"Hi, Stephanie. Why are you crying?"
"........And why do you care?
*Sniff*
Shouldn't you be making your way to Classes?"
"In fourty minutes? What's wrong with me taking detours along the way?
*Wipe*
Besides, family is more important than anything in life."
*Ooof*
"It's this School.
One Pearl is changing me, and I don't like it."
"It's okay, Stephanie. Come over here and let's talk."
"I tried to really be nice. I truly did. Almost got through the whole day as well since we were all so busy. I was helping people; they were helping me; and we were all getting along. That was until...."
"Someone recognized you...…like they always do wherever we go?"
"Was only a matter of time. Just wish...…..why does this always happen to me? I went to the Wizardy School to...…to….."
"Shh. It's okay, Stephanie. I'll help you sort this all out. Tongiht I'll go to the Board and get this all straightened out. Pretty soon, this Nightmare will be over...for all of us."
"Promise?"
"Have I ever left you?"
"No."
"...Then why do you leave yourself?"
"Who's there? Who said that? I know you're out there, but…."
"Mom, it's ok. It's the girl that stood up for me in Class. She was the only one."
"Oh.
Well, in that case; thanks for standing up for her. What's your name, and what brings you here?"
"Just want to check in on Stephanie."
"Thanks...….but it's a little late for that."
"Stephanie?
Sorry, my daughter can be quite a little…."
"It's ok."
"So, why are you here now; but didn't stand up for me when Rex hit me?"
"You were in a fight?"
"Yes, mom. I was in a fight. And then I was called out by the teacher to stop. Then the same boy that hit me, now wants me to be good.
I mean, I want to be good; I really do; but....."
"You're bad...…and you're darn good at it.
Theresa is the name, and fighting is the game.
Nice to meet you, Mrs. Taylor."
"Uhhh….nice to meet you too, but…."
"Your daughter....*bopp*......was a…maze….ing.
Her fire, her swords; her determination, and then *Pow*
Those boys never stood a chance.
Great job of using magic and physical together."
"I thought my daughter said you were helping her. Not egging her on."
"Oh, but I was helping her. I was the first person to yell out 'Fight.'"
"Theresa, I don't know why you are happy that my babygirl is fighting again, while I am standing right here, but the Teachers…."
"ARE WRONG!!!! Every single one of them.
They're too nice to push people past their limit; but that is what we need. When you get tired, you have only given fourty percent. Who will be there to give the final sixty?
While they are busy growing flowers, they forget it takes a oooew, gooey, icky sticky worm to make them grow from the ground up.
Mrs. Heartchild. You have a gold mind child, I tell you. Takes a lot to be a Bully.
Trying to reshape a nice kid into a pusher is not easy because their is this word called con…consci….conspirac…
Consciousness!!!"
"That's the word.
They always feel guilty after pushing someone, and then help them stand back up. They set the bar to 'Once you become angry' you have to stop fighting.
Well, I say once you become angry; 'that's when you truly discover yourself.' You control that version of you, and you're set.
Parents won't teach Kids how to stay strong. Teachers are too scared to teach for fear of being kicked. Siblings are too nice so they playfully fight.
The first person that all Kids face in life is a Bully. A bully teaches them about the words 'Never give up,' and reminds you that you are no longer in your mothers womb. You have flown the nest, so now it's time for you to realize other animals exist in the woods.
Without them, when your coach tells you to box out, you will do so as weakly as possible because no one has taught you that your 'Temple' can also be used as a 'Bowling ball.'"
"Did you talk to the Teachers?"
"No.
And neither will any of you.
Stephanie, you are to do what nobody else can. When the Kids step on that training course, they need anger in order to perform their best. Something worth punching out. And I know you can easily find that."
"Theresa, wait.
Before you go, you still haven't answered my question. 'Why are you helping me?"
".......See you tomorrow......Troublemaker."