Little Tooth

Chapter Three

Speak

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It wasn't long after Baby Tooth teaching Alyss a few drawing tips that Alyss went back to her corner of the room, testing out what she had learned. Baby Tooth felt proud of herself, but then a wave of loneliness flooded over her again. She lied back In her bed, sighing. She closed her eyes to think about her mother. Toothiana must be insanely worried right now. It hurt Baby Tooth to know that her mother was probably fearing the worst right now, when really she's warm and fed and had new friends. Jack and the others must be worried for her as well. Baby Tooth couldn't help but feel….but feel….guilty.

A shadow walked over to Baby Tooth and she opened her eyes to see a tall lady in front of her. The lady had green eyes that stared at her sharply. Light blue glasses were the only thing between Baby Tooth and the lady's eyes. The lady's hair was incredibly blonde, almost white, and curled, part of it in a bun. Baby Tooth could only see the meanness In her looks, but when the lady softly smiled, Baby Tooth felt better. At first glance, this lady seemed mean. Baby Tooth felt guilty for already making opinions about her.

"Hello, Toothiana. My name is Ms. Elizabeth." The woman smiled, holding out her hand. "I'm the speech teacher here at Little Apple. "

Baby Tooth slowly smiled, shaking the lady's hand. The lady pulled away and sat next to Baby Tooth.

"Now, I've heard a lot about you, Toothiana. Like how you seem to understand English very well, but you just can't speak it. Well, I'm here to help you." Ms. Elizabeth said.

Baby Tooth nodded hear head.

"We'll go to my office to begin."

Mr. Elizabeth stood up and took Baby Tooth's hand. They walked out of the room and into a long hallway. This place looked a lot like an elementary school. Looking around as they walked, Baby Tooth looked through a glass window on a door to see Jackson talking to a man, who must be Mr. Auditore. Time seemed to slow. Mr. Auditore was saying something to Jackson, but Jackson looked away as if he didn't want to hear it. For a fraction of a second, Jackson and Baby Tooth's eyes met. Jackson's eyes looked at her sorrowfully.

Baby Tooth didn't understand. As Jackson left her sight, she couldn't help but wonder why he looked sad. What was Mr. Auditore talking about with Jackson? Baby Tooth looked up at Ms. Elizabeth, whom was looking forward at a door. That must be where they were going.

Ms. Elizabeth opened the door and took Baby Tooth in. Right before Baby Tooth entered the room, she looked back at the door that Jackson was in. Everything seemed to be a blur, but for that one split second before the door closed as she entered the room, she thought she heard shouting. Jackson shouting.

"Alright now, Please sit at the table and I'll be with you shortly." Ms. Elizabeth instructed.

Baby Tooth shook her head and did as told. She found a small table, children sized, and sat at it. There was clean, white paper and pencils, markers, and crayons spread all over the table. Baby Tooth watched Ms. Elizabeth sit at a desk, far bigger than the table she was at. Ms. Elizabeth typed a few things into the computer and then turned to Baby Tooth. She smiled sweetly and looked back at the computer. Pressing one last button, she sat up and sat down on the other side of the table Baby Tooth was at.

"Now let's begin."

-…-Two Hours Later-…-

"One last time…"

"Little Apple Orphanage." Baby Tooth said proudly and without hesitation. Her voice was sweet, soft, and kind. It was like you took Toothiana, her mother, and made her into a toddler. That's basically what she was.

"YES!" Ms. Elizabeth jumped up from her chair. She'd done it, and in only two hours too. Baby Tooth looked up at Ms. Elizabeth with a big smile. Jackson was going to be so happy when he hears her. She was so happy that she had forgotten what had happened before, walking in the halls of the Orphanage.

"I'm so proud of her, Toothiana! You've made great progress! For your young age, this is magnificent!" Ms. Elizabeth smiled. Baby Tooth couldn't help but feel warm inside. She was happy, Ms. Elizabeth was happy, and Jackson was going to have a kick out of this.

Ms. Elizabeth , after entering a few thing into the computer and writing on some papers, took Baby Tooth through the halls.

"Are you happy that you can finally put the understatement of the English language to use now?" Ms. Elizabeth smiled.

"Yes." Baby Tooth nodded her head. "Thank you."

"Oh, you're welcome." Ms. Elizabeth smiled.

Ms. Elizabeth stopped walking next to a snack machine. She looked at it and then a smile grew on her face, as if there wasn't already one on her.

"Toothiana, would you like a treat for such an occasion?" Ms. Elizabeth asked. Baby Tooth looked at the machine and slowly nodded her head.

"Alright! Point to what you'd like and I'd be happy to get it for you." Ms. Elizabeth smiled.

Baby Tooth looked into the machine, gazing at all the human treats. There was Hershey bars and Whatchamacallits and Twizzlers and even small packets of Cheese Its. The colors of the packaging looked oh so intimidating and the many many things to choose from. But These were all things that would rotten teeth, and momma would never approve of them. Baby Tooth thought about saying no to everything, but what mortal child said no to candy? She'd get something for Jackson.

Finally, Baby Tooth pointed to a white-chocolate Hershey bar. Ms. Elizabeth chuckled and bought it by putting money into the machine and pressing buttons. There was a hole at the bottom and as Ms. Elizabeth stepped back from the machine, one of the White-chocolate Hershey bars was pushed out of its rack and down into the hole. With caution, Baby Tooth put her hand in the hole and grabbed the candy. She took it out and gazed at it. It was so foreign but she'd seen them and adds for them all around the world.

"There you are, Toothiana!" A male voice almost yelled, walking up to Baby Tooth and Ms. Elizabeth.

"Mr. Auditore!" Ms. Elizabeth greeted.

"I've been looking around the building for her! It's her time for a checkup!" Mr. Auditore said.

"Well, mind you, I just got her to learn how to speak English in 2 hours and only 2 hours." Ms. Elizabeth smiled proudly. "As a treat, I bought her a candy bar."

Mr. Auditore looked at Baby Tooth and then grabbed her free hand. He began pulling her away from Ms. Elizabeth. His grip wasn't demanding. It was surprisingly soft. Baby Tooth watched Ms. Elizabeth as Mr. Auditore took her away and into his office. Ms. Elizabeth's smiling face turned to a sorrowful one just as the door in front of her closed. She was confused. First Jackson's yelling and then Ms. Elizabeth's sad face. What was going on?"

"Please sit down." Mr. Auditore said, but it sounded like a command.

Baby Tooth did as told and sat on a small chair that faced Mr. Auditore's desk. Mr. Auditore stopped and looked at Baby Tooth. Without warning, he snatched the candy bar from Baby Tooth and threw it into a trash can. Baby Tooth gasped. Why?! She was going to give that to Jackson!

"I cannot let you have that, Toothiana. I'm sorry, but until I find out your medical information, that could be dangerous to you." He sighed, not looking at Baby Tooth as he sat in his desk.

But that was for Jackson! Not me!, Baby Tooth argued in her head.

"Now I'll have to take a sample of blood, swob your throat, check for any signs of sicknesses. It's a lot to do, but if we start now, we can get it done just before dinner. You can meet up with your friends and so on so forth." Mr. Auditore said.

Just before dinner? But wasn't it still morning? It was at least 11 o'clock. Baby Tooth shivered. The next few hours, she'd have to wait. Jackson could wait too, right? She looked back over at the trash can to see the candy sticking half out. She'd get that for him and she'd give it to him, even if it got her into deep trouble.

"Now, let's begin." Mr. Auditore stood up, walking towards Baby Tooth. Baby Tooth nodded her head. She was going to be strong. Strong for her, strong for Jackson, Strong for mother.

-…-Later-…-

Finally, Baby Tooth thought, they were done. Mr. Auditore gave Baby Tooth a small smile before turning back to his computer.

"You can leave my office now and make your way to the other children. You've been very helpful, for most kids would cry. But you're different." Mr. Auditore said.

Without any other words, Baby Tooth slowly stood up. She began to walk towards the door when she remembered the candy bar. She saw it still sticking out of the trashcan. She looked at Mr. Auditore, whom was facing the other way. With a smile, she grabbed the candy bar and ran out of the room. Reaching the end of the hall, she turned back. Mr. Auditore didn't see her.

Baby Tooth made her way back to the room where all the kids stayed. She slowly opened the door to see that no one was in the room. She walked in, wondering where everyone had gone. She sniffed, looking around.

"Baby Tooth!"

Baby Tooth squeaked and turned around, scared to the sudden noise. She saw Jackson smiling down at her. Her scared feeling was washed away and she ran over, hugging the older teen.

"Finally! It's about time the doctor let you free from the scary needles and equipment!" Jackson smiled.

"I missed you!" Baby Tooth smiled. She could feel Jackson tense up.

"Baby..Tooth?" Jackson pulled away and looked at her.

"Hm?" Baby Tooth tilted her head.

Jackson stayed silent for a second, then smiled. "Ms. Elizabeth taught you to speak, huh?! Amazing!"

Jackson hugged Baby Tooth again and they stayed together for a few seconds before Baby Tooth pulled away.

"I..I got you something." Baby Tooth shyly said, handing Jackson the Candy Bar.

Jackson took the candy bar, stunned. He looked at Baby Tooth, and then the candy bar.

"Are you sure you don't want it?" Jackson asked.

"No, No. You can have it." Baby Tooth said. "I mean, I got it for you!"

Jackson then smiled, opening the candy wrapper and pulling a chunk off. He handed it to Baby Tooth.

"Here," He smiled. "You deserve it for being so sweet."

Jackson took a bite out of the candy before shoving it in his pockets. Baby Tooth hesitated when she held the chunk of candy. She noticed Jackson's gaze and then took a bite of the candy. It tasted…AMAZING! She hated to be selfish, but she kind of wished she'd kept the candy for herself. She ate the rest of the chunk and smiled at Jackson, who chuckled.

"You like it, huh? I'll share with you later." Jackson smiled. He then grabbed Baby Tooth's hand. "But now it's dinner time. We have to head for the dining room before words are said."

Baby Tooth nodded and followed Jackson. It had only been one day, but she felt like Jackson was the closest person to her. So nice and friendly. His smile and hair. But a sick feeling began to grow in her stoache. He seemed so much like Jack Frost. She felt guilty yet again. Jackson wasn't Jack, but….He…he was so much like him. Baby Tooth shook her head. This wasn't the time for it. She should enjoy today before it ends.

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