.:Life As it Should Be:.

Nearer to The Edge

(This story is old. I may re-do it.)

Baltimore was nervous to the point of shaking. The school year was closing, and too fast to his liking. Sure, the kids were annoying, but it was a specific member of the staff he'd be missing.

The Principal.

The math teacher had endured quite a bit that year in the school. Bullying of all sorts; shaming, name calling, and even physical damage to the classroom and teacher alike. Desks were etched with words like  

"If you had any sense, you'd die just like the others like you."

"Mr.Baldi" had dealt with it all year since the kids in his class had caught onto his whole deal. If he could,  (and he wished he could, very much) he'd change. He'd be like most guys and like a lady. But he couldn't just change. Many times over he'd had to call in The Principal in to finish the class, leave the classroom, and fight the growing urge to cry. Most of the time, the Janitor, which many called 'Sweep' would find him. The Janitor was kinda creepy, but he was kind to Mr.Baltimore. He'd help him stand and catch his breath. From this guy, Mr.Baltimore had learned quite a few effective breathing exercises and meditations, even if he was creepy.

The Principal didn't mind how Baltimore handled it. It was how he did life, if he needed that to overcome that whole Anxiety Disorder thing, he'd let him. He always wanted to spend more time with the kids anyway instead of just monitoring the halls. It was much less lonely, plus simple math wasn't that bad. 

"And now, the everlasting shame of our school!" One of the kids calls as Mr.Baltimore enters the room. The teacher kept his head down and held to the insides of his green sweater sleeves. "Why don't you just quit? We hate you and math anyway..."

Baltimore kept his head down as more slurs came his way.

"Disgrace

Disgusting

Embarrassment

Doesn't deserve to live."

The math teacher's mind went blank as he reached for his metal ruler, not realizing what he was doing.

More insults came, both from the class and the teacher's mind.

"Disgusting queer!

It's unnatural...

QUIT! LEAVE THIS PLACE! 

DEMON SPAWN!"

Before he could control himself, the ruler was in his grasp, then in a flash slapped against the chalkboard.

That'll shut them up for a while, the teacher thought. Nicely done.

Most of the teens were now shaking with disbelief. They didn't want that to be THEM, so they decided to shut up. The teacher continues his lecture until about the middle of the class, where he had to collect papers. As he passed, he heard kids whispering gossip as they did.

One kid raised his hand to question. "May I go to the bathroom?" The teacher nods, and the kid stands and begins to pass. As he does, he growls out a quick "Idiot." As he passed.

Before he knew it, The Principal of the whole thing was in front of him. He seemed angry, very angry, but not at Mr.Baltimore.