fandomhigh | Child Development- 1st Period- Class #4

"Morning, everyone," Lily greeted the students after the bell. "I'm sure everyone'll be glad to know that this week there are no crying babies, though I know you all loved and adored them. This week we're going to get a little more into the psychology of things by talking about birth order.

"Alfred Adler was the first person to really put forward the theory that your chronological place among your siblings would have a strong effect on your personality," she went on, passing out this week's handouts. "Which it probably can. I mean, if you're the firstborn and are like, seven years old before you get that little brother or sister you spent years asking Santa for, you're going to have some really different experiences than that sibling who's got an older brother or sister to deal with, especially if you suddenly figure out you really would have rathered Santa gave you a bike instead.

"It's also not an exact science. Like I've been saying about development, everyone's going to be unique. And sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. Now we have blended families. People have stepbrothers and stepsisters, half-siblings... Sometimes they might live with their dad while their siblings live with their mom. And then you have a long time between siblings sometimes. Some people will say that if you have one kid, and then your second ten years or more later, you might as well just lump them in with only children. It's all a fun socio-familial...thing." She paused. "Which is a word I think I just made up, don't write that down."

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"Me too," Claudia said, staring at her results (http://www.blogthings.com/birthorderpredictorquiz/results/?result=ThirdBorn). "'Course, I went through a phase where I thought I was adopted, too..."

John laughed, "I mostly went through a phase where I wished I was adopted, so it's sorta fitting to have that result, huh?"

Claudia laughed. "Did you also want to run away and join the circus?"

John considered Claudia's attire before replying, "The circus was never really an option. Was it a plan of yours?"

"Not really a plan," Claudia said with an oblivious laugh. "It's not like the circus comes through small town Connecticut all the time."

"You'd probably have to run away to New York then," John figured. "Go meet the circus rather than it waiting for you."

Claudia nodded. "But then I'd get distracted by all of the excellent shopping."

"That wouldn't be much of a runaway thing to do," he agreed. "Though your wardrobe might thank you." He wasn't trying to be mean, words simply escaped him.

"Oh, it totally would!" Claudia said. "I always find awesome pieces in New York. Like this sweater!"

"That's a great find," John said, trying to smile and not make faces at her. He wasn't good at not making faces. "So, what sort of Connecticut are you from? The future? One with zombies?"

Claudia's eyes went a little wide. She still wasn't used to those questions. "In the 80s?" she replied. "Nice, normal Connecticut?"

That really didn't explain her clothing. "Huh. I never expect people to be from normal places anymore."

"My roommate says he's from outer space if that helps," Claudia offered.

John grinned, "It does. I'm actually dating an alien." It was fun to say it that way sometimes. "I was disappointed she wasn't anything like the aliens in the movies."

"Green skin? Antennae?" Claudia grinned. "Seven arms?"

"See, that would be an interesting one to bring home to the family," John pointed out. "Try explaining that away."

"I've found that performance artist covers a lot," Claudia recommended.

"Good call! Especially if it requires her to sing something and prove the lie." He was not nice.

"Ooh," Claudia said. "Unless she counters by pretending to be a new form of mime..."

"Ew, I don't know if I could date a mime, even a pretend one. They freak me out."

"Clown trauma?" Claudia guessed.

"Got it in one," John nodded. "It makes running away to the circus kinda pointless."

"Yeah, I can see that. Really bad birthday party, or was big sibling being a jerk?"

"I can't talk about," he said. "The trauma's too fresh."

Claudia blinked. "Really?"

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