Last chapter! It was supposed to be about the length that one 10-minute episode would be.

There will probably be more stories like this one!

Ms. Grotke welcomed the children back from recess, and let them begin their presentations. Ashley A and Ashley Q's presentation was up first. The two snobby girls were dressed in futuristic-looking, but stylish apparel. What were the chances they ended up to be partners?

"So, like, in the future, all the roads will have gold glitter on them, to like, act as reflectors," Ashley Q explained.

"And, social class will be determined by how often you wear ponytails a week. The fewer, the better," Ashley A said, as the girl with the ponytail in the class got red in the face.

"Well done, Ashley A and Ashley Q." Ms Grotke congratulated them. "Excellent use of accessories."

Next up was Phil and Gus.

"In the future, the wilderness will overtake most of the suburbs, and people will all live in tree houses or tents," said Phil, showing off his poster of several people, who were ironically dressed in the usual Boy Scout colors, olive green and brown.

"Yeah," Gus added, "And there's gonna be watchtowers and helicopters everywhere so criminals can't get away with anything!" Phil looked slightly perturbed at his partner's input.

"Nice job, Gus and Phil. It's good to see people talking about the environment," commented Ms. Grotke. "Next up is TJ, Gordy and Spinelli."

TJ, Gordy and Spinelli all got up from their seats, awkward glances being exchanged between all of them. Gordy began explaining his poster.

"Well Ms. Grotke, in our future, there's going to be robots that do all the things humans do. And flying cars that go twice as fast as normal ones."

Spinelli chimed in. "And, there's going to be a ton of underground cities with lots of cool wrestling arenas."

"I see." Ms. Grotke contemplated. "TJ, do you have anything to add?"

TJ only matter-of-factly stated, "No ma'am, I do not. The poster was their part."

"Well, maybe you could read something from your write-up?"

"I'm afraid I didn't do that either, Ms. Grotke." There were whispers in the class.

"Oh, I'm afraid I'll have to give your group only a C-, then."

"But, that's not fair, Ms. Grotke!" Gordy cried. "Me and Spinelli did our part!"

"Gordy, you should have checked up on your teammates. A team has to work together, you know."

"But… But…" Gordy stammered.

"I'm sorry, that's just the way things are. But, very nice poster."

Gordy and TJ shot each other suspicious looks. Spinelli didn't care too much for grades, so C- was enough for her. She sat back down, but paid close attention to Gordy and TJ. She hoped this wasn't TJ's idea of "fixing" the problem.

After school, TJ noticed Gordy walking a little faster than normal down the sidewalk. He caught up to him and stood in his way. Gordy crossed his arms.

"I suppose you think you're really clever embarrassing me in front of the class like that."

"It had to be done Gordy. One lie for another. An eye for an eye."

"What are you talking about?"

"I know about your story Gordy. And by the way, the reason I was gone so long on that state fair trip is because I found that extra roller coaster ticket you dropped, and I was looking all over for you," TJ said indignantly. "And I still have it in my locker."

Gordy's shoulders dropped and he sighed. TJ sat down on the bench nearby. "Care to explain?" He notioned Gordy to sit down, but Gordy remained standing.

"I guess… I guess… I was jealous OK?"

TJ was surprised. "Jealous?"

"It's just that, you always had all these friends around, and everyone liked you. I thought maybe if I or other people didn't like you, it wouldn't make me jealous anymore. Or something. I'm sorry TJ." Gordy's apology sounded sincere, even more sincere than his voice when he told that fake story. It must've been a talent of his.

TJ was searching for words at this unexpected confession. "Gordy, uh… I never knew. Heck, I was even a little jealous of you."

"You were?"

TJ had a slight, but genuine smile. "Well, after that time we had detention, yeah. I guess I was kinda jealous that you still didn't like me. I mean, if someone gave you ice cream, comic books and pranked the principal in front of you, it would've worked on me."

"Wow, you were jealous of me? That's so cool!"

"Now don't get too cocky Gordy." TJ joked. He still looked at Gordy who looked like he wanted to say something. "But that's not all, is it?"

"Don't take this the wrong way TJ. But you and Spinelli," Gordy looked up curiously "You're not.. you know?"

"Whoa there," TJ put up his hands. "Me and Spinelli are just friends. And I think it's going to stay that way for a while."

"Oh, ok. That's a relief." Gordy smiled.

"So…. are we cool?" TJ looked at Gordy hopefully. Gordy's answer seemed to take forever to reach his ears.

"Yeah." Gordy looked a bit guilty, as though his actions had fully settled onto his conscience. "Sorry again about that story. And tell Spinelli I'm sorry too. I can get carried away sometimes."

"No sweat. Sorry about the project, I was just bluffing. I turned in the paper to Ms. Grotke after class."

"Ah, good to know, um… Teej." TJ widened his smile from hearing his nickname. Gordy continued to walk home.

"Hey Gordy!" TJ called out. "You want to hang out with us at Recess tomorrow?"

Gordy turned around. "Um, no offense, but now that I'm not jealous anymore or anything, I realized pulling pranks, rallying people, and all the other stuff you and your group do isn't really my scene." Gordy did a quick double take. "But, I appreciate the offer TJ. I really do."

TJ watched Gordy walk into the sunset, satisfied he fixed this mess finally, and that he'd won another friend.

"A mysterious kid, isn't he?"

TJ quickly turned around to see Spinelli standing there, smiling.

"Spinelli?" TJ put his hand on his forehead. "Um, how long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." TJ tilted his head, waiting to see if Spinelli was still mad, but she was as calm as the sunset in the sky.

"I'm glad you fixed the mess. And I'm glad you're not the person I thought you were for a second. Sorry I didn't trust you." Spinelli looked down.

"Aw, it's ok. We've all been on each other's nerves lately, me included." TJ looked up thoughtfully. "But hey, I finally got Gordy to like me. It only took a whole stinkin' year," TJ winked, and Spinelli giggled. Getting Spinelli to giggle was something only TJ could do. "There's only a few other kids in school that still don't like me, I bet I could get them to by 6th grade!"

"Oh, brother." Spinelli rolled her eyes.

"I'm kidding, Spinelli. I learned my lesson. Everyone has a reason for not liking someone, but it's not always the other person's fault."

"Now those are the wise words of TJ I'm used to hearing."

"So, Spinelli" TJ asked. "What do you think of Gordy, now that you know?"

Spinelli raised her eyebrows. "Know what?"

TJ gulped. Apparently Spinelli hadn't been there *that* long to find out what Gordy really thought of her. Something he mistakenly assumed.

"Um… it's nothing!" TJ smiled. Spinelli looked confused, which was TJ's chance to escape. "Race you home!"

"HEY!" Spinelli shouted. "Whaddya mean 'it's nothing'? Come back here and tell me!" Spinelli chased him in her oversized boots, and TJ laughed as the two friends ran home.