work experience ~ s.w

two

I walk as fast as I can to the nearby elementary school. I just about make it through the gates before the sea of children burst through the doors. I take my position in my usual spot and wait for my 9 year old brother to emerge. Soon enough I spot the same tan skin and brunette hair I possess myself.

"Zach" I call out. He looks at the ground as he walks over to me. "Hey cutie"

"Hey Vi" He says sadly. I frown as he continues to look at his shoes. I grab his chin, tilting his face up at me revealing a fresh looking black eye.

"What happened?" I ask him.

"Just some boy in my class" He shrugs.

"What?" I exclaim. I take his book bag from his hand, taking his hand and marching towards the school.

"No please Viola" He pleas.

"No Zach. I'm not letting this kid get away with hurting my little brother." I stomp straight into his classroom, not knocking before entering. I make Mrs Cavenaugh- Zach's teacher- jump slightly as she sits marking papers at her desk. She looks up at me.

"Oh, Viola" She smiles uneasily. "How can I help?"

"I want to know who's been beating up my brother" I say sternly. I'm kind of known around here for marching in and barking orders.

"I can assure you, no harm has come to your brother"

"Then how do you explain this?" I say gripping my brothers shoulders and moving him in front of me.

"What happen Zach? She says softly. My brothers kind of the shy one in class. I don't know if he has many friends.

"Tyler hit me" He says sadly.

"Why?" I ask.

"He says I'm a loser" He replies turning to look at me.

"Awh Zach you're not a loser." I say bending down to his level, he engulfs me in a tight hug.

"Can we please go?" He whispers. I look up to the woman before me.

"I want this situation resolved." I tell her. "If he comes home with another black eye then I'll have to take matters into my own hands"

"Maybe I should have a meeting with your parents-"

"No!" Zach and I say simultaneously.

"We have to go." I state. "Thank you Mrs Cavenaugh." I take Zach's hand and lead him out to the playground. "You can talk to me you know"

"I do" My male mini me protests.

"I'm the only family you've got, Zach. I'm here to look after you and make sure you're happy."

"We have dad"

"But he's not much use, he's either passed out with a hangover or scouring some bar." I shrug. I start walking towards my first place of work.

"He's still our dad though."

"Not when he's drunk he's not"

"Why do you hate him so much?"

"Look, I haven't told you this before but when you were little and mom was still here, Dad used to lash out at mom. He threw a few cuts and bruises my way but I swore on my life that I'd never let him touch you. That's why I'm so annoyed about this black eye. I've spent my whole life keeping you out of harms way and then to see this? It breaks my heart Zach"

"I didn't mean for it to Viola" He smiles. "We're a team. Now let's go get me a strawberry milkshake with marshmallows and extra whipped cream" He laughs cheekily, skipping down the road, swinging my arm in the process.