ROBOT+WARS



ROBOT WARS:

By Danica

"Goodbye honey!" "Goodbye Mum." Maxi lurched her elephant-sized backpack over her shoulder and waddled out the front door, and into the thundering rain. Maxi was a twelve year old girl who attended St Hilda's Collegiate School. She was average sized, with nothing much distinctive about her. It was a pity, because Maxi was the type of girl who wanted to be recognised. Even if it was for fiery red hair. Maxi was sick of being referred to as the 'Girl in year 7' or as the 'Girl who just passed the Science Test'. She wanted her name to echo throughout famous cities, be in everyone's conversations and have billboards in Hollywood advertising her award-winning novel or the talk show she was going to be on that afternoon. Sadly, the only unique thing about her was her name. Maxi had mousy brown hair that was always squeaky clean, and dull mud eyes that only shone when her name was called out. Even then, that wasn't often. Maxi's mother worried about her so much. She wa forever getting calls from Maxi's dean teacher, Ms Carmichael about Maxi's lack of concentration. "Maxine, please do concentrate in maths dear, then you'll whiz through your tests, pass everyone of them and then please everynone with your intelligence." she would beg, or, "Maxine, please pay attention in Science. I fear you do not know how to work a Bunsen Burner, then you will have to repeat you're year!" she would beg. Maxi couldn't help having her lack of concentration. She daydreamed all day long about being a magical film star in California, and being BFF with celebrities like Miley Cyrus or Taylor Swift. They were her heroes, always brightening up her day. By the time Maxi had trudged to school, she was soaked to the skin. She made watermarks on the school corridor floors and the grouchy caretaker grumbled loudly at her. "Drenched rat! Drenched rat!" her classmates chanted at her. Maxi bowed her head in shame, making a mental note to buy an umbrella after school at the Warehouse. Her first class that day was Science. Maxi had to admit that out of all school subjects, she liked science best. It wasn't copying down the tedious notes or watching the boring videos about echolocation and dolphins, but the fact that she could whisk away to her own private world in her head, because her science teacer, Mrs Karah was the nicest teacher in the school. She told Maxi that she didn't have a problem with Maxi's constant dreamy expression, as long as Maxi got her work right. Maxi wasn't excellent at the subject, but she wasn't the dumbest either. She squelched into the class, and to the back row of desks. No one sat beside her, but up front, next to the popular girl, posh Jayne. Jayne was a Hilary Duff replica, the same princess blond hair and American tanned skin. Jayne even had a polished American accent, even though she was pure English. It was no surpise she wanted to be American, like her idol was Paris Hilton. "Oh my gosh, did you hear?" Jayne was gossiping loudly to her gang. "Ms Carmichael let slip to me that there's a new student starting today! She's got a weird name... something like Zara." "A new girl?!?" everyone repeated. The news spread like wildfire. Maxi found herself thinking of what this Zara looked like. Maybe she was like herself, a confused girl who didn't fit in. Where did she come from? Dublin? Barcelona? Hollywood? Maybe she knew Miley Cyrus!!! Mrs Karah strode in elegantly, her short black hair bouncing on her model-like, curved shoulders. She shouldn't be an old teacher, though Maxi. She's got the figure of a modelling star! "Good morning class!" Mrs Karah boomed, and ignored the muffled reply of good mornings and the occasional good afternoon. "As you don't know," she carried on,"We have a new student starting today! Please welcome Miss Zara Grey!" A tall girl walked in timidly. She moved with akward, jarred movements, as if she was acting out a puppet. She had endless black eyes and funky blond hair that stood straight up in twisted knots. Her skin had a milky, plastic tinge to it, like she had been kept in an airless box for a year or two. What freaked Maxi out most was her overall look of a thirty year old. She reminded Maxi of an insane astronaut. "It's Xena." she corrected stiffly.

//As I walked into that science room, I didn't feel a single emotion. I just wanted to sit down and stop all these random girls staring at me like I was a warty frog. And what's more, they all looked weird, like they were from Mars. Sure, they still had two eyes, one nose, one mouth and two ears, but the way they had their hair was definently freaky. Some had them long and straight, and others had them in a tie so their hair looked like a brown branch sticking out of a narrow tree trunk. Didn't they know that my 'do was the new thing? Well, maybe it was only in my country... if I could only remember it's name... The teacher, Mrs Keira or whatever told me to sit at the back beside this plain girl called Maxi. It sucks. I hate ordinary stuff. The whole simple Sciene lesson, Maxi stared at me. "Don't you know it's rude to stare?" I asked, but she just blushed, not even removing her gaze. I rolled my eyes and copied down the notes about whales and how they communicated. Maxi eventually stared back at the ceiling, and didn't even copy down the notes. I thought she might get into trouble. I may not feel sad or happy like others, but I do feel for those who are naughty. I snatched her ripped work book and jotted down the notes in a few seconds. She seemed amazed at my speed as I was to those who wrote like snails (a.k.a everyone else apart from me) so I couldn't complain. After science we had I-n-g-l-i-s-h or something. I had to introduce myself to Ms Carmichael, a strict teacher who doesn't put up with any 'nonsense'. Again, my heart almost ached for Maxi, who got a detention. At break, Maxi headed off for her detention, and I sat silently in the corner. Kids came up to me and asked why I didn't eat anything. I told them I have never eaten and they laughed at me calling me a lyer. So I spat a spit-ball at the blond leader and it laded in her sickly sweet yellow hair. She screamed in disgust. I made a run for it.//



Maxi ate her lunch by herself as per usual, chomping on her jam sandwhiches and gazing at the swooping seagulls out the dreary window. Maxi had nothing against seagulls; it was just she saw them so much that she often wished a soaring eagle would apear out of nowhere and entertain her for the lonely lunchtime. Jayne was neatly picking out the tomato out of her chicken sandwhich nearby, chatting loud enough for Maxi to hear her entire conversation. "Did you see Xena?" she gasped. Her fans exclaimed on cue. Jayne carried on. "She shot a stinking spit ball out of her dirty mouth and into my lovely hair! It took me half a period to get it all curly and presentable again! I though new girls were so shy that they showed respect to everyone! Especially me!" "Can I sit with you?" came a doubtful ask. Maxi got a terrible fright and spilt red stains all down her sapphire blazer. Xena arranged herself beside her and looked at her intently. "I'm sorry, do you want me to go away?" "No, not at all." shrugged Maxi, shifting over. Her blue and emerald green kilt stuck to what seemed like chewing gum on the floor. "I sort of want company, you know how I feel?" To her suprise, Xena shook her dainty head firmly. "No. Never. I don't feel, eat or go to sleep. My life is one big day and I never get that pained feeling of hunger. I have never felt what you people call fear, or contentedness. I'm different from you." Maxi was gobsmacked. Well, so would you be if a stranger went up to you and said that. "Um, okay? Yeah, and I can't hear or smell anything....? Wait, what game are we playing?" "No game, Maxi. I'm telling the truth. Another truth is that I really want to be your best friend." Xena was certainly full of wonder. Maxi nodded helplessly, her remaining jam sandwhich cascading to the ground.

//I couldn't believe Maxi said yes to us being friends. I found her so strange yet enchanting, so I hoped she found me that way too. It was exciting having a friendship to work and build on. I was kept on the tips of my hard, ice cold toes for a while, so that I seemed like a wonderful girl.// //My wish worked wonders. Maxi and I became best friends. Conveniently, I lived right down the road from her, so we walked to school each day, whatever the weather. I was tempted to try Maxi's mothers brilliant cooking, but as I can't eat, I was forced to stay out the kitchen. I cant understand why I can't eat, sleep or feel. I guess I'm not like ordinary humans. Oh well, I'm me and that's how I want it to be. You can't tell the sun not to rise in the morning, or the waves not to break on the shore.... Oh my gosh I've been watching too much soap opera at Maxi's. Her Mum's a fanatic. I help Maxi get by all our classes. She can't get over how fast I do work. I can't get over how slow she is. I guess people are right- opposites do attract.// //Okay, I need a little help here. Be my guidance counciller, or whatever Maxi and the others call it. Here goes... I have had this addiction to breaking things. Yesterday I smashed Maxi's stereo and threw it out the window- I don't know if she knows just yet. I also ripped up everyone's test papers this morning, then hid them in a deserted locker. Nobody knows it was me, so I'm safe for now, but what if I can't control my hunger? Help me!//



Maxi yawned. Sunlight blazed in through her open window, and warmed her through her light sheets. It was these mornings that she looked forward to, where it was cool and breezy outside, but a delicate whoosh of hot air would be felt soon. "Maxine! Time to get up!" called the perfect tone of her mother. Judged by the crashes and bangs from downstairs, Maxi thought she was having another famous tackle with the relucant washing machine. Maxi stifled another unnecessary yawn, and stumbled off her mattress and into the hall. She basically sleepwalked down the stairs and out into the garden, heading for the mailbox. It was daily routine for Maxi to fetch the mail like a good little golden retriever for her mother. Her father no longer lived here; he led another 'snazzier' life in Spain. Out of nowhere, Maxi tripped head over heels over something hard and cold. She was sent cartwheeling into the prickle bushes, and retreated all bloody and cursing under her breath. "Dang prickles." However, what she saw had tripped her up suprised her the most....................... Maxi knelt down and turned into Sherlock Holmes. The spiky black thing that had tripped her up was undoubtedly her stereo. Maxi gasped through her dry, crimson lips. Her stereo was no more. Maxi attempted to pick it up, but it all fell to pieces again, splintering her hands with sharp, jagged edges. There was absolutely no way she could fix it. Even her uncle, who was a top mechanic wouldn't be able to save it. Maxi prodded at it clumsily. Suddenly, a CD popped out. Tears prickled in her eyes. It was her favorite Miley Cyrus CD, cracked and scratched like it had been attacked by a tiger. Maxi's mother eventually came out to see what her daughter was up to, and saw the smashed stereo. "Maxi!" she exclaimed. "How can I trust you with your belongings if you are going to treat them like this? Your poor stereo! You're grounded for a month!" Maxi gaped, too tired and sad to fight back. She got ready for school and left, the heavy weight of being grounded sagging down on her. Xena was waiting for her at the school gates, ignoring the sleet. "What is making you so sad, Maxi?" she asked. Maxi sniffed and leaned towards her best friend. "The most horrible thing." she wept. "Someone smashed my stereo and I'm grounded and my Miley Cyrus CD is ruined!" it all came out in a rush. "I'm so sorry!" cried Xena, although not feeling a hint of sorrow. "I can't believe I smashed it!" Maxi was stunned, staring at her best friend, shocked. Somehow, she grasped what Xena was saying, and wheeled around and stalked off in a storm. Xena was intelligent enough to know that it would only make matters worse if she followed and begged for forgiveness. So she headed off to class. At lunch break, Xena was still being given the cold shoulder. She made her way to the cafetaria and sat at a scratchy wooden picnic table. Suddenly, by her side, was Jayne and her possy. "Oh look everyone!" Jayne gossiped loudly in her musical tone. "Maxi's ditched Zara!" She poked her tongue out at Xena and giggled delicately. On cue, her girlfriends laughed sheepishly, and pointed at Xena. By now, everyone at the cafetaria (including Maxi), was concentrating on Xena's reaction. Xena was too fed up with this bullying to play cool now that Jayne had crossed the line. She stepped up till she was the same height as Jayne, and said in a cold, confident tone, "She hasn't. She'll come back, I know she will because she is the only person I will ever trust. Keep acting like a spoilt brat, and your friends will ditch you, yourself."



//"She hasn't. She'll come back, I know she will because she is the only person I will ever trust. Keep acting like a spoilt brat, and your friends will ditch you, yourself.//" //I had said- and immediately regretted it. Jayne's face welled up with anger and frustration, and she turned tomato red in guilt and fury. "Why, you oversensitive, stupdi BABY!" she screamed, and picked up my untouched glass of orange juice. She poured it over my head, staining my blond plaits. At once, a tiny voice in my brain screeched, "NO!!!! RUN!!!!" and I obeyed without thinking twice. Something was happening, and whatever it was, it wasn't good. I sprinted like a cheetah towards the caretakers closet. No one would follow me. Hopefully I would be safe."// //In the closet, I felt my brain whirr and fizz. I got a splitting headache and layed my head between my knees, trying to make the horrible sick feeling mel away. No luck.//



Maxi felt incredibly bad for watching her ex-friend get emotionally hurt in front of the whole school by Jayne, so she stood up, forgot her lunch, and set off after Xena. She followed Xena by following the subtle juice splotches on the shiny tiled floor. She found herself knocking boldly on the caretakers closet. "Wh-wh-who is it?" Xena's pained voice quivered. "Erm, Maxi." Maxi's stomach gave a lurch wondering if Xena would speak to her. "I'm really sorry about what happened before. Can I come in?" "No." "Please?" "No." "For goodness sake, Xena, you're acting like a stubborn five year old!" Maxi sighed and let herself in. What she saw was an unexpected sight that would change her life forever. Xena's skin on her face was half peeling off, revealing not crimson blood and pearly white bone, but a glistening silver steely material. Maxi flattened herself against the closed door. What was this? "Maxi, please let me explain." Xena's voice came out croaky and unfamiliar. "You-you-you're a robot!" Maxi gasped. Now that she had said the word, she felt a little more confident, but still scared stiff. Xena nodded, her forehead glistening in the dim light. "And I have this superstition that I must destroy this school and then graduate to the town! My master will be so proud of me! Her skin flattened itself back onto her face and she looked as if she had just refreshed herself with a cola smoothie- she was just as she had looked before Jayne had tipped the glass of cold orange juice over her. "Move, Maxi." Xena commanded. Maxi leaped out and looked in through the glary window in the door. Xena raised her muscly arm and banged it against the cupboards in the corner. The dusty, ancient, archive books and papers fluttered down, ripping, the wood cracking and turning into splinters. Maxi knew what she had to do. Stop her former best friend before she and everyone else in Dunedin got killed.