Story #1; Chapter Two

Chapter Two; Clyde
Clyde Winters walked slowly down the hill, and whistled a tune to give him the mood for lessons that day. It's been three years since the incident happened, and he had long put the past behind him. However, he still remembered the 'giant', the face of his father's killer, and never forgot the wish he made as he looked at the Sun on that fateful day. He, like his mom and dad, still wore torn clothes, and looked as scrawny as he has always been. He carried his books in a bag made of two pieces of cloth and a bunch of staple bullets. He was not ashamed, though the teasing, he knew, would never stop till the day, he carried a bag as leathery as his friends, and wore clothes as grand as his peers. The school bell rang for the third time that day, and Clyde hastened his steps, the town was bustling with activitiy, but he couldn't be bothered with the sights, as he was about to be late. He rushed past the common folks, and went straight for the town school. Smoke emitted from the chimneys of the school, and the sounds of children Clyde's age could be heard. Clyde rushed in the school's tall black gates, and prepared himself for the usual morning assembly. As he reached the assembly grounds, he heaved a sigh of relief, students of the school were just starting to line up in front of the school. He walked to his class, and took his position. The school's song started to play, and the children began to sing. When it was over, the children were ushered to their classes along with their teachers. Clyde sighed as he entered "Class Five", he knew as soon as he took his seat, the teasing fest would begin. He was right. As he prepared himself for the second period, a loud voice boomed, and Clyde knew all too clear who it belonged to. "How's it going? Clyde The Poor?" The leader of Clyde's 'Fan Club', Oliver Larson, placed his leg on Clyde's table, and continued to taunt him. "Feeling alittle cold lately? I hear that people wearing clothes with holes should stay indoors, lest they catch a cold and spread it to the rest of us!" Clyde's fists clenched. "And hey, you'd better tell your mom to put pieces of cloth and staple them like she did your bag, for your latest blanket, ha!" Clyde stood up, but just as he was about to say something, the second period teacher entered the class, and the commotion settled down. However, the teasing continues even during lessons, not from the students this time, but from the teachers. Yes, Clyde receives taunting and teasing in all ways when he's schooling, especially from this particular teacher, Mister Thomas. "Turn to page eleven, oh, and Clyde? Please see if that page is in that 'poor and tattered' book of yours," the teacher said bluntly. The rest of the class sniggered. Clyde just remained quiet, silently, he made another vow. Just as the period was about to end, Mister Thomas couldn't resist not teasing Clyde once more. "Clyde, would you be so kind as to help me clear the dustbin, and you could probably take up that job when you are done schooling here, after all, I don't see a much 'richer' future for you." The teacher laughed at his own joke, and the students even though it wasn't as funny as it should be, they laughed, knowing that they were contributing to the shame that was being placed on Clyde. But Clyde bravely did his task, and returned to his seat, and as soon as he sat down, he stood right up again with a yell. Stuck to his chair were thumbnails, and his entire shorts were with more holes than it already had. The class roared with laughter, and even as Clyde's tears began to roll down his cheeks, Mister Thomas added in, "don't 'rain' in here, you are so filthy, the rain's probably acid." As this entire scene was taking place, a girl watched it with a sense of sympathy for Clyde. Her name was Annabelle Finn, and though her face wasn't as pretty as most girls, she had a heart of gold, and feeling sorry for Clyde, she decided to step forward and stop the commotion. "That's quite enough! Why are you all teasing him? Has he done any wrong to be scrutinized by the likes of you people?" She said everything in one breath. The entire class looked at her, and her legs quivered. It was the first time she was brave enough to stand up and make a statement, and this time, to help someone else. "Shut your gap, Annabelle, don't you understand that we 'richer folks' shouldn't be studying in the same room, or breathe the same air, as this filthy 'thing' you see infront of you? And why are you standing up for him? Is it because...," before Oliver Larson could finish his sentence, he received a huge punch on the shoulder, he swivelled around, and faced Clyde, whose face was now still crying, but it was tears of rage. Oliver returned the blow, and being more well-off, he had more strength than Clyde, and he sent Clyde's skinny body sliding on the classroom floor. Mister Thomas had to step in, not because he wanted to, but it was still his duty to maintain order in the classroom. "That's enough, Oliver, I believe Clyde here has learnt that he should know his place, alright then, class dismissed!" The entire class left, leaving only Annabelle and Clyde in the classroom. "Are you alright?" Annabelle asked the boy who was now bleeding from the nose. "I am fine," said the boy, wiping the blood away. "Thanks for standing up for me, it was very nice of you." "Don't mention it, the teasing would have gotten on my nerves too, I am pretty amazed at your tolerance," Annabelle smiled. "Annabelle, I know I may not be worthy, but may I ask for your friendship?" Clyde looked at Annabelle. "Sure," she replied.