Chapter 9
1604 Words
Chapter 9
Like what his father told him, he didn’t go home that Sunday. What Atticus didn’t expect is when Monday came and his father is still not going home. He’s been calling him since yesterday; he’s asking if when he is going to come home.
Atticus went to the school early. He has an 8:00 am class and they have a recitation. He’s nervous because he remembers Dalton’s words when he met him at the supermarket last Saturday.
“I-I-I really don’t have money, D-Dalton, I am just h-here because my father told me to buy groceries. I am s-saying the t-truth.” He said stuttering.
Weak! You can’t even look at the man straight into his eyes! What a coward!
He told himself. Atticus closed his eyes for seconds and when he opened it he saw Dalton looking at him. He looked behind him and he saw some people, he’s sure Dalton will not going to do something bad because if he did some people will stop him now.
“Why are you looking behind, weak Atticus?” Dalton asked.
“Stop it, Dalton, you are being mean again. What did this guy did to you to treat him like this, huh?” the girl said.
It seems like the girl is Dalton’s girlfriend. Atticus saw Dalton looked at him sharply.
“Be thankful that I am with my girl, weak Atticus, because If we are at school, I will punch you straight in your face, annoying freak.” Dalton said and they left with his girlfriend and the two boys.
He sighed. He should stop thinking what happened. Maybe Dalton already forgot about it.
“Good morning, Class!” their professor greeted them.
“Good morning, Professor Gianna!”
It was their history subject now. He remembers what happened last time. He passed the preliminary exam and Miss Gianna congratulates him for passing. Even though his classmates mock him and told that he cheated the fact that he knows that he work hard to pass is what matters.
“Search for the timeline, facts and important details about the renaissance period. That’s our next topic.”
“Okay, Class good bye! Congratulations for passing the preliminary exam!”
Then last night before he went to sleep he read about the renaissance period because he remembers that Miss Gianna--their professor told them to search for the timeline, facts and important details of it.
In case that they will have a graded recitation right now, Atticus can answer the questions because he studied hard last night.
“Please take out your notebook and ballpen and copy the following question that I will write on the board.” Professor Gianna said.
Atticus and his classmates take out their notebooks and ballpen. He saw from his peripheral vision that his seatmate was looking at him while smiling then he leaned closer and talk.
“I love your new eyeglasses, weak Atticus; I will love to break it later.”
Atticus closed his fist, he wouldn’t let anyone takes his glasses away. They are starting again.
“Tristan, what are you saying to Atticus? Please focus on the class.” Miss Gianna said.
“I do not tolerate bullies inside my class, if I caught you bullying any of your classmates; expect me to take an action. Being a bully doesn’t mean you’re strong. Being a bully doesn’t make you shine you will just show how bad a person you are.”
Atticus saw Tristan bow down his head and distant himself. He wanted to thank Miss Gianna that time for standing for him.
“Class, you are not high school anymore, act your age. Learn to respect.”
After that no one dared to talk. All of his classmates are quiet while they are writing the topics on their notebooks.
“Okay, before we proceed to the discussion, can someone tell me what the meaning of renaissance is?” Miss Gianna asked,
“If you want to answer just raise your hand.”
I know the meaning! I read it last night, ‘Renaissance is a French word meaning “rebirth.” It refers to a period in European civilization that was marked by a revival of Classical learning and wisdom.’ I can still remember!
“Anyone?” Miss Gianna asked again,
“Before I left last Friday I told you that our next topic is renaissance right? And I also told you to make a research about the timeline, facts and important details of it.”
Atticus breathes in and out and before Miss Gianna would talk again he raise his hand.
“Yes, Mr. Fherin?” Miss Gianna asked and smiled at him.
“Renaissance is a French word meaning “rebirth.” It refers to a period in European civilization that was marked by a revival of Classical learning and wisdom. For additional information the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science.” He said.
All of his classmates drop their jaw. They didn’t expect that the i***t Atticus they are calling didn’t stutter while saying the definition of renaissance.
“Wow! Very good, Atticus! You really study about renaissance, I’m impressed! Okay you may now sit down.” Miss Gianna said.
Atticus adjusted his eyeglasses and pulled down his shirt.
“Did he really recite that long? I mean, am I hearing it right? Atticus the i***t?”
“Girl, yes! He’s the one who recite. You are not wrong; we heard it all right that he’s the one who answered.”
“Tsk, he’s loving the spotlight, I will break the light later.”
Atticus blows a breath. They will never ever accept that, his classmate will never accept that he can answer questions and pass the exams or even activities. His classmates always degrade him and told him that he’s and i***t. Maybe that’s the reason why he stopped studying, he stopped proving that they’re wrong because inside the classroom he has no one beside him to defend him,
He only has himself.
“Quiet! Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves class? Are we going to have another lesson for you to learn? That you need to respect your classmate? That you need to respect Atticus? Don’t be a kid and envy him after he answered. Next time read your books; open your cell phone and research and do not just waste all your time browsing on you social media accounts.” Miss Gianna said.
When the class went on Atticus never answer questions again even if he knows the answer from Miss Gianna’s questions. He just remain silent He doesn’t want to be the center of attraction again because he knows that later some of his male classmates will beats him if he continues to answer.
“Please, next time, when I told you to make a research, make a research okay? So that you will have a grade on our recitation. The recitation is 20% I hope you didn’t forget.” Miss Gianna said,
“Goodbye class.”
But beforeMiss Gianna went out of the room she told his classmates that if something bad happened at him she will surely know it.
Atticus was thankful because of what the professor said. That day no one dared to touch him at their classroom until all the class was finished.
I wish this always happen.
He told himself when he went out of their classroom to go to the library. He’s now motivated to study. When all his classmates were bullying him he doesn’t want to go to school, he doesn’t want to study but right now Atticus is motivated after Miss Gianna complimented him.
Atticus recall what happened on their first subject. He recall how he answer the question and that he didn’t stutter when he said the definition of renaissance.
“Renaissance is a French word meaning “rebirth.” It refers to a period in European civilization that was marked by a revival of Classical learning and wisdom. For additional information the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science.” He said.
All of his classmates drop their jaw. They didn’t expect that the i***t Atticus they are calling didn’t stutter while saying the definition of renaissance.
“Wow! Very good, Atticus! You really study about renaissance, I’m impressed! Okay you may now sit down.” Miss Gianna said.
“I wish I can do it again. Papa will be happy to know this, I need to continue studying and make him proud, maybe in that way I can gain the relationship I want with him.”
For him that’s all that matters right now. That soon his father would be proud of him.
- Writer
