Beyond The Coral (A Luberto Story)

Chapter 11- The Underdogs' Decisions

"I have a proposition for you."

The way Mr. Bernardi spoke intrigued Luca. It was vague enough that Luca had to know more.

"You have a... 'proposition.' For me?", Luca spoke with a long pause between each word.

"Exactly right," Mr. Bernardi responded, leaning back in his chair. "Would you like to hear it?"

Luca settled on an answer that he wasn't even sure of, "Sure, why not."

"The school board has made some... changes... to say the least— some good— others I don't agree with," Mr. Bernardi explained, "but fortunately, I get to discuss one of the good ones with you. The school would like to introduce a student council; have you heard of that before?"

Mr. Bernardi continued to speak before Luca could answer.

"It will consist of a select handful of students, some from each grade," Mr. Bernardi explained. "Its purpose is to allow the students to have more of a say in how the school functions, and the student council, the school board feels, would best represent the views of the student body."

Luca squirmed in his seat, "You... want me to be in this? Is that why you brought me in here?"

"That's right. I hope that's okay," Mr. Bernardi said. "We were told— us teachers— to propose the idea to anyone who we thought might be interested. And to be quite blunt with you, Luca, I think you'd be perfect for it."

"Is it because I'm a sea monster?" Luca asked. He immediately regretted asking the question so abruptly.

"Well... I'd be lying if I said that didn't have something to do with me asking," Mr. Bernardi admitted. "Is that such a bad thing, though? The student council has to be people the students can relate to; that includes all types of students.

It didn't take Luca long to understand what Mr. Bernardi was saying.

"But, I'm the only sea... monster..."

His voice started to trail off as he saw the look on Mr. Bernardi's face. He was grinning ear to ear, and it looked like he was dying to say something.

"Or so you thought," Mr Bernardi said. "But not anymore."

He scooted his chair in closer, leaning his body closer to Luca as well.

"It may not be a very good idea to tell you this, Luca, but you aren't the only sea monster attending this school this year. If I'm remembering correctly, we should have about... 11... 12 more?"

Luca's mouth stood agape. Sure, he knew that sea monsters weren't treated as horribly as before, nor were they being religiously outcasted from society at such a high degree. But he never really thought about another sea monster ever attending the school. He was so used to being the only one and the one student who stood out from the rest. Obviously, he knew Alberto was one of the new sea monster students. There was only one question that remained: who were the other sea monsters?

"Don't you remember how it was last year?" Mr. Bernardi asked. "You were frightened, and rightfully so. It was an entirely new environment, one you had never been in before. And I'm sure these new students feel the same way. They need someone they can look up to, someone they can go to for help. I do not doubt that our other students could help them, but I think you should be that resource for them. After all, you've been through this already."

Luca spoke quietly, "I'm not sure if I'm 'leader' material, Mr. Bernardi."

"You won't have to hang from the ceiling and show your leadership for the world to see, Luca. You won't even have to put yourself out there too often," Mr. Bernardi said as he rested his chin in his hand. "I don't know what exactly being a member of the council would entail. But there is one thing I know— having your input in the student council would be of great benefit to the whole school, especially for these new students."