The Stompers

Figure in the Rain

Ever since Alice learned that each blade of grass on Earth is alive, she hasn't stepped anywhere except the sidewalk. Fortunately, these walkways were abundant in her suburb and appeared in a neat and orderly fashion, lining every street. Allowing her to walk to her elementary school without needing to step on anything living. Although her hometown was rather diminutive, it was paved with great care. Alice enjoyed imagining that the well-paved streets brought a smile to the old mayor's face. He was always so keen on them. Her parents did not believe her, but she didn't care. Alice liked to think there were things in the world that make even the most cynical of people smile. And she was perfectly okay with feeling like the only one who believed that.
On her way to school one day, she rigidly followed the cement path people put blood, sweat, and tears into making. Two older kids bumped into her as they ran past, deeply focused on finishing whatever little race they were playing before the bell. They were male and wore similar jeans with random T-shirts displaying some band or something. They were a year older and were so similar they could only be distinguished by their hair. One had a messy head of dark black hair, while the other one sported an untamable curly mass of Auburn hair. Alice never knew their names, nor would she ever care to. She just called them The Stompers. Troublemakers who would stomp on kids' happiness just as easily as grass for their own amusement. They never picked on Alice, probably because they didn't know she existed, but it always broke her heart when she saw them bullying other kids. That day, just like always, they cut the sidewalk and stomped through the grass. Alice thought about how much that would hurt. To be stepped on so many times by beings who didn't care enough to know that you were alive. That was when something flashed across Alice. She had no idea what it was. No way of understanding the emotion that flickered in her head for just that second. But she knew it was there. But, even more strangely, she suddenly knew that it would rain today. Terrible things always happen when it rains.

A bustle of unintelligible voices filled the hallways of Grant Park Intermediate School. Some laughing, some yelling, most just having normal everyday conversations. Mixed amongst these was the chaotic stomping of feet against the marble, of lockers opening and closing, and of one poor boy who dropped his books. He quickly and quietly picked himself back up before anyone had even the notion of helping him. Not that any of them would've chosen to. When Alice finally got to her locker, hung up her bookbag, and grabbed what she needed for class. Most everyone was already there. Mr. Red's English class was just as large as the other core classes. Every seat was filled, and every person had an assigned place to sit. Of course, his name isn't actually Mr. Red. That's just a nickname the students gave him. He's the coach of the school's basketball team. His passion for the game comes through during the heated matches, but the results speak for themselves. Grant Park currently holds the title of "unbeatable," and will never let it go without a good fight. But, that's not what eleven-year-olds notice. To them, he's just a teacher they see yelling on the side of the court until his face turns red.
Mr. Red wasn't in class yet. So, the entire room was alive. The chaotic spirit of the hallway echoed in this room. Alice carefully picked her way to her assigned seat. She sat at the very end of the classroom, a giant window allowed the sunlight to warm her neck. The art bag and workbook she was carrying softly settled onto the desk. Being at the very end of the room, all Alice could see were the other kids. A group of girls collected together in the very front of the classroom. They were speaking quieter than the rest of the room. Alice couldn't understand what they were saying. Small sets of boys were scattered around talking to each other as well. Alice could make out some words like Minecraft and WWE. Stuff she didn't really care about. However, one interaction made her stiffen. The Stompers were in the corner across from Alice. A much smaller boy sandwiched between them. He's one that Alice didn't know too well, but always wore a friendly face. He was frantically trying to get back a colorful little notebook that the Stompers were throwing between them. The front cover had a picture of a cute puppy on it. The younger boy was trying his best, but compared to him, the Stompers were like NBA players. No one else batted an eye. Everyone was so wrapped up in their own conversations. Nobody cared but Alice.
Mr. Red marched into the room the second the bell rang. He told everyone to settle down and that class was starting. All the students began crisscrossing the room trying to make their way back to their seats. Alice didn't take her eyes off the Stompers as they let the kid's notebook flop to the ground. He ran over to pick it up and the three meandered to their assigned seats. One of the boys, the one sporting the wild auburn hair, stuck his foot out to trip their notebook-clutching target in one final act of spite. The notebook boy stumbled a little but didn't totally wipe out. A look of amusement flashed on both of the Stompers' faces.