearing aids, but not perfectly.
"Lisa, look down." She did.
"Now why would I, the one-legged-wonder care about something as stupid as hearing aids?" She giggled.
"Thanks, Cosmo. So, when and where?"
"Do you wanna walk downtown with me after school? I'll just call Mum when we're done and tell her I'm going downtown with a friend." He smiled.
"Sure, as long as I do the same." They smiled as the bell rang.
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Before long the day was over. Cosmo and Lisa had both gotten permission to walk downtown after school, and Lisa was even allowed to join the Hansons for supper. As they were walking down Main Street, holding hands. They took a detour into the park, only to find the bullies from Cosmo's gym class waiting by the rocks.
"Hey look, the little Freak's got a girlfriend!" They teased.
"You leave Cosmo alone, you big jerk!" Lisa cried.
"Aw, looks like the little retard has a boyfriend as well," they teased, making the common assumption that people with hearing problems are slow. Unfortunately for the bullies, they had no clue that Cosmo was very close to his ten-year-old cousin Kyle, the two of them being the "handicapped" family members. Therefore he knew a lot of sign language. And while Lisa had most of her hearing with her hearing aids, she also knew a lot of sign language, since her older sister was completely deaf. Luckily for the two of them they had just finished discussion this vary same fact a few minutes earlier. Cosmo signed a few things to Lisa and she got a huge grin. Just as the ringleader turned around to make a rude comment to one of his "cronies" Lisa ran up and pantsed him, boxers and all. Laughing Lisa and Cosmo ran hand-in-hand out of the park. After they caught their breath, the two of them headed to the Hansons house for supper, and to work on their homework. Yes, even on the first day of school, they had homework to do.