• Techhie, Day of Recognition

    “Oi, Tecchie!” Romilda called, “You forgot to do my calculus, too!”
    It wasn’t just Romilda Terrence, head of the tennis team, who abused Tecchie’s knowledge; it seemed like everyone in East Tamaha Boarding High school, even the people thought to be much unlikeable than her, the RP Club.
    Tecchie’s actual name was Oigit Robins. Everyone called her Tecchie because of her constant use of camcorders, digital cameras, and portable computers. She had learned 10 different languages from Cree to Dutch, only using an English Dictionary and Google. Oigit had watched Japanese cartoons, as well. She knew more than anyone in any subject, though, she did have a bold “C” in P.E. Oigit wasn’t a fan of her nickname.
    The only ones who seemed to respect, or at least take pity on her, was Joseph Cameron, Janite LeRu, and the twins, YinYin and YangYang Mitsuki. Oigit had a slight, yet powerful crush on Joseph, but always told herself, “He’s the coolest guy in school, you’ll never live up to him, besides, it’s dumb to like someone who attracts so many girls. And he’s already going out with that dumb old Romilda”.
    She settled back down under the old oak tree she admired so much. There was something special, almost magical about it, as she thought of herself, deep down inside. Oigit stared back down at her screen, her face lightly reflecting back; a long, messy mane of blonde hair tied back in a spiky ponytail, large, green eyes behind a large, circular pair of eyeglasses, and a pale face with thin lips. The screen held a message in a spiraled, silver box. The glittering, violet letters in handwriting encased the message: ‘Dear Oigit “Tecchie”, we are from the land of Tamana, and we’d like to meet you in person.
    HELP
    Sincerely, Tipzi, Trotters and Queen<3’
    Oigit blinked at the message. What kind of excuse for a letter was this? Knowing their love of fantasy board games and teasing her, it was probably the RP Club pulling her leg. Oigit stretched and yawned. How was it possible for a world like this to need her? And what kind of world would have a name like. . . She squinted at the message again and read the name aloud, “Tamana”.
    Everything after happened so fast. There was a yell, then a sharp stab of pain smacked her forehead, and then it was black. . .
    “See? I told you it would work”! A lavender-pigtailed girl wearing a puffy white dress and a miniscule crown of silver and blue had her face not even an inch away from Oigit’s. Oigit yelped and scrambled backwards in her half-laying-down position. The girl straightened up with a smug look on her face.
    “Don’t scare the kid, Queen, or else she’ll never help us.” A handsome, brown-haired centaur scoffed. The pigtailed girl named Queen gave the centaur a dirty look. She turned to a tall, blonde elf and tiptoed up to her ear. The elf had to bend down slightly to hear her whisper, “As I take care of, ehem,” she shot the centaur another loathing look, “Trotters, you explain,” she quieted down so Oigit could not hear her well, “the stuff”. As soon as Queen bowed away from the elf, she sped off after the chortling centaur called Trotters. The elf cleared her throat and turned to the wide-eyed Oigit. “Hi, Oigit, I guess you’re pretty confused,” the elf chuckled, rubbing her head, “Well, I’m Jeoy, but call me Tipzi, everyone does”. Oigit could relate. Tipzi spoke again, “ The psychopath,” she gestured Queen still chasing and screaming at the centaur in the vast field, “is Quina, but please call her Queen, she hate her real name. The really funny four-legger over there,” Tipzi paused once again, admiring the centaur and turning back to the impatient Oigit, “Is Maaron, or Trotters, whatever you like”. Oigit was REALLY confused now, what did they want with her? Trotters said something about needing her help. She spoke croakily, but louder than she thought “What do you need from me?!” But all Tipzi did was smile meekly and get farther away . . . without moving.

    Oigit awoke from under the old oak tree; stars and a new moon greeted her. A football lay beside her, and a bruise on her forehead also gave her a reasonable guess what had taken her out of consciousness. “A dream,” she whispered, “all a dream”.
    Tecchie walked home in the night, alone as usual. It had seemed so real to her, “But of course, no one needs a loser like me,” she whispered. Oigit sighed as she unlocked the door to her dorm; she was the only one there. Oigit also thought high school would be less lonely. She trooped up to her room and threw herself onto the futon. She almost didn’t try to struggle to stay awake, but fell asleep at once in a few minutes.
    A loud crash and splintering of glass had awoken Oigit. It was barely morning, her clock flashed ‘2:31 am’. A familiar silhouette of a four-legged lower body and a human torso stood in the middle of a pool of glass shards. Two glowing, gold eyes stared at her.
    “How did you?” Oigit gaped.
    “No time, let’s go.” Trotters replied quickly and seriously. He sounded a little afraid. Oigit stood and paused to take a look at the ground; tiny images of her reflection stared back at her from the fragments of glass. There was a world of Tamana that needed her help. Oigit cocked her head back up and stared Trotters in the eyes. She narrowed her eyes and nodded sharply.

    To Be Continued.