Tommy decided not to go to the library. The cryptic message felt more like a trap than an offer of help. He figured it was best to finish his last class and head back to his rundown apartment.
His final class was held in the school's art gallery, a place he hadn't visited before.
As he walked towards the gallery, lost in thought about the day, he suddenly collided with someone.
"Watch where you're going, pal!" a voice snapped.
Tommy looked up and froze. It was the devil's spawn.
Benjamin's icy, bizarre eyes bore into Tommy's, filled with disdain. "You again, huh?," he muttered, brushing off his clothes as if Tommy had contaminated them. "Now I gotta take a bath."
Tommy felt a flutter in his chest at that instant, but he didn't want to acknowledge it. He refused to believe he was falling for the devil's spawn again, not with those otherworldly eyes that seemed to see right through him.
Tommy took a step back, his heart racing. "Sorry 'bout that," he muttered, trying to avoid further confrontation.
Benjamin sneered, "Just stay outta my way." He turned and walked off, leaving Tommy shaken.
Gathering himself, Tommy continued to the art gallery, determined to get through the day. He found a seat at the back, hoping to blend in and shake off the unsettling encounter.
The teacher, an older man with paint-splattered clothes, was discussing Renaissance art.
He gestured towards a large painting. "This piece, students, is by Michelangelo. Notice the detail and the emotion."
Tommy tried to focus, but his mind kept wandering back to the earlier encounter. Why was he meeting that guy again and again?
He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice the teacher approaching him. "And you, new student," the teacher's voice broke through Tommy's reverie, "what do you reckon of this painting?"
Tommy looked up, caught off guard. "Uh, it's... beautiful," he stammered, feeling the weight of the room's attention on him.
The teacher nodded, somewhat impressed. "Beautiful, ain't it? Can you elaborate on why?"
Snickers rippled through the class, and someone whispered, "Does he even know what he's talking about, I wonder?"
Another voice chimed in, "Probably thinks it's finger painting or something."
The teacher frowned and raised a hand to quiet the class. "Enough, all of you. Let him speak, for goodness' sake."
Tommy swallowed hard. "The emotion in their faces... you can feel what they're feeling, man."
The teacher nodded, somewhat impressed. "Alright then. Let's continue."
As the class proceeded, Tommy tried to absorb as much as he could. The art provided a small escape from the harsh reality of his situation.
Before class ended, the teacher shared a piece of paper with all the students.
"Listen up, everyone," he announced, holding up a colorful flyer. "There's a painting contest coming up, hosted by yours truly. It's part of our seasonal contests here at Shan'titon High School."
He began passing out the flyers, each student taking one with varying degrees of enthusiasm. When he reached Tommy, the teacher handed him a flyer with a small, encouraging nod.
Tommy glanced at the flyer, his heart sinking a little. Painting wasn't his thing. In fact, he had never even held a paintbrush before. Them, blacks didn't have the privilege to do such luxurious things.
The flyer detailed the contest rules, the theme, and the deadline. The other students immediately started discussing their ideas, their excitement palpable.
Despite his lack of interest and experience, Tommy still took the flyer. It felt good to be included, to be treated like the others, even if it was just a piece of paper.
As he tucked the flyer into his notebook, the teacher gave him a reassuring smile. "Give it a shot, Tommy. You might just surprise yourself."
Tommy nodded, appreciating the kindness. When the class finally ended, he was more than ready to escape.
Two steps out of the school building, but still within the school compound, he was suddenly yanked back by the collar of his shirt.
"Yo, black boy!" A stranger's sneering face appeared in front of him, his eyes gleaming with malice.
Tommy's heart raced as he realized he was face to face with one of the many students who seemed to harbor a grudge against him already.
Other students had begun glancing and watching them, some with blank faces, others excited. Tommy was sure that the excitement was because they couldn't wait to see him get beaten up by their fellow white classmate.
The stranger's grip on Tommy's shirt tightened. "You're the new kid, huh? Think you can just waltz in here and steal our attention away?"
Tommy's mind raced as he tried to process what was happening. He had never been in a fight before, and he didn't know how to defend himself.
Back in Kentucky, if he was having a fight with the boys, Tito and Snoop, his friends would usually come to his aid.
So he was never afraid there but here, with whites in the hunt for black blood, he was a prey and no Tito or Snoop to defend him. Even if they were here, they were blacks too!
Suddenly, a voice cut through the tension. "Hey, leave him alone, Nigel!"
Tommy's eyes shifted to see a tall, athletic-looking student with messy brown hair and a cold smile. "He's new here, just trying to fit in, okay?"
Nigel sneered at the newcomer. "Mind your own business, Cedric. This doesn't concern you, alright?"
But Cedric stood his ground, his eyes locked on Nigel's. "I'm making it my business. Let him go, right now."
Nigel snorted but released Tommy's shirt, shoving him backward. "Fine, have it your way. But this ain't over, black boy."
Tommy's heart still raced as Cedric stepped forward, his eyes never leaving Nigel's face. "You okay, Swine?" he asked gently.
Tommy nodded, still trying to process the sudden turn of events. "Y-yeah, thanks. I..I owe you one, man."
Cedric chuckled then rolled his eyes, disdain evident on his face. "Owe me? Oh, you can never pay me back enough, buddy. Just be careful of the not-so-friendliest bloke in school."
"Oh," Tommy could only nod. How could he even expect to have a friend here when everyone keeps looking down on him?
"And why didn't you come to the library after seeing my note?" came the next statement.
Tommy's eyes widened in surprise. "Your note? Thought it was from... Forget it, man.I didn't see no note from you. But I did get a note telling me to meet someone at the library after school, you dig?"
Cedric's eyes narrowed. "Who was the note from?"
Tommy hesitated, feeling a sense of unease. "It was anonymous, man. But it didn't seem like much at the time, you dig? I figured it was either some jive turkey or my student tutor."
Cedric flicked Tommy's forehead, "You knucklehead! I'm your school tutor, and I sent the note!" he exclaimed, wiping his finger with a mock grimace. "I've dealt with a black swine!"
Tommy: "you?!"