Ch 6: Standing up to The Bully
Normal POV
JI, Mia, and Traci are talking in the kitchen. Traci is wearing skinny jeggings with a silk tunic and some funky animal-print flats. Antonio walks in with a book bag on his back, wearing a long-sleeved gold plaid button-down shirt, khaki shorts, and sneakers
"Okay, Tony, what's with the getup?" Traci asks.
"I enrolled Antonio at Harwood County High yesterday," JI answers.
"Antonio, are you doing this to protect me or help track down that monster?" Traci asks.
"Both, angelfish, I don't want you to get hurt any more than you already are," Antonio answers.
"Antonio, I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine. I have a bad feeling that those bullies may know about my dyslexia. Trust me, Antonio, none of the thing that they can come up with I haven't heard it before." Traci says.
"Traci, what did they call you if you don't mind me asking?" Mia asks.
"Let's see I have been called dyslexia dimwit, dopey dyslexic," Traci says
"If they were smart enough to look up and use synonyms for the word stupid. Why couldn't they apply themselves to their schoolwork?" Mia asks.
"I asked myself that same question all the time," Traci says.
"I think you two should get to school," Ji says.
Traci leaves to get her backpack. Traci tries to tie her painting to her backpack, but she forgot about her bad wrist. Antonio walks up to her a few seconds later.
"Need any help with that?" Antonio asks
"Sure, that would be great," Traci answers.
After Antonio ties her painting to her backpack carefully and helps her put it on her back then, they leave the room. They get to school ten minutes later.
"I'm going to walk around the school before class starts," Antonio says.
"Okay, I'll stay out here and wait for the Troy and the others to get here," Traci says.
Antonio goes inside. Traci remains at the front steps of the school for Troy and the others. Traci takes off her backpack and sets it on the step beside her. Johnny comes up and unties the painting from Traci's backpack.
"Hey, give that back, I worked hard on that," Traci says.
"Not going to happen," Johnny says
"I wonder what would happen if you dropped it in the puddle?" Matt asks.
"Let's find out," Johnny says.
Johnny drops the painting into the puddle. It makes a small splash when it lands face down in the water. Johnny stomps down hard on the canvas destroying it even more. Traci screams. Back inside the school, Antonio hears Traci's scream.
I know I should have stayed with her. Antonio thinks.
He rushes back outside. When he gets there to see Traci's destroyed painting in a puddle on the ground. Johnny moves to his left and pushes Traci down into another puddle. He hears the bullies laugh as they walk away. Antonio goes over to Traci helps her up.
"Traci, are you okay?" Antonio asks.
"Yeah, I'm fine, but my painting isn't," Traci answers.
Antonio takes off his jacket and puts it on her. Troy and the others arrive. Everyone goes over to her. Noah looks to his left and sees Traci's destroyed painting in the puddle on the ground next to her. Noah picks it up and hands it back to her.
"Thanks, Noah. I guess I'm going to have to give my mom something else for her birthday next week." Traci says.
"You could always make another one," Jake suggests.
"Jake, it took me a day and a half to draw it and even longer to get the paint the exact color I wanted," Traci says.
"Traci, I am sure that you can fix it doesn't look that bad," Jake says.
"There isn't enough time, it's due at the end of class today," Traci says.
"I think I know someone who can fix it," Noah says.
"Really Noah, who is it?" Traci asks.
"My uncle Anthony. He is an art restorer." Noah answers.
'He sounds perfect Noah, but there is only one problem I don't see him here. Unless you can make him suddenly appear. I'm still doomed." Traci says.
Noah leads them to the back parking lot. Then Noah's uncle pulls up in a red 2013 Mazda 3. Everyone is in shock from Noah's uncle's cool car. Noah's uncle gets out and walks over to his nephew. Noah's uncle in his mid-40s is 6'0'', has very long, straight, dirty blond hair and brown eyes
"Hey Noah, so I guess your friends like my wheels," Anthony says.
"Yeah, but I would like you to meet my friend Tracy. She needs your help," Noah says.
"What do you mean Noah?" Anthony asks.
"Well, her painting for art class that she was going to give to her mom. One of the school bullies just destroyed it." Noah says.
"Can I see the painting, for a minute?" Anthony asks.
Traci nods and hands him what is left of all her hard work. Anthony sees the hole created by the bully's foot. He can also see what the water didn't wash away. He sees the mountain in and the starry night sky in the background, the fire in the foreground with a few sparks coming from it.
"Traci, I have never seen a painting done by a high school that looks this amazing. I can see how much hard work you put into this piece." Anthony says.
Anthony sees Traci names written on the bottom right-hand corner of the canvas. The letters are a little sloppy, but still legible.
"It's such a shame that no one else is going to get to see this painting. I think it could have won an award at the school art fair." Anthony says.
"Really? I never won an award for my art before." Traci says.
"You mean you never entered any of your work in a contest before?" Emma asks.
"No, I never thought that they were that good," Traci answers.
"My workshop is just down the block I could have this fixed in time for when I have it back here to talk to art class today," Anthony says.
"So, we are just having a lecturer today about art restoration," Traci says.
"Yes, that is why the school called me," Anthony says.
"Do you think that you can save my painting?" Traci asks.
"Yes, I can. I have restored painting that was in worse condition than this." Anthony says.
"Thanks," Traci says.
Then they all said goodbye to Noah's uncle for now anyway. Then they all go inside to head to science class. Antonio and Tracy are walking down the hall holding hands.
"Traci, I thought you guys need to keep a low profile," Jake says.
"Technically, we are, Jake. Do you have a problem with two teenagers holding hands?" Traci asks.
"No. What exactly are you going to tell people? I mean he just started today." Jake says.
"I already thought of something Jake. I'll just tell people that he is my boyfriend from my old school." Traci says.
Jake doesn't say another word as they walk into Mr. Burley's class. They notice that he wasn't there. They see Mr. Dodson standing in front of the room. He is in his early 30s, is 5'6'', with long, straight, brown hair, and dark brown eyes. Traci and Antonio go to their desk and sit down. The class starts off ok but half though the reading one Johnny tricks Mr. Dodson to ask Traci read out loud to the class. Traci knew the real reason Johnny is doing this. Antonio looks over at Traci and sees the fear in her eyes. Traci looks back over at him, and he has a look in his eyes that reminds her that she doesn't have to do this. Traci takes a deep breath and finds the right paragraph on the page and starts to read.
"From the perspective, we get on Earth, our planet appears to be big and sturby with an endless ocean of air. Flow space, astronauts often get the impression that the Earth is small with a thin, fragile layer of the atmosphere. For a space traveler, the distinguishing Earth features are the blue maters, brown and green lanb masses and white clouds set against a black background. Many bream of traveling in space and viewing the mondes of the universe. In reality, all of us are space travelers. Our spaceship is the planet Earth, traveling at a speed of 108,000 kilometers (67,000 wiles) an hour." Traci says.
"I knew it, she is dumb," Johnny says.
"Yeah, I can't believe she made it this far, and she can't even read," Matt says.
The rest of the class starts to laugh except for Troy, Antonio, and the other Megaforce Rangers. Traci is trying her best not to cry. Matt notices the tears starting to well up in her eyes.
"Hey, she is a cry baby, too," Matt says.
Traci hears the class start to laugh even harder. Traci looks over at Antonio and mouths I'm sorry. She gets out of her desk and runs out of the room. While Traci is running out of the room, she tries to dry the tears from her eyes with her hands. Traci runs to the girls' bathroom. Traci walks in and goes to the back corner and sits down. She covers her face with her hands and continues to cry.
Back in the classroom, Mr. Dodson gets the class to stop laughing by giving them a surprise quiz. Emma walks up to Mr. Dodson.
"Mr. Dodson, I can get Traci and bring her back," Emma says.
He nods, and hands Emma two hall passes. Emma leaves the room. Then Noah gets up from his desk.
"Stop Laughing, ok, you should be ashamed of yourselves," Noah says.
He stops and looks at Antonio before he says anything more. Antonio nods.
"You shouldn't laugh just because someone has a learning disability. All you are doing is judging someone before you even know who they are like. You never want to get to know them because you think that they're stupid. You just assume things, and I bet if that was you. You wouldn't want to be treated that way, so just stop and try to be friends with people like that because that could be any one of us." Noah continues.
Emma walks into the bathroom and finds Traci in the corner still crying. She goes over to her and sits down next to her. After Traci stops crying, she finds the strength to look over at her.
"Hey Emma, you know that you didn't have to leave class," Traci says.
"Yes, I did Traci. You're my friend and friends help each other." Emma answers.
"Emma, did you just say that we're friends?" Traci asks
"Yes, I did, why?" Emma asks.
"Because I never been good at making friends when I went to school." Traci answers.
"How come?" Emma asks.
"Because once the other students found out about my learning disability they just avoided me. They never tried to get to know me." Traci answers.
"Well, they shouldn't have done that. If they just took the time to get to know you, they could see what an amazingly sweet and kind person you are." Emma says.
Emma gives Traci one of her famous best friend hugs. Emma helps her off the floor. Emma takes some tissues out of her purse and handed them to her. After Traci dries her eyes, blows her nose, and throws the tissues away. They leave to head back to class.
They get back to the class, and Mr. Dodson hands them the pop quiz. They go back to their seats and take the quiz. Traci writes the answers with her right hand because her left hand is out of commission. Once everyone finishes the quiz, the rest of the class period went ok.
~~~~~
After the bell rings and the class files out of the room. Traci and the others head to their lockers. After they chat for a bit, the warning bell rings, so they head to their next class. Afterward, it was time to head to Gym class, and Traci still wasn't too thrilled about it. After everyone changed into their gym clothes, Mr. McFadden tells them that they are playing volleyball today.
"Traci, I'm sorry, but I don't think that is a good idea to play with that injury. Mr. McFadden says.
"Trust me, sir it's not that bad," Traci says.
"I appreciate your determination, but I really would just like you to run laps outside on the track." Mr. McFadden says.
"Yes, sir," Traci says.
Antonio offers to go with her so she wouldn't be out there all alone. Mr. McFadden says that sounds like a good plan. While the rest of the class warmed up, Traci and Antonio leave to head out to the track.
"Antonio you don't have to do this, you know," Traci says.
"I know that, but I want to do it," Antonio says.
Traci cracks a small smile. When they got to the track, the plan was to run two laps and walk one lap. They walk over to the starting line.
"Ready, set, go," Antonio says as he starts to run as fast as he does when he is battling a nighlok.
"Antonio, that is so unfair, you cheated. You know that I can't run as fast as you can." Traci says.
"I bet you could if you tried." Antonio yells.
Traci chuckles and runs to catch up with him. When she does, they continue to run around the track in time with each other. After they ran their second lap and started to walk the third lap, Antonio notices a new look on his girlfriend's face.
"Traci, I know that look you get when you have something on your mind," Antonio says.
"I'm sorry Antonio. I was thinking about how my mom hasn't exactly told me why she and my dad got a divorce." Traci says.
"How old were you when it happened?" Antonio asks.
"I was four. Antonio, you don't think my parent got a divorce because of me. I've read online that children are one of the reasons why a couple gets a divorce." Traci says.
Antonio knew that she never likes talking about her childhood to anyone. He also knew that she shouldn't keep all those mixed feelings she has about her parents' divorce all bottled up.
"Do you want to talk about it, if you're ok with it that is?" Antonio asks.
Traci nods. After they run a few more laps, they decide to head back inside to get a drink and to catch their breath. A few minutes later Troy and the others come out of the gymnasium.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Jake asks.
"I was going to tell Antonio about my childhood." Traci answers.
"Traci, is it ok if we hear this too?" Troy asks.
"I guess that would be ok. I mean you guys are my friends." Traci says.
They head back outside, go over to the bleachers, and sit down. Traci takes a deep breath and tells her life story from the beginning. When Traci got to the one memory that she thought she forgot. The tears start to roll down her cheeks. Traci tells them about when she was two. She woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom she walks past the door to her Parent's room, and she hears them arguing. She hears her mom say that her father should stop acting so mean to her. All she wanted was for him to love her. Traci hears her father slap her mother and say that she wasn't his daughter and that she was nothing disappointment to him. He would never love her as long as he lived. Everyone feels their hearts sink as they hear those words. They couldn't believe that her father said that.
"Guys, Traci also told me that all of us and the other back at the Shiba house are the first real friends she has ever had," Emma says.
"Wait so no one at your old school even tried to get to know you?" Noah asks.
"No, they assumed because of my disability that I was stupid and just ignored me," Traci says.
"That's not very nice," Antonio says.
"True, but they were just little kids; they didn't know how much it hurt me when they treated me like that," Traci says.
"Why didn't you tell the teacher what was happening?" Noah asks.
"I wanted to, but I didn't want them to call me a tattle tale," Traci says.
"When did you find that you had dyslexia?" Noah asks.
"Right after I started first grade." Tracy answers.
Noah can tell that Jake wants to ask her a few more questions. He notices that class is over and tells everyone that they need to head back inside. Troy and the others boys head to the boys' locker room. Traci, Emma, and Gia head walk to the girl's locker room. They head to their gym lockers and change back into their other clothes. Then they head to lunch after the bell rings five minutes later.
~~~~~
Traci and the others walk into the cafeteria with their lunches. They find a table next to the window. While they are walking over to it, Johnny trips Traci. Everything on her tray which is hamburger, French fries, a few small paper containers filled with ketchup, and a small carton of chocolate milk falls on the floor. Traci land face down into it. A few seconds later, the whole room fills with laughter. Traci gets to her feet and walks over to Johnny. Traci takes off her ketchup covered glasses.
"Wow, I didn't think that you even had the guts to stand up to me," Johnny says.
"Yes, I'm sick of you pushing me around. You may think just because you're bigger than me you can push me around. Well, I have news for you I'm not the one who is a coward here. You are Johnny. I may not know why you are picking on me or any of the others students for that matter. If you are trying to get people to respect you this isn't the way to earn it. Maybe you were bullied too or something bad may have happened to you while you were growing up. That doesn't mean that you should take it out on everyone else." Traci says.
Johnny gets up from his seat and pushes her back down to the floor. Traci slides along the floor and her bad wrist hits one of the legs of the table. Her heads hit the support beam in between the seats. She winces in pain. Johnny walks over to her.
"Who is the coward now?" Johnny asks.
"It's still you," Tracy answers.
Johnny grabs her bad wrist and pulls her back to her feet. Traci's head hits the bottom of the table hard. Johnny laughs as he lets her go and she drops back down to the floor. Traci feels a little light-headed for a few seconds. Antonio sets his tray on the table next to him. He walks over to Traci and takes hold of Johnny's wrist. Johnny looks over at him.
"You really don't want to do that," Johnny says.
Johnny uses his free hand to punch Antonio in the face. Antonio lets go of his wrist and put his hand over his left eye. Johnny bends down and repeats the same thing he did a few seconds ago. Antonio uncovers his eye and goes back over to help Traci. Troy and the others go over to help Traci too. Some of the other kids that are sitting at the table with Johnny get up and form a human wall to stop them. They try to push their way through but to no avail. They watch as Johnny punches Traci repeatedly in the stomach. They hear Traci's screams of pain. Principal Kane comes in a few seconds later.
Principal Ree is in his early 30s, just below average height, long, straight, brown hair, and dark brown eyes. He pushes his way through the students. Then sees Traci lying on the floor underneath the table against the window and looks to his left and sees Antonio with a black eye. Then he looks back over at Johnny.
"Johnny Duplesis, what is going on here?" Principal Reed asks.
"Nothing," Johnny answers.
"Johnny tripped my friend. Then when she tried to stand up to him, he did this." Antonio says.
"This is the last straw, young man. I'm calling your parents. The three of you are going to my office now." Principal Reed says.
The two teenagers nod. The group of kids breaks apart. Antonio walks over to Traci and helps her up. Then they head to the principal's office.
~~~~~
"Okay, will one of you please calmly tell me what happened?" Principal Reed asks.
Johnny explains to Principal Reed again in detail in his crazy point of view what happened in the cafeteria. Traci just sits quietly in her chair while Antonio tells him what actually happened. After Principal Kane hears the boys account of what happened, he looks over at Traci.
"Miss De La Rosa, do you having anything to add," Principal Reed says.
"No sir," Traci answers.
"Can I say something, sir?" Antonio asks.
"Yes, Mr. Garcia what is it," Principal Reed answers.
"Johnny has picked on Traci for the past three days," Antonio says.
"Is this true Miss De La Rosa?" Principal Reed asks.
Traci answers his question with a simple nod. Principal Reed can tell just from the way Traci conducted herself that she is a good kid.
"Mr. Garcia and Miss De La Rosa, you are free to go. Mr. Duplesis, you need stay put while I'll call your parents." Principal Reed says.
They nod and get out of their chairs. A few seconds after Traci gets up. She starts to feel really dizzy and loses her balance. Antonio catches her in his arms.
"Mr. Garcia, Traci to the nurse's office immediately," Principal Reed orders.
~~~~~
Inside the nurses' office is Nurse Debbie. She is in her late 40s, short and frail, she has very long, straight, dirty blonde hair, and green eyes. She is sitting on her stool in her office restocking the cabinet. Then she hears a knock at her door so she turns around. She sees Antonio walks in her office carrying Traci. She tells him to put her down on the exam table.
"What happened?" Debbie asks.
"Traci stood up to Johnny after he tripped her in the cafeteria," Antonio answers.
"I'll help her after I take a look at your eye," Debbie says.
"I can wait, Traci needs her help more than I do," Antonio says.
Nurse Debbie can see how much he cares for Tracy. She gets off of her stool and walks over to the exam table. She rolls up Traci's shirt slowly and hears a low moan as she is doing this. She sees several bruises on her stomach and they already are black and blue.
"Antonio, could you help me. Can you go over to the cabinet to get the bandages." Debbie says.
He walks over to the cabinet, opens it, takes the roller bandages off the self, closes the door, and walks over to nurse Debbie.
She thanks him and slowly warps the bandages around Traci's stomach. She rolls Traci's shirt back down. She notices the bump on her forehead too.
"That looks pretty bad," Antonio says.
"Don't worry, She'll be okay. Most of the bruises look really bad, but it's nothing to be concerned about." Debbie says.
She goes the freezer, takes an ice pack out, activates it, and wraps it in a rag. She walks back to Traci, sets it on her forehead, and wraps some more bandages around Traci's head to keep the ice pack in place.
"Now that I have helped your friend. Antonio, may I look at your eyes now?" Nurse Debbie asks.
Antonio nods. He walks over to the stool and sits down. Debbie asks him if he can open his eyes. Antonio says yes. She tells him that is good. Antonio looks over towards Traci. Nurse Debbie can see a guilty expression in his eyes.
"Antonio, I have this strange feeling that Traci is not just your good friend. She is your girlfriend isn't she?" Nurse Debbie asks.
"Yes, she is," Antonio says.
Antonio gets up from the stool and walks over to Traci. He looks down at her and uses his right hand to fix her hair. After he does this Traci slowly starts to come around. Traci's eye's open slowly and blink a few times to adjust to the light in the room.
"Hey Tony, where am I?" Traci asks.
"You're in the nurse's office. I'm sorry Traci this is my fault." Antonio says.
"This wasn't your fault. I was the one who was stupid enough to stand up to that creep." Traci says.
"Traci, please don't call yourself that. You were really brave." Antonio says.
"Yeah and look where my bravery landed me," Traci says.
~~~~~
Back in Principal Reed's office Johnny's father Damascus and mother Eva walk in. Damascus is a lab technician in his early 40s. He is above average height, medium, straight, blond hair and dark blue eyes. Eva is an assistant manager in her 30s. She is just below average height, very short, curly, black hair and dark green eyes He asks them to sit down. He fills them in on what happened in the cafeteria. Both parents can't believe the Johnny would do such a thing.
"I assure you Principal Reed we'll have a talk with our son about this. I'm sure aware that you know about the big loss our family suffered a few days ago. I want you to know that is no excuses for his behavior." Eva says.
"Yes, your oldest son Kurtis died in a horrific car accident. Mrs. Duplesis, have you tried to take him to see a grievance counselor? " Principal Reed says.
"Yes, we have taken him to see Dr. Hoai-Thu Truong, but he refuses to talk to talk to her." Eva says.
"I see how long has he been going to see Dr. Hoai-Thu Truong?" Principal Reed asks.
"He has a few sessions." Eva answers.
"Eva remember. Dr. Hoai-Thu Truong told us that it may take a little time for Johnny feel comfortable to talk about this. What is Johnny punishment Principal Reed?" Damascus asks as he changes the subject slightly.
"He'll be suspended for three weeks and he has to write a letter of apology to Traci." Principal Reed answer.
Johnny's parents agree that sounded like a good plan. Then they get up and leave the room to take Johnny home. Principal Reed decides to head to the nurse's office to check Traci and Antonio. When he gets there he sees that Traci is awake. He walks over to her.
"How are you feeling miss De La Rosa?" Principal Reed asks.
"Fine." Traci answers.
Traci hops down from the exam table and takes the bandages off her forehead. She sets the ice pack down on the exam table. She fixes her bangs to cover up the bump on her forehead. She hears the bell ring signaling the end of the lunch hour.
"Well, Antonio, it looks like we are going to have to go through the rest of the school day on an empty stomach." Traci says.
Principal Reed takes a notepad out of his jacket pocket. He writes them a late pass for their next class and tells them to head back to the cafeteria to get some food. They thank him and leave the room.
~~~~~
After they ate lunch they head to English. They give the teacher their late passes and take their seats. The teacher tells the class that they are going to finish watching 'The Pursuit of Happiness'. The class cheer happily as she puts the DVD back in and plays the movie from where they left off yesterday. Traci is happy that she didn't get sent home because she loves this movie. When the bell rings the class groans because the movie was just getting to the good part. The teacher tells the class they will finish the movie tomorrow. Then everyone leaves the room. The rest of the school day flew by, and everyone heads back to their locker to pack up their things.
"Do you two want to come with us to Ernie's Brain freeze?" Emma asks.
"That sounded great but I think that I'm just going to head back home. My head is still a little foggy form that craziness in the cafeteria." Traci says
Tracy and Antonio walk in the front gate Antonio is carrying Tracy book bag. They see Tracy's mom Roslyn with a man. Roslyn is in her late 30s, mid 40slong, straight, blonde hair and blue eyes. The man is in his mid-40s. He is around 5'7'', has medium length, strawberry blond hair, and green eyes.
"Who is that guy with your mom?" Antonio asks.
"I have no idea I never seen him before." Tracy answers.
"Traci, I would like you to meet Wyatt Rollins." Roslyn says.
"It's nice to meet you too sir," Tracy says.
"Traci, you can call me Wyatt. It is so nice to finally meet you." Wyatt says.
Traci nods. A sudden light breeze blows through the yard. Roslyn notices the bump on her daughter's forehead.
"Okay you two, what happened?" Roslyn asks.
Traci explains everything that happened today at lunch. Roslyn was proud of her daughter for standing up to the bully. A few seconds later Traci starts to feel dizzy and faints. Antonio catches her before she hits the ground. Roslyn tells him to take her inside to the recovery room. Wyatt follows close behind very concerned about Traci.