Facade

Facade Written by Trinity M. Porter Norman was timid and quiet, just what a bully looks for. Norman follows his conservative household. When pressured about finding a girl to marry Norman’s parents would mentally and physically abuse him if he stated he only loved men. His father who works in business and a small job at the church takes more of a toll than his mother who would bluntly just starve and neglect Norman until he admits his wrongs. Yet no one else sees the truth that happens behind closed doors. Even though that’s not how he really feels. Norman is now 17 in his last year of high school, and the new institution at Norman stays in the shadows. He walked in the school with both his parents followed close by, as if he were a dog on a leash and didn't speak unless spoken too. In the principal's office sat a student with what seemed like blood on his shirt but not a care in the world. Being berated by the head of the school board, aka Principal Henasy. When he was done he sent Scott to sit out in the lounge area with Norman, and his parents walked inside to speak with Mr. Henasy. His name is Scott, the school's notorious bully. He beat up a few students who didn’t let him join a sports team because of his background. Norman, not informed about who this kid was besides the few rumors he heard on the way in, sat there quietly next to Scott as he played on his phone. Norman, sitting lifelessly like a doll, gets Scott’s attention briefly. “Hey, you new here”, Scott ushered but Norman remained quiet and continued to look ahead of him. “Dude, I’m talking to you”, Scott said once more waving his hand in front of Norman's face who blanked a few before looking at Scott. “I.. I am. I apologize for not h..hearing you before.” Norman said hesitantly. “You deaf or something”, Scott asked, chuckling. “No, I just-” “Norman”, a voice interrupted them. Norman looked, seeing his mother’s gaze staring daggers at Norman. Norman stood up and walked away from Scott who watched him walk into the office. At that moment Scott felt a few different emotions. Confused, anger, devious, and happy. Scott seemed to have an extra keen eye for him. The meeting concluded as Norman walked out with a few packets of uniforms and books. His parents were smiling and feeling superior. Norman didn’t look at Scott who called for him, but just ignored him. They walked Norman to his locker where his books would be and let him change his clothes while they took the rest home. Students watched as this wasn’t a norm that happened with new students. But it was clear that Norman would be starting that day and time. The parents gone, a few students walked up to talk to Norman, welcoming him and answering any questions he might have. But Norman didn’t ask for anything, just nodded or shook his head to their questions. First period, Scott sat there staring at Norman the whole time. The class was around an hour and thirty minutes, it only took Scott five minutes to figure out what he would do. He began throwing balls of paper at Norman who still ignored Scott and whatever his antics were. He thought this pain was something he could handle since he’ll just be beaten once he steps foot back in his home. If that’s what it is anymore, he questioned. “Hey”, another male student whispered next to Norman. Norman looked at the blonde student slowly. “Why aren’t you saying anything to Scott, he’s going to keep doing this until you react”, He said slightly looking back and forth between the mess of paper and Norman. “It’s okay”, Norman smiled, picking up the paper and putting them on the table in front of him. “You're a strange kid. My name is George.” Norman nodded before responding. “Norman Jeul”, he said calmly before listening back to the teacher. “Jeul, like a ruby,” George questioned, playing with his pencil now making small talk with Norman. “It’s spelled J. E. U L. My parents thought that, because I'm an only child and make them happy-.” Scott interrupted Norman throwing a half empty water bottle at him, before laughing at the water all over Norman. Norman sighed a bit before looking down again. “He’ll stop once you look at him or try to stand up to him.” George exclaims. “He won’t stop and that’s a fact. I’m just target practice for him.” Norman tries to dry his shirt but slightly becomes see through and George sees some bruises on Norman's chest. Norman quickly puts on his jacket and ignores George when he asks about it. Class ends and Norman gets up about to walk out before George stops him. The empty class makes Norman anxious as George sets his bag down. “I saw the bruises Norman, was that Scott?” George crosses his arms blocking Norman’s exit to run away. “N..No-” “You don’t have to lie to me Norman, I’m class president and want to help every student in this grade and maybe younger, but that’s beside the point.” “It really wasn’t him. I just get bruises easily. B..But thank you for worrying about me George.” Norman said quietly, not looking at George. George stayed quiet before about to hug Norman, Scott walked in with a few others. Norman would consider them dogs like he is. Nothing more or less. “President, are you making moves on the new student?” Scott laughed as well as the others. “Scott, we've been over this. You can’t just pick on new people without a valid reason to defend yourself from a harmful situation.” George stated before grabbing his bag. “Oh, did Mr. Rich guy here not tell you. I felt hurt that he kept ignoring me when I tried to be nice to him first.” Scott proudly said, holding his chest. George looked at Norman who didn’t look at anyone trying to find clarification in everything. “Norman-” “I have to go”. Norman pushed past everyone running down the long halls to his next class. Thankfully Norman was able to avoid both George and Scott until he was leaving, George sat there by the front gates. He saw Norman and ran over quickly, Norman looking around frantically as Geroge hugged him and apologized. Norman, confused, stepped back and stared at George. “Listen George, I can't be here. We can talk tomorrow, i just have to go home.” And with that Norman took off not letting George explain himself.