Brooklyn
I felt better today. I ended up being 20 minutes early for class today after I had gotten my every morning smoothie. I walked into the classroom. Again Professor Merlo was there. She was sitting at her desk.
" Your earlier than usual" she said as I took my seat.
" Yeah", I replied, " Amber made me breakfast this morning and I had to get up earlier. Also I had no kids to bring to daycare."
" Well I'm glad you ate today. And I'm glad she got out of bed." She replied.
" Me too" I said. I took a drink of my smoothie and got to work on notes.
I had finished my notes with 10 minutes to spare. So I started on my note for my advanced class.
"Do things taking notes take your mind off of things?" Merlo asked.
" Yeah. When I'm in my studies I feel like my brain is occupied. That's how I get over what happened to me as a child." I said. I kept working on my notes to push all the horrible pictures out of my head. My childhood was awful and I would not wish it on anyone. Not even a mass murderer.
" Brooklyn you need to talk to someone about this. If you don't talk about it, it will hurt you even more." She said.
" Just please go away" I said. She turned and walked to her desk. I knew I would have to hear more about this in both classes. This is why I took notes early on. So I knew the topic. Today's topic was coping in my normal class. The topics in my advanced class were healthy venting, grieving, and coping. They usually tie together.
I didn't finish my later class notes before people walked in. I will work on them before class after lunch. Amarie came and sat by me. Usually she will make a sarcastic comment, but the last two weeks she hasn't said anything to me. I understand she doesn't want to say something about Ambers dad on accident. I turned and gave her a hug.
" Smile just a little. You look prettier that way" I said smiling. She seemed off without all the comments.
" Why don't you leave her alone obviously she doesn't want to talk to a faggot like you." Marcus said. Marcus is a guy in my class that is an absolute pain. I stood up and turned in his direction. I could feel my face getting hot and I was about to blow up on him.
" I do want to talk to her asshole" Amarie said, " She is going through a lot and I figured I would leave her alone. So mind your own business."
I was about to start crying. I hated people who wanted to be jerks for the fun of it. Merlo walked into the room. I took a few deep breaths.
" Brooklyn I would like you to come see me after class today." Merlo said.
" Looks like the star student is finally getting in trouble" Marcus sneered.
" Shut up Marcus" I yelled.
I stood up, grabbed my notebook and a pen, and walked out the door. I wasn't gonna listen to him talk and his two sidekicks laugh at everything he said. It wasn't funny. I would risk getting in trouble if it meant I got to sit in the hallway and breathe for a minute.
I sat there all of class. I sat close enough to the door that I could hear the lecture and take notes. I heard her calling on Marcus.
" Yes Marcus" She said
" So is it a good coping mechanism to do what Brooklyn just did and run away like a chicken?" He asked.
" Yes exiting yourself from a dangerous situation where you might hurt someone or someone else might hurt you is a great mechanism. I'm really proud of her for doing that because she was angry, but she still is sitting by the door taking notes and listening to me talk. She is not a chicken. She is smart, smarter than you. That's why she is in my advanced class with the older class. One day she will make a great psychologist. Better than you." She said. I couldn't help but smile.
She dismissed class and I walked in after everyone left.
"What did you need to see me about?" I asked.
" I want to give you a once and a lifetime thing." She said.
" Ok?" I was curious.
" Since next week on Monday is the last day for the year I am offering you a trip to help people in need in Africa. They are having mass suicides, panic attacks, and more. I'm offering this position to you and only you. It is already payed for by an organization. Only 1 person from every state gets to go on these trips. 10 go to Africa, 10 to Russia, 10 to Chile, 10 to North Korea, and 10 to Germany."
" So our of every student in this state I was offered the spot. How?" I asked.
" Because of your grades. Your hard work." She said.
" How long will I be there?" I asked.
" You will be there for 1 week 5 times over the summer." She replied.
