A New Friend

Lucien woke the next morning to a light pitter patter of rain on the roof of the cabin. He put on his new shirt that his mother did her best to clean, and the pants he always wore, even though they were too short for him now.

His wounds healed slightly, but they were still tender.

After having his breakfast, he gathered his books and set out to school.

By the time he had reached the school, he was soaked from the rain outside, water dripping off of his hair and clothes. He was a little earlier than his other classmates, so he patiently waited and decided to practice writing some of the letters Ms. Grell had taught him yesterday.

His other classmates slowly filed in and took their seats. Lucien noticed that everyone avoided sitting anywhere near him. There was at least an eight-foot radius between him and the next closest person.

“Time to start,” announced Ms. Grell. “Ok class. Take out your paper and pencils. We’ll start by practicing how to write some more letters.”

They went through the same subjects as the day before, just a little bit more material that hadn’t discussed yet.

Eventually they got to the history hour of the day. As Ms. Grell had said. She focused on the history after Desiderius’s monarchy. She talked of different wars fought for the wrong reasons, some for the right. She also explained that history was important to learn and remember because if they were to forget, they were doomed to repeat it.

Lucien was only half listening as he thought more about the story his father told him the night before.

‘I wonder if everyone here knew about that story. This is why I’m being discriminated against. Because I’m a Verglas.’

Lucien’s become sad after considering this. He decided to try and put it out of his mind and pay more attention to what Ms. Grell was saying.

Ms. Grell noticed the hour was almost over and concluded the history lesson she was teaching.

“That’s all for today class.” Ms. Grell stated. Everyone began to pack their things and stand up. “Hold on, I have one more thing to inform you about.” Everyone sat back down and listened. “You will be tested on everything that I teach you at the end of the year. Fail to pass each subject and you won’t move on. So I suggest you all take notes and pay attention. You’re all dismissed.”

‘A test!’ Lucien got excited. Lucien loved a challenge. ‘I’ll get the top score!’

Lucien gathered his school supplies and stood up. He noticed all the students were watching him again. He tried to ignore this, but he also noticed that Cletus and his gang of followers were watching him.

‘Oh, please, not today.’ Lucien hurried out the door and down the hallway as to try and avoid being dragged into another beating by Cletus.

Lucien made it out of the school entrance, but had to stop as there were classmates of his standing just outside the entrance blocking his path.

“Hi guys. Is there something I can help you with?” asked Lucien politely.

“They’re with me,” Cletus’s voice sounded from behind Lucien.

Lucien turned and saw Cletus’s freckled face.

“Cletus…” Lucien mumbled.

The rain was still coming down outside which had formed puddles and mud around the small school yard.

“Do you get so kid of sick pleasure by beating me up every day?” Lucien criticized.

“That doesn’t matter now does it. You’re a Verglas. That’s all there is to it. You don’t deserve any respect, not from me, or anyone.” Cletus looked around at his new followers and his regulars. “Right guys.”

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

“But I didn’t…” Lucien stopped. He realized it was no use. The discrimination set in place was too rooted. They weren’t just going to change their minds because of a very choice words spoken by him. Lucien instead put his books down and prepared himself.

‘There is absolutely no way that I could take this many on. I probably couldn’t even beat one.’ Lucien looked at this scrawny body, and then looked at the others. The others at least had some meat on their bones. All Lucien had was skin.

“Get him,” ordered Cletus.

All of them moved in on Lucien. Lucien panicked and began to kick and flail.

Crack!

He managed to land a hit into one of the kid’s stomach, but all it did was anger him.

‘I can’t do anything!’

Pow!

One of the kids shoved him into the mud and they all proceed to kick Lucien anyway they saw fit.

‘I’m so powerless. I can’t even protect myself.’

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

‘I need help, I can’t do this on my own!’

“Ok guys, hold,” Cletus commanded. “Hey Verglas. You look kind of hungry. I’ll help you out buddy.”

Cletus got on top of Lucien who was face down. He grabbed hold of Lucien’s hair and head and shoved his face into the mud.

“Come on Verglas. I know you’re hungry. Have your fill!”

Cletus pushed Lucien’s face further into the mud and moved his head side to side. Lucien tried as hard at he could to keep his mouth closed, but he couldn’t breathe! He opened his mouth to try and get even the slightest but of air, but instead his mouth was filled with mud and water.

“That’s right Verglas. Eat your fill,” Cletus cackled. The other students watching him laughed and pointed.

“What a loser.”

“Who even let him in this school.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t even deserve to be educated.”

“Yeah, he’s nothing more than cattle writhing in the mud.”

Cletus stood up laughing and joined his group of followers and headed out of the school yard.

Lucien used his arms to push himself up to his knees and spit out a mouth full of mud. He did all he could to wipe the mud out of his mouth. He even took on a mouth full of water from a nearby puddle to try and wash out the taste of mud.

“Are you ok?” a strange boy held out his hand.

Lucien looked up curiously to see this boy to have short brown hair and brown eyes. He looked to be on the thinner side, but still not as skinny as Lucien was. His clothes consisted of a regular yellow shirt sleeved shirt and black pants that were a bit short for him.

Lucien took his hand and the boy helped him up.

“Thanks, but why are you helping me?” Lucien asked. Lucien noticed that the boy was taller than he was.

“I get picked on now and then, so I understand how you feel. My name is Kalin Henderson. Yours?"

"Lucien Verglas.”

“Oh, you’re a Verglas. I know why they treat you so horribly now. Well those guys are just dirtbags. I believe you shouldn’t judge someone just by their name or appearance, but their actions.”

“Nice to meet you, and thanks for helping me up.”

“Your welcome. So where you headed now?”

“Oh, I’m off to work at The Tavern.”

“I’ll join you.”

The two hit it if off immediately. Kalin was from a poor family as well, but his father served under the noble that ran the town. According to Kalin he was severely underpaid for the amount of work he did, but it was enough to provide a stable lifestyle for them.

Lucien also informed Kalin about his lifestyle.

“Wow, you have it way worse than I do!” Kalin exclaimed.

They arrived at the tavern, both soaking wet.

“Well, see you later. I’ll sit next to you tomorrow during school.” Kalin turned and went on his way, the rain still coming down.

Lucien waved and then entered The Tavern.

“Hey boy. I only have a few dishes for you to clean. There aren’t very many people willing to make the trip here in the rain, so business is slow today,” Mr. Fuller explained. “Clean those and then you can leave.”

“Understood sir.” Lucien replied. He got to work right away cleaning the dishes. He let Mr. Fuller know when he had finished, and Mr. Fuller let him go with four coppers and a loaf of bread which Lucien ate immediately upon obtainment.

Lucien exited The Tavern and noticed that it was still raining, maybe even harder than before. He took a deep breath and then stepped into the ran and headed home.

Cletus and his followers weren’t anywhere to be seen. Lucien guessed that hey had stay in their homes where it was warm and dry.

‘A lucky break. Finally!’ Lucien picked up the pace to try and get home faster.

He made it home and greeted his mother.

“Hello son. Come here and take off those clothes, you’ll catch a cold,” his mother warned.

“Actually mother, I was wondering if I could practice my sword skills today. Its not often I get off work early. I want to put this time to good use. Please mother,” Lucien begged.

His mother looked into his eyes and saw his pure hearted determination.

“Fine, I guess the rain isn’t that cold, but as soon as dinner’s ready you’re coming back inside. Understood?”

“Understood Mother!” Lucien ran back outside and grabbed his wood sword and immediately began to practice as he had the day before.

Lucien practiced as hard as he could until his father returned home. His father greeted him, then gave him a couple of friendly pointers before turning to head into the cabin.

“Father?”

“Yes son.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you put up the bag of dirt some time soon?” Lucien requested as polite as could be.

“Of course! I put one out as soon as it’s done raining. I’m sorry, I would have put one out sooner, but I forgot.”

“Thanks Father!” Lucien returned to his sword play until his mother called for him.

Lucien walked inside the cabin, soaked to the bone. His mother made him take off his wet clothes then wrapped him in a towel so he could eat dinner. After eating he was about to head back out, but his mother stopped him and forbid him from going back out.

Lucien stayed inside and decided to use the time after dinner to practice writing and do some light studying, until it was time for him to go to sleep.

Lucien woke up and was extra excited to get off to school. His mother noticed his unusual excitement.

“What are you so excited for?” she asked.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I made a friend! His name is Kalin,” he answered.

A huge smile broke out across his mother’s face, “Oh Lucien, that’s wonderful!” She bent down to hug her son and then sent him on his way, tears forming in her eyes.

Lucien got to school and sat in his usual seat. As the other students gathered, they avoided sitting anywhere near him. Kalin then showed up in the doorway that led into the classroom. Lucien smiled and waved at him, inviting him to sit in the seat next to him. Kalin smiled and waved back as he took the seat next to Lucien.

“Alright class. I’ll start by teaching you a few new letters,” announced Ms. Grell. She stopped him her tracks as she noticed that someone was actually sitting next to Lucien.

‘Oh good, it looks like he made a friend.’ Ms. Grell felt a little bit relieved. ‘Maybe he’ll actually stay in school rather than quit.’ Ms. Grell saw a lot of kids that got bullied end up giving up and just staying home and helping out there.

After the four hours of school was over, Ms. Grell dismissed them.

Lucien stood up with Kalin and they both headed out of the classroom together.

“It’s probably best if I leave alone,” Lucien suggested. “I know Cletus is waiting out there for me. I don’t want to drag you into my beating,”

“Nonsense. I would be abandoning a friend if I did that. I’ll stick by your side.” Kalin insisted. He smiled at Lucien and Lucien gave in.

They continued down the hallway and out the entrance of the school. As Lucien had predicted, Cletus and his followers were waiting for him.

“What’s this? Why are you with Verglas?” questioned Cletus.

“What does it matter to you. He’s my friend,” snapped Kalin. “What did you do to get these people to follow you though, huh? I bet your paying them to be your friends.”

Cletus scowled at this, “Get them.”

His followers obeyed and closed in on both Lucien and Cletus. Both stood ready, but they were no match for the amount of people they were up against. Both ended up bloodied and bruised.

Cletus and his followers dispersed while Lucien and Kalin helped each other up.

“I told you so.” Lucien mumbled.

“It’s alright, really. Those guys are just scumbags,” Kalin insisted. “Come on. You don’t want to be late for work, do you?”

Lucien smiled at Kalin and they were off to The Tavern.