1977- a short story

1

"In light of the book we will be starting soon, I have a question for you." , Mr. B said, raising his left hand and pointer finger assertively.

Mr. B was perhaps one of the most interesting teachers Lillian had. He could never stay still during lectures, pacing back and forth in front of the class. Watching him for too long would make her dizzy, so she found herself staring intently at the lines on her notebook paper. Mr. B was certainly a character. Although somewhat young, he had been teaching at West Hills High for at least 15 years. During that time, no one referred to him as anything other than 'Mr. B'.

Maybe the reason his class was bearable is because he enjoyed teaching, unlike most of Lillian's other instructors. His style was unique and he made a point of connecting the literature studied to each student's life. Her classmates had mixed opinions of him, some found him dramatic and annoying, but Lillian found herself with a mild affinity towards Mr. B's methods.

"What is something you believe that is unique? That barely anyone else might agree with.", he inquired of the class

Someone raised his hand right away.

"But wait until you have really have thought of something good. I want to hear something new today."

The same guy lowered his hand, just to raise it again a few seconds later.

"Alex you seem well prepared. What is your belief?", Mr. B aimed his hand towards him.

"I think sweet potatoes are delicious. They're possibly the best food to exist.", Alex proclaimed.

At his comment, the class burst into numerous side conversations. Lillian turned in her chair, cranking her neck to face Phoebe in the desk directly behind her. "I can't believe you dated such a monster.", she said in a low tone.

"Well, I broke up with him for a reason.", Phoebe retorted with a grin.

"Alright alright, I can't agree with that one you got me.", Mr. B said above the chatter. "That was good but I really want you as a class to come up with something good. Something deeper. I know you can. I've read your papers and compositions and each one of you is capable of expressing yourself right now.", he continued earnestly.

The classroom was silent again. Nervous glances were scattered among the arrangement of desks.

After a few moments a girl in the front row slowly lifted her arm.

"Yes.", Mr. B dramatically pointed towards her.

"I think it's possible to be interested in anything, if you make yourself.", she stated plainly.

"Ah. Interesting. Thank you miss. Who else will take a stab?"

"Girls are actually more powerful than boys.", a husky linebacker said, squished in a desk that was too small for him.

"And do you care to explain why you think so?"

"Well... I mean... we have to hold doors open for them like we're just obliged to do that. Women aren't obliged to do that."

Lillian felt a grimace creep up onto her face. She didn't see his explanation that thorough.

"We have to work harder to get into jobs and stuff though.", one girl pointed out suddenly.

"Yeah, true. I don't know...", the linebacker waived his arm dismissively.

"But, that's what I'm looking for. Things most people might disagree with, but believe to be true."

"Everyone hates themselves.", mumbled a girl in the back.

No one had ever seen her wear any color other than black. Lillian had forgotten what her eyes looked like too, as jagged bangs covered them. On the bottom of the high school pecking order, she had been subject to various verbal and sometimes even physical assaults that Lillian had witnessed. It was hard for her to watch. It made her wish she was some confident, assertive girl who wasn't so afraid of men so she could do something.

"And what do you mean by that? Expand for us please.", Mr. B prompted, trying to hide surprise at her sudden comment.

"Like, I don't think there's anyone in this world who likes themselves. That's impossible.", she said as if each word required great effort to verbalize.

Mr. B stroked his chin. He had no facial hair but sometimes it seemed as if he thought he did. He was obviously stumped on what to say regarding the girl's comment so he continued awkwardly. "Well... ok. Anyone else?"

Lillian raised her hand. "I believe that is possible for a parent to hate their child. Cause in movies and everywhere you hear parents and they say that they do things cause they love their child when the kid is upset. But I think it's possible that parents do things cause they actually resent their kid.", she rambled.

"Wow. Dark, but good insight.", the teacher murmured.

Around the room, a few heads nodded and murmurs escaped a couple mouths.

She regretted her words as fast as they came out. It was too much. People shouldn't have heard that much from her. Everyone knows that personal beliefs are shaped by each unique life experience.