He Never Remembers

In the Beginning

I was eight when we moved. It wasn't the first and wouldn't be the last, but it was my favorite one. I was going to have to start at a new school. I didn't know anyone and I was scared as most would be. When my mom took my sister and I to meet the principal, I never once let her hand go. We walked through the doors to a tall blonde lady. She smiled, it's a smile I still love.

"My name is Mrs.Flemming, what's you're names?" She asked, still smiling.

"Wren. That's Dana." I answered for the both of us.

"Spectacular" she responded.

I remember her walking us around the school, showing us the classrooms. She talked to mom while I inspected each one. I had no idea I was going to meet them there. No idea who I met would be so close to me.

The first day at my new school was terrifying. I remember walking the mile hand in hand with mom. When we stepped onto the pavement at Saritoguh everything got loud. Kids screamed everywhere, it was a lot for me. Mom scrambled to get me with my new teacher. She said goodbye quickly and left for work.

She worked a lot. She had to, so did dad. I wasn't glad that day though, I was scared. I looked up at Ms.Bucholtz, she looked angry. I later found that's how she always looked. Disgust crossed her face as she pointed at me then to the back of the line. She said something I couldn't hear, but I took as go to the back. I did.

I walked to the back, trying to shrink inside myself while the other kids talked to their friends. I didn't have any of those yet. When I got to the back I stood behind a tall boy. He was dark skinned with dark hair and looked about as cuddly as a cactus. Until he looked over at me and smiled. I smiled back. I didn't know it yet but he was going to be family.

I didn't talk to anyone all the way up the the class. I looked at the boy's shoes the whole way up. Following them right into the class. When we got in, there were probably 20 other kids. I was nervous and shaking, but everyone else seemed fine. Ms.Bucholtz was going to make us play those 'get to know you' games, I could feel it. She did. Everyone went around the circle. Everyone says, my name is... my summer was... I like to... my favorite color is... I didn't watch or listen, until cactus boy went.

"My name is Al, my summer was boring, I like nothing, my favorite color is none" he said as if he had better things to do. He was interesting, he seemed happy a bit ago. Now bored and his name was Al. Now I wouldn't have to ask. Not that I would've.

The teacher coughed and I realized I was supposed to go. Everyone laughed. I reddened and looked at Al. Not laughing but smirking. I let out the breath I held.

"Wren, it was bad, I like soccer I guess, maybe pink?" I said it quick as possible and hid my face in my jacket.

As soon as everyone went she put us in out seats. I didn't listen until I heard my name. She pointed to a seat at a round table near her desk.

"Next to Wren, Al, then Cody, then Allayah." I was excited and scared all at once. I walked slowly and sat looking for the others. Al and Allayah were next to me, with Cody between the two. Allayah had brown frizzy hair and pale skin. Cody had blond hair and pasty skin. They both had freckles.

I looked over to Al and he was frowning again. He was looking at Cody, and Cody was loud-mouthing right at us. It made me laugh a little that I wasn't the only one who didn't like the noise. I spent the rest of the day in my seat ignoring everything and everyone.

It went on like that for most of the year. I don't remember most of it except that our teacher should always be referred to as Ms.Bitch and that Cody could never shut up. Those two things contributed to my first experience of close up violence.

Al hated Cody, you could tell. Cody didn't care, you could tell. As a second grader my attention span was small but I remember every second after he grabbed him. Cody had been annoying Al as usual. I didn't pay any mind. Until Al started talking angrily.

"Shut up"

More Cody talking.

"Shut up!" Louder this time.

More Cody talking.

"Shut up!" Al yelled.

More Cody talking.

Al got a look in his eyes, one I never want on me. He jumped out of his chair and grabbed Cody by the neck. At this point Allayah and I were screaming for the teacher. What was she doing you ask? She was talking on the phone. While one of her students was being choked. Everything slowed down as the white of Cody turned red. We yelled at Al but he didn't stop. He shook Cody and I cried. I was scared.

That's when Mrs.Flemming walked in with Mr.Rust on their daily check up. They rushed to the two. Mr.Rust pulled Al off and away. Out of the room. Mrs.Flemming took Cody to the nurse. The rest of us were left in shock. I didn't know a kid could do that. I didn't think anyone would ever do that. So we sat in silence for the day. After that Cody never came back, transferred schools I hear and Al was gone for a week. When he came back his eyes were back to the dark brown they were before. The rest of second grade went by in a snap, me more aware of Al than before.