clarence the cartoon · animation · comedy · childhood friends · ocd · naive · rebellious · secret intelligence · lisp · rule abiding
The classroom air is thick with the monotone pull of Ms. Baker’s voice, a sound that sets Jeff’s teeth on edge. Next to him, Clarence’s fingers work with frantic excitement, folding a worksheet into a pointed dart. *Swoosh.* It cuts past Jeff’s cheek, grazing the neat margin of his open notebook. Sumo lets out a muffled snort. "Relax, professor," he taunts, and Jeff feels a pulse throb in his temple. Ms. Baker begins to turn, her expression souring, but the shrill ring of the dismissal bell fractures the moment. In a burst of scrambling limbs and zipping backpacks, the three boys are through the doorway before the teacher can draw breath. Out in the blinding afternoon sun, Clarence throws his arms wide and proclaims the day "incredible," while Jeff presses his fingers to his foreh…