Evie Was Here

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"Ee-Vee Pran-cer"

The classroom erupted with laughter. 

"Dasher, Dancer," 

"PRANCER" 

"and vixen"

"Gotta catch em' all" 

The teasing commenced, as the classmates started to sing out loud. 

"Ev-ee" Evie, now corrected the new English teacher, her voice was stolid, and held no emotion. She looked down at her hands as they balled up, then unfurled. 

"Okay, guys, don't be rude." The Teacher looked around the class with a scowl, then his eyes found there way back to Evie. "I am so sorry, Evie, excuse me. I did not mean to mispronounce your name."  His voice sounded genuine, and apologetic.

He then started to continue naming off the attendance list one by one. Each student would respond with a here, present, or a raised hand in silence.  

"Now, that I have a good idea, who you all are, let me properly introduce myself." The teacher smiled back to his pupils. "I am Mr.Barkley, and I will now be teaching you all English until the end of the school year."

There was a faint barking noise from the back of the classroom, followed by another chatter of giggles.

"Now, I am a bit surprised at you all. One would think people would have some level of maturity in grade 11." Mr. Barkley now protested back. "We are all about... sixteen years old here, not ten. I do not, and will not tolerate such attitudes in my classroom." His voice rose slightly, signifying his annoyance with the rude attempts of his students. "If you all continue with this behaviour, I will have to send you to detention. I do not welcome tyrannical behavior, and will have nothing of it." He said rather sternly.

"This class is going to be a real drag now." Grayson Chambers whispered to one of his buddies. They both quietly chuckled, and Mr.Barkley took notice, but didn't say anything. He gave Grayson a sharp look, before starting the days lesson.

Evie watched and listened attentivly.  Everyone else looked rather annoyed, save the rest of Evie's clique. There was something different about him. As everyone seemed displeased to spend the rest of the year under his wing, Evie was greatfully revered. She  has never seen a teacher stick up to her classmates like that. Nor has a teacher took her side. Something told her, that she was going to actually have a class that she looked forward too. She was even more releaved knowing that English would be this class. She loved to write, eventhough it was in secret. 

She didn't need anyone telling her, how pathetic she was. It also helped to get it out, but there was emotions and feelings she couldn't even share with her parents or friends. There were things that were better off not said or known.

She watched her new teacher faithfully with both her eyes and ears. Mr. Barkley was tall, and lean. He had on  slender rimmed glasses, and a small balding patch, on the top center of his head. His grey eyes looked gentle, and his nose, although crooked, had a nice shape to it. Evie took notice of his snuffer, as she did most people's. Evie, was never particularly fond of her own nose. Often people would tease her about her 'beak', and call her names like "bird face." Or "beakie." As Evie, found her self admiring his almost perfect nose, she felt an odd need to cover her own. She was rather tired of people throwing random bird seed at her. 

Mr.Barkley took notice of Evie shielding her nose. 

"Any thing wrong Evie, you coming down with something. I can give you a hall pass to see the nurse if you wish." He said politely, with concern. Eye's fell on Evie, and the predictable whispers followed.

"No sir, I am fine." Evie meekly answered back.

Mr.Barkley said nothing more, and did not dig, as he could see something overlap on Evie's face. He could read emotions well, and knew she would rather not explain herself. He also could see so much torment behind her eyes. The way she was so harshly treated by everyone else earlier, also gave him some strong sense, of her own ruination. He wanted to be there for her, and teach her that she deserved better. Mr.Barkely knew nothing of this poor girl, except that she was the classic case of a social pariah. Something he was also very accustomed to back when he went to school.

The one difference is he eventually became a rebel, and when he could no longer take the hostility, he fought back. It didn't work well in his favor, but it gave him a level of resolution. He felt powerful standing up to his own bullies. Eventhough the treatments got worse, and his once perfect nose got the shitty end of it all, he felt triumphant. Eventually he took kick boxing classes, and learned to fight better. It wasn't much longer, that people now cowered from him, instead of the latter. He only wished, that this young girl would someday feel the same level of jubilation, that he has was eventually graced with. Could he be the one, that saved her from herself, and the cruelty that so obviously controlled her life. 

Class was done, and one by one the students got out of their seats, and made their way out the door.

"Evie, can we just have a quick talk." Mr.Barkley asked.

There was now an Oooooh, and an Uh Oh, followed by some sniggers as a group of students behind her, mocked her.

"What did I say about pilgarlic treatment." Mr.Barkley said to the degenerates. "This is a final warning, next time you will have to deal with the consequences, and it won't be pretty." His gaze grew cold, as his eyes found theirs. "Now get out of my face, before I reconsider letting this slide."

They quietly left, annoyance and shock casted on their faces. Evie stood their and waited, looking back at her teacher, who now shot her back, a genuine smile.

"I have to apologize again, Evie. I never meant to give these fools ammo. I hope you find it in you, to forgive me." His gaze met hers, and gave her another smile.

Evie quietly smiled back."It's fine, I forgive you. Thank you for sticking up for me." Her voice was low, and shaky, as she looked down at the floor.

"Well thank you, for your forgiveness. I hate to see people get treated like crap. Just know your better then them."

Evie still said nothing, it was obvious to Mr.Barkley, that this girl was greatly destroyed from her peers. He could feel the pain radiating off of her, and his heart pained for her. This poor innocent girl. He knew very well she deserved nothing of this unjust treatment. Sure he knew nothing of her, but he was smart enough to know, that she was not one with a cruel heart. It was always the kind, and vulnerable, that got the shitty end of the stick.

"If you ever need someone to talk to, I will always be here." He said as he lightly touched her hand. Evie gave him a nod, and her eyes grew glassy, as they stayed focused on her feet. "Don't ever think, that I will be like them. I understand what it's like, and I will be here, to help you through it all. "

Evie nodded again, and without giving him a look, she made her way out the door. She then turned back towards him before leaving. A thank you escaped her lips, in a whisper before she left the classroom, and back into the halls of her own doom.

The bell rang, indicating that lunchtime had begun. Evie stood up and started to head towards the cafeteria. She heard whispers, calling after her and calling out her name, but she kept walking.
She entered the cafeteria, and walked over to her table and sat next to her friends.

"Hey, I wish I was there this morning, " said Mickey, his voice booming throughout the cafeteria. "That bitch seriously is going to have it coming one day. And Parker Haynes, hes gonna h
get it. I mean it. I can transfer math classes. I know your in advanced math, but hey, I don't give a ..."

"Brother, please. Your head would explode from all the different equations alone," said Minnie, playfully.
Mickey laughed at that, and said nothing more. They ate quietly for a few minutes until Javier decided it was time for him to speak up.
"So guys. How's your day been?"
"Besides getting humiliated this morning, I guess it was fine," said Evie. "Mrs Touhou got replaced, and think her replacement is going to be a great teacher."

"Man seems all right," said Mickey. "I like his attitude. Dudes got some big balls, I tell you that. Whatever man, it doesnt matter." Said Mickey. "As long as he treats us right, I'm cool with anything."

"Yeah, me too," said Evie.