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...**Welcome to "My Crush is My Bully"**...
...In this heartfelt tale, follow Aiden as he navigates the complexities of love and adversity. Set against the backdrop of high school dynamics, Aiden must confront his feelings for Arthur, his tormentor-turned-crush. Explore themes of identity, courage, and the transformative power of acceptance in this compelling narrative....
...Copyright © StoryLord June 28th 2024. All rights reserved....
...--...
...Chapter 1....
...Here we go again....
...Walking through the bustling hallway towards my locker, I stopped at my locker to fiddled with the combination lock, rotating the dial to the familiar sequence of numbers. With a slight twist, the lock's cylinder, already loose, offered no resistance, allowing me to swing the door open effortlessly. ...
...My heart sank as I scanned the small, cluttered space inside-my diary was nowhere to be seen. Frantically, I began shuffling through textbooks and loose papers, hoping it had been misplaced. It was then that mocking laughter echoed behind me, cutting through the ambient noise of the hallway....
..."Hahaha," their synchronized laughter reverberated, causing me to turn sharply. There they stood, a group of boys, holding my diary open, their faces contorted with amusement at my expense....
..."Give me my stuff back," I demanded, my voice wavering with a mix of anger and humiliation....
...Instead of complying, they flipped through my diary with malicious delight, scanning for something to mock. "Hmmm, let's see here," one of them drawled, flipping pages casually. Finally settling on a passage, he cleared his throat theatrically and began to read aloud. I stood frozen, the weight of everyone's gaze pressing down on me....
..."Dear diary, I don't know why I'm so lonely, maybe because I'm the..." His voice trailed off, and his eyes widened in mock surprise as he glanced up at me. "You're gay?" He announced loudly, relishing the moment. His eyes darted back to the page. "Look, you've read enough. Give me my book back," I insisted, my voice tight with restrained fury....
...Their leader's expression turned serious, looking back up to me, a hint of calculation replacing his earlier amusement. "You have a crush on Arthur?" he asked pointedly, drawing out each word for maximum impact....
...Just then, "Aiden, Aiden, Aiden!" The sharp voice of the teacher sliced through my thoughts, jolting me back to reality. I flinched at her call, realizing I had been lost in a painful memory....
..."Would you like to answer what we have been learning about since you dozed off?" The teacher's voice cut through the silence, sharp and impatient....
...I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the sudden attention. I glanced around quickly, noticing everyone's eyes on me like a spotlight. My palms were sweaty, and I shifted uncomfortably. "Um, yeah... I guess," I mumbled, my voice barely steady....
...The teacher raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Fine. For Valentine's Day, we have been talking about the meaning of love. Care to explain what the meaning of love is? After that, I'll leave you alone," she said, folding her arms and waiting....
...Before answering, I scanned the room. Some of my classmates wore smirks, clearly anticipating my response. "Love is the bittersweet longing for a connection that often feels just out of reach," I began, my voice steady but filled with emotion. "It's a consuming desire that can lead to heartache, loneliness, and the fear of never being truly understood. It's the ache of investing your whole heart in someone who may never fully reciprocate, leaving you with a lingering sense of emptiness and unfulfilled dreams."...
...After speaking, I glanced around again. Some looked confused, others surprised, and a few seemed impressed by my words. The teacher gave me a brief, sharp look, but she quickly composed herself, masking any further reaction....
..."Well, that's one way to describe the meaning of love," she responded calmly, a small chuckle escaping her. The exhale through her nose was almost like a laugh, subtle yet noticeable. "That is deep what you said. I'll take it," she added, walking back to the front of the room....
...Later that day: As I walked down the bustling hallway, I spotted my friends Serena and Kacy navigating through the crowd. When they saw me, they waved enthusiastically, and a smile spread across my face as I made my way over to join them....
..."Hey girl, how was class?" Serena asked, her voice warm and inviting....
..."It was boring," I sighed, slouching slightly as I spoke. "I've been looking forward to hanging out with y'all all day." A smile crept across my face as I straightened up, eager to hear what they had been up to. "So, what y'all been up to?"...
..."Well we were making plans for Valentine's Day tomorrow, thinking about buying my boyfriend cute matching jackets." Serena replied....
..."Yeah, and I wanna just watch romance movies. I don't have a Valentine right now, but I don't know, I'm not ready for the dating life," Kacy said, her voice tinged with a hint of wistfulness....
...Aiden glanced at Kacy with a sympathetic smile, nodding slowly. "That sounds like a cozy plan. Sometimes it's nice to just enjoy the movies without the drama," I replied, my tone understanding....
...Serena tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "You know, Valentine's Day can be fun even without a date. Maybe we could plan something together tomorrow night." she suggested, her eyes bright with enthusiasm....
..."So, what are you doing for Valentine's Day?" Kacy asked, her gaze shifting to me....
..."Oh... uh, well, y'all might hate me for this, but I wanna buy Arthur chocolate hearts and a note and leave it in his locker," I said tentatively, my voice tinged with uncertainty. I shifted on my feet, nervously fidgeting with the strap of my backpack....
...I noticed their concerned expressions as they glanced at me and then at each other. Serena's brow furrowed with worry, arms crossing defensively across her chest. My heart sank a little at her reaction....
..."But doesn't Arthur bully you for being gay and having a crush on him? And wouldn't he know it was from you? It'll definitely be obvious, especially since he knows you have a crush on him," Kacy explained, her voice filled with genuine concern. She leaned in closer, eyes searching my face for any sign of reconsideration....
..."Well, that's why I'm gonna put on the note that it's from a female, so he wouldn't have an idea," i reasoned, my voice slightly shaky. I nervously tugged at my hair, a habit i had when feeling anxious, hoping my friends would understand my reasoning....
...Their reactions were mixed with concern and uncertainty. Serena's expression softened slightly, but her eyes still held worry. Kacy sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation as she glanced at Aiden with sympathy. Each contemplated Aiden's plan and its potential consequences, unsure of what advice to give him....
..."Well... don't get caught," Kacy said, her voice laced with caution. She glanced at me with a mix of concern and uncertainty, silently questioning my decision....
...School bells chimed melodically, breaking the tension. Ding-dong! Ding-dong!...
..."See ya at lunch." Serena said, them both walking off to class....
...The bell rang, signaling the start of the next period. Dread settled in my stomach; I dreaded this class because it was filled with people who disliked me. The worst part? Arthur was in that class. After yesterday's incident with my diary, things were bound to be awkward and tense....
...As I walked to my class, nervousness gripped me. I couldn't shake the thoughts racing through my mind what could go wrong, and would anything go right? None of it seemed comforting. Finally, I reached the classroom door, students bustling in and out. This felt like my personal hell; here we go again....
...Chapter 2....
...Aiden's hell. ...
...I stood before my history classroom door, its worn wood grain a familiar sight that now seemed ominous, like the entrance to my personal purgatory. A faint scent of chalk and distant chatter drifted from within, mingling with the dread that twisted in my gut. Sunlight filtered through dusty windows, casting long shadows across the hallway, adding to the eerie atmosphere. This place, filled with faces that often sneered or ignored me, felt more like a trial than a place of learning. Despite the uncertainty and discomfort, I knew I had to gather my courage and step through that door....
...I finally lifted my hand to the door handle, fingers trembling slightly as I pushed it down. The handle made an obvious click sound as I opened the door, and instantly, all eyes turned toward me. The teacher paused mid-sentence, their gaze feeling like spotlights bearing down on me. My heart raced as a wave of stage fright washed over me....
...Nervously, I walked to my seat, avoiding all eye contact. The worst part was that my assigned seat was next to Arthur. I scooted out my chair, took off my backpack, set it on the floor beside me, and sat down. Faint giggles echoed around me as the teacher spoke about the history of the Holocaust. I could feel Arthur's gaze burning into the side of my face. Unzipping my backpack, I dug for any sign of a pencil, trying desperately to avoid looking at him....
...Digging through my bag, dread washed over me like a heat wave when I realized there was no pencil to be found. I glanced up at the teacher, who was still engrossed in his lecture. Deep down, I didn't want to draw any attention to myself, especially not in this predicament. Taking a deep breath, I hesitated for a moment before raising my hand, hoping to catch the teacher's response without making a scene....
...Noticing my raised hand, he stopped mid-sentence to look at me. "Yes?" he responded, his voice calm and attentive....
...I hesitated, feeling nervous about what might unfold from such a simple request....
..."Umm, so I was looking through my backpack and I couldn't find a pencil. Do you have one that I could use?" I asked, my voice wavering with anxiety....
...He turned to his desk, scanning it briefly for any available supplies. Then, he looked back at me with a sympathetic expression. "I only have a pen right now. You'll have to ask a student or your neighbor," he replied kindly....
...I sat there nervously, not wanting to draw attention to myself in a class where I knew I wasn't well-liked. To my surprise, someone spoke up....
..."You can have mine." I turned my head to the left and was taken aback to see Arthur offering me his mechanical pencil. He had been using that pencil since the beginning of the school year, which struck me as unusual....
...I hesitated, unsure whether to accept. "Um, I'm sorry, I don't want to take your only pencil, especially since it seems like your favorite," I said, meeting his gaze. His green eyes and spiky blonde undercut hairstyle made my heart skip a beat; he looked unexpectedly cute. I really wanted to accept his offer....
..."Don't worry, I have another one just like it in my bag. Take it," he replied smoothly, his voice unexpectedly warm....
...I reached out and finally accepted the pencil, glancing around the class. Their wild smirks suggested they found the situation amusing....
...After taking the pencil, a small smile crept onto my face. Suddenly, from somewhere in the distance, I heard someone mutter something under their breath. "Gayyyy," the word stretched mockingly in a whisper. A group of boys at the back of the class erupted into laughter at the joke....
...I sighed at the mockery. The teacher, annoyed mid-sentence, suddenly yelled, "Can you guys be quiet? Some people are trying to actually pay attention and pass, unlike y'all!" His voice carried a note of anger and frustration....
..."Care to tell me what's so funny, so the whole class can get in on the joke?" the teacher said, crossing his arms and glaring at the group, clearly not amused....
...The boys shifted nervously in their seats, exchanging uneasy glances. One of them finally spoke up, avoiding eye contact. "Nothing, it was just a dumb joke," he mumbled....
...The teacher raised an eyebrow, his arms still firmly crossed. "You sure? Because I have time," he responded, his tone sharp....
..."I'm sure," the boy reassured, his voice wavering slightly as he glanced back at his friends for support. The tension in the room was palpable as the teacher continued to stare them down....
..."Good, now be quiet. I don't want to hear another word out of your mouths," the teacher said, his stern gaze sweeping over the group....
...The teacher turned his focus back to the rest of the class. "Now, I want to announce that you guys will have to do a class project together. I'll be picking your partners because I know that some of you can't handle being with your friends and don't know when it's time to work and time to play. So, the first duo will be Arthur and Aiden."...
...My heart skipped a beat at the announcement, and I glanced over at Arthur, who seemed equally surprised. The room buzzed with whispers and curious glances as the teacher continued to assign partners....
...The teacher continued, naming pairs for the project....
..."Next pair, Jamie and Sarah."...
...He scanned the room, his eyes landing on another two students. "Tyler and Emily."...
...As he read from his list, the room was filled with murmurs and groans. "Daniel and Jessica."...
..."Ryan and Olivia."...
..."And finally, Lucas and Mia."...
...With everyone paired up, the teacher moved on to explain the project details, but I could hardly focus. The reality of being partnered with Arthur was all I could think about....
...The teacher finished pairing up the students, then handed out a new assignments to us that is paired. The room buzzed with anticipation and a bit of dread. I glanced at Arthur, who was reading the instructions with a serious expression....
...**Assignment Overview: Persuasive Speech on Social Change**...
...**Objective:**...
...Students will deliver a persuasive speech focused on changing society by advocating against discrimination and violence based on gender, race, religion, and sexual orientation....
...**Topic:**...
..."The Importance of Tolerance and Equality in Society: Lessons from History"...
...The teacher continued, "This assignment will be a major part of your grade, so take it seriously. You'll be delivering a persuasive speech that draws lessons from historical events, particularly the Holocaust, to highlight the importance of tolerance and equality in our society today."...
...I felt a knot in my stomach. Speaking in front of the class was already nerve-wracking, but addressing such a serious topic made it even more daunting....
...**Assignment Instructions:**...
...1. **Research Phase (2 days):**...
... - Research the historical context of the Holocaust and other instances of mass discrimination and violence....
... - Gather information on the impact of these events on society and individuals....
... - Collect quotes, statistics, and stories to support your arguments....
...2. **Planning Phase (1 day):**...
... - Outline your speech, focusing on a clear and compelling argument....
... - Develop a strong thesis statement that conveys your main message....
... - Organize your points logically, ensuring a smooth flow from introduction to conclusion....
...3. **Writing Phase (2 days):**...
... - Write the first draft of your speech....
... - Use persuasive language and rhetorical devices to strengthen your argument....
... - Include real-life examples and historical references to support your points....
...4. **Revision Phase (1 day):**...
... - Revise your speech for clarity, coherence, and impact....
... - Ensure your language is inclusive and respectful....
... - Practice delivering your speech to improve your confidence and timing....
...The teacher added, "Aiden and Arthur, you'll be the first two to present your speeches. Your presentations will serve as a benchmark for the class."...
...My heart skipped a beat. Being first meant there was no room for mistakes. Arthur leaned over, his expression unreadable. "Looks like we're in this together," he said softly....
...**Presentation Day:**...
...- Deliver your speech to the class....
...- The class will judge based on:...
... - **Content Quality:** How well you address the topic and support your arguments....
... - **Persuasiveness:** The effectiveness of your language and rhetorical devices....
... - **Clarity and Delivery:** How clearly and confidently you present your ideas....
... - **Choice of Words:** The appropriateness and impact of your vocabulary....
...The teacher emphasized, "Remember, the class will judge you based on relevance, insight, evidence, structure, engagement, and language. Make sure your speech is compelling and well-researched."...
...**Deadline:**...
...- Speeches are due one week from today. Presentations will begin on the following Monday....
...---...
...**Tips for Success:**...
...- Stay focused on your main message and avoid unnecessary tangents....
...- Be respectful and mindful when discussing sensitive topics....
...- Practice your speech multiple times to gain confidence and ensure smooth delivery....
...- Seek feedback from peers or teachers during the revision phase....
...As the class getting ready to end soon, I gathered my things while Arthur stashes the assignment inside his backpack, the weight of the assignment heavy on my mind. "We should probably start researching soon," he suggested. I nodded, still feeling a bit overwhelmed. ...
...This was going to be a challenging project, but maybe, just maybe, it would also be an opportunity to see a different side of Arthur....
...The teacher added, "And remember, for those who have been chosen for this project, you will also select a specific historical date and event to focus on. It could be World War I, World War II, or a rebellion from the past. However, make sure you are respectful to others as you partake in this journey."...
...The room filled with murmurs as students started discussing potential topics. I glanced at Arthur, who was deep in thought. ...
..."We should probably start brainstorming which event to focus on," he said, his tone serious....
..."Yeah," I replied, feeling a bit more at ease knowing we had a plan to tackle this project together....
..."So, are we doing it at my house or..." Arthur trailed off, avoiding eye contact....
...I noticed his unease and replied, "Yeah, my place works. We can meet after school today." ...
...Arthur looked at me with unease, trying to mask his uncomfortableness. I glanced around the room and saw the same boys who had laughed earlier holding up a note. My heart sank as I read the word: "Faggot." Shame washed over me. Maybe working together would hurt Arthur's reputation....
...But what choice do we have? *DING DING DING DING DING DING!* The school bell rang, and I felt a wave of relief. Everyone started packing their bags, and the hallway filled with noise and busy footsteps. The group of boys walked up to me, one of them quoting my diary from memory, "I love Arthur so much, I really hope that he loves me back someday. I wish we were more than friends, but sadly, there are things that we cannot control." He said mockingly, right in front of me and Arthur....
...They all burst into laughter, and I felt my face flush with humiliation. Arthur stood there, his expression unreadable. As the boys walked out the door, one of them yelled, "FAG!"...
...The teacher reacted to the loud disturbance with exasperation. "Boys, quit it out. God, these kids," he muttered, sliding his fingers through his hair in frustration, his palm pressing against his forehead....
...I looked at Arthur, hoping for a sign of support, but he just turned and walked away with them. The sting of betrayal hit hard, and I felt a lump forming in my throat....
...I felt better at the sight of my friend Jake standing at the door....
...Jake is tall and lanky, with a mop of curly brown hair that often falls into his eyes. His easy smile and laid-back demeanor make him approachable and friendly. He's known for his loyalty and sense of humor, always ready with a witty remark to lighten the mood. Today, he's wearing a worn-out band t-shirt and faded jeans, his backpack slung over one shoulder as he leans against the doorframe, looking concerned as he watches the scene unfolding in the hallway....
..."Your ok, I heard what they said, if you want say the word and I'll kill them." He says, his voice supportive with protectiveness. ...
..."Come on I'll walk you to your next class." Jake says generously, with a bright comforting smile. ...
...I agreed by walking off with him, which he already knew my next class already....
..."I'm okay though, just feeling frustrated," I replied, letting out a sigh. "I wish Arthur would open up to me. We used to talk, but ever since he found out about my crush on him, things have been strained. And now, the teacher paired us up for a class project," I explained, feeling a mix of disappointment and uncertainty about how things would unfold between us....
..."It's gonna be okay, just be yourself," Jake reassured me earnestly, his voice filled with conviction. "If they won't see your worth, just know I always do. Stop worrying about what other people think of you, because at the end of the day, everyone is unique in their own special way. So don't be so hard on yourself. If Arthur doesn't see that in you, then find someone else who will," he advised, offering a supportive smile to lift my spirits....
...Later that day, as I waited outside in the bustling school courtyard, I spotted Arthur nearby, also waiting for the bus, we ride the same bus. The world seemed to slow around us, the thrum of the day fading into the background. I yearned to be close to him, to apologize for the words in my diary, to offer him the universe wrapped in an apology....
...After waiting for what felt like an eternity, our bus finally arrived. I followed Arthur in line, silently taking my place behind him. As we boarded the bus and shuffled down the narrow aisle, I settled into seat 46 towards the rear. Arthur took a seat across from me, and my heart sank when a girl sat beside him, engaging him in lively conversation. A pang of sadness washed over me, nearly bringing tears to my eyes as I longed to be the one talking to hiM....
...Title of the story: My Crush Is My Bully....
...Chapter 3: Meet The Summers...
...As the bus came to a halt and I stepped off onto the sidewalk of my quiet suburban street, I glanced back to see four other kids trailing behind me. Their laughter and chatter filled the air, a stark contrast to the tranquil surroundings....
...I made my way up the familiar path to my front door, the crunch of gravel underfoot a comforting sound. The house stood before me, its two-story brick facade gleaming in the late afternoon sun. The large arched window above the door allowed light to spill into the entryway, framed by decorative stonework that added an elegant touch to the classic brick exterior. The white garage door to the right contrasted sharply with the warm, earthy tones of the house, and the well-maintained lawn with its young trees and shrubs created a welcoming atmosphere....
...With a soft knock, I waited, the anticipation mingling with the warmth of the sun on my face. When the door finally creaked open, I was met with the sight of my older brother, Papa. At seventeen, he had a tall, lanky frame and his brown eyes held a mix of surprise and mischief. His dark hair was tousled, and he wore a casual shirt and jeans that seemed slightly disheveled, hinting at a hasty change from his school clothes....
..."Papa?" I asked, my voice laced with confusion and curiosity. "What are you doing here so early? I thought you had school today."...
...His presence here, so out of place and unexpected, piqued my curiosity. The usual hustle of his school routine had been replaced with an unfamiliar stillness, leaving me to wonder what had brought him home before the day was over....
...As Papa explained, I walked into the house and made my way to the glass round table that sat in the center of the room, taking a seat in one of the five chairs. I settled into the familiar comfort of the table, its polished surface catching the light in a warm, inviting glow. Papa’s expression was a mixture of seriousness and an oddly forced gravity....
..."We got an early release because of a power outage at school," Papa said, his tone serious, but his eyes seemed to twinkle with an unreadable emotion. "A truck hit the power box and caused a small explosion. The fire alarm went off, and we had to evacuate."...
...I looked at him, trying to process the gravity of what he was saying. “Oh,” I replied, my mind still trying to catch up. “Well, is everyone okay?”...
...Papa’s serious expression remained, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry as I awaited his response....
...Papa's gaze remained flat, his features giving nothing away as he delivered the chilling words. “Everyone died.”...
...My own face remained impassive, though my mind raced to process the shock of his statement. “Huh?” I managed, confusion evident in my voice....
...Suddenly, Papa's stern facade cracked into laughter, his deep voice echoing around the room. “Hahaha, HAHAHA! You really believed that nonsense!? HAHAHAHA, OMG, you should have seen the look on your face!” His grin was wide and mischievous, revealing a playful side that was a stark contrast to his earlier seriousness....
...Just then, our mom emerged from the garage, her face shifting from surprise to concern as she saw us. “Oh, hey Aiden. Papa, shouldn’t you be in bed? Aren’t you sick right now?” Her worry was palpable, her eyes scanning Papa with a blend of confusion and maternal concern....
...Papa began to cough, but it sounded oddly forced, a slight cough followed by a dramatic rub of his nose. “Cough cough,” he said, then added, “I heard knocking and came down to open the door.” he said, rushing back to his room....
..."Oh," my mom turned her eyes on me, "how was school?"...
...I glanced down, wondering if I should come up with a good lie. “Umm, it was okay, I guess. I have a project to do with someone.”...
...“Oh really? What’s it about?” she asked....
...“It’s about the Holocaust, and we have to write about it and make a speech,” I explained....
...My mom continued with her questions. “Who are you doing it with?”...
...I hesitated before answering. “Umm, his name is Arthur. I’ll be doing it with him.”...
...“Hmm, okay. Well, call him over and you two can get started on your schoolwork.”...
...“Okay, Mom,” I said....
...I then grabbed my backpack and headed towards the stairs and walked up to my room....
...My bedroom is my sanctuary, tucked away on the second floor. The walls are painted in calming shades of blue and green, which help me relax and think. My twin bed is in one corner, covered with a simple, cozy comforter and a few assorted pillows....
...In my study area, my desk is cluttered with notebooks, sketchbooks, and pens. Nearby, a small bookshelf holds my favorite books and novels. The walls are decorated with posters of bands, movies, and my own artwork, showcasing my creative side....
...My closet is organized with clothes, shoes, and accessories, while baskets and bins hold my art supplies and personal mementos. The room is well-lit by natural light from the window and a desk lamp for late-night studying....
...This room isn’t just a place to sleep; it’s where I unwind, write in my diary, or simply daydream....
...I sat down on my bed, placing my backpack on the floor beside me. Pulling out my phone, I turned it on and opened Instagram. I navigated to my contacts and scrolled all the way down to find Arthur. We used to talk a lot, but we lost touch after everything that happened, which is why his contact was buried so far down....
...I clicked on his profile and began typing a message: "Hey, um, my mom said whenever you're ready, you can come over to my house. I'll send you my address." I quickly sent him the address and hit send....
...As I set my phone down, a small feeling of happiness bubbled up inside me at the thought of reconnecting. I just hoped it wouldn’t be too awkward....
...Bored, I turned on the TV while waiting for his reply. Six minutes later, I heard the familiar ping of a notification. I grabbed my phone and saw a text from Arthur: "Yeah, I got the address. I'll be down in a bit. See you soon."...
...A smile spread across my face as I read his message, and I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach....
...An hour later, as I sat on the couch in the living room, engrossed in TV, I heard a knock at the door. My heart sank with a mix of excitement and nervousness....
...I walked to the door and peered through the peephole. To my surprise, there was Arthur standing outside, looking a bit nervous and awkward. I quickly unlocked the door, twisting both locks, and opened it. Seeing his face outside of school felt like a dream come true; I really wanted to hug him....
...“Hey,” he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty....
...“Hey,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Come in.” I pushed the door wider, letting him step inside....
...Arthur looked around, scanning the place with curiosity. He glanced at me and said, "Nice place. Where are we working?"...
..."In my room. Follow me," I said. We walked up the stairs to my room, and Arthur seemed impressed by how nice it looked....
..."Love the room. It's cozy," he said, standing nervously and holding the straps of his backpack with both hands....
..."You can sit and make yourself at home. I'll be back, just getting some clipboards." He sat down to wait as I headed out to get the supplies....
...Got it. Let's integrate the worksheet into the story and show how Aiden and Arthur work together on the assignment....
...I went to my mom's room asking for some stuff for our work. "Mom, do you have any clipboards?" I asked....
..."Yeah, they're in my closet. I'll get them," she said. After a moment, she came back out with two clipboards, and I dashed back to my room....
..."That was fast," Arthur said as I walked in....
...I looked at him with a smile. "You think so?"...
...He smiled back nervously. "So, where's the worksheet?"...
..."In my bag," he replied. Arthur dug through his backpack, found the worksheet, and took it out to scan it, ensuring it was the right one. He then zipped his backpack up and took a pencil from the cup holder pouch on the side....
..."Alright, let's get started," I said, taking a clipboard and the worksheet. "Here, look at the plan I made."...
...We both sat down on the floor, spreading out our materials. I handed Arthur a copy of the completed worksheet to look over....
..."Here it is," I said. "We need to cover the importance of tolerance and equality, using historical events as examples."...
...Arthur read through the worksheet carefully. "Okay, this makes sense. We can divide the topics. I'll focus on Apartheid in South Africa and the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and you can take the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement."...
..."Perfect," I agreed. "Let's start by brainstorming our points and finding some powerful quotes."...
...We spent the next hour researching and discussing the key points we wanted to include. Arthur pulled up a quote from Nelson Mandela that he wanted to use, while I found a quote from Elie Wiesel to start off my part of the speech....
..."Listen to this," I said, reading out loud. "'For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.' - Elie Wiesel. I think it's a strong opening for the introduction."...
...Arthur nodded. "That's powerful. And for my part, I found this: 'No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion.' - Nelson Mandela."...
..."Great quotes," I said, jotting them down. "Now, let's outline the body of the speech."...
...We divided the speech into clear sections, each addressing different historical events and their lessons on tolerance and equality. Arthur suggested using survivor stories and personal anecdotes to make our points more relatable....
..."I'll talk about Anne Frank and her diary," I said. "Her story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of intolerance."...
..."And I'll mention Harvey Milk and his fight for LGBTQ+ rights," Arthur added. "His assassination was a tragic result of hatred, but his legacy continues to inspire."...
...After hours of working together, we finally had a solid draft. We took turns reading our parts out loud, making sure everything flowed smoothly....
..."Good morning, everyone," I began, practicing the introduction. "Today, I want to talk to you about something that is not only important but also deeply personal to me: the importance of tolerance and equality in our society. History has shown us time and again the devastating consequences of discrimination and violence. By looking at the horrors of the Holocaust, we can understand why it is crucial to embrace diversity and promote equality in our modern world."...
...Arthur followed with his section on Apartheid. "The Holocaust, one of the darkest periods in human history, saw the systematic extermination of six million Jews. This genocide was fueled by deep-rooted antisemitism and hatred. Survivor stories, like that of Anne Frank, remind us of the human cost of intolerance."...
...After we had gone through the entire speech, we felt a sense of accomplishment. "I think we're ready," Arthur said, smiling....
..."Yeah," I agreed, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. "This is going to be great."...
...Arthur and I had not only completed the assignment, but we had also found common ground and learned from each other's perspectives. It was a step towards understanding and, hopefully, a step towards a friendship that extended beyond this project....
..."Working with you was fun. I'm glad we got paired together," I said to Arthur. He smiled at me in silent agreement....
...As we began putting our stuff away and packing up our work materials, my brother barged in. "Hey, lil bro, what you up to?"...
...I turned to Papa, confused. "What are you doing here?"...
...Papa glanced at Arthur and then back at me. "Nothing, just checking on you."...
...Still confused, I responded, "Oh. We just finished working. We can all hang out together, maybe go to the park or play games. We have some extra time since we finished early."...
...Papa looked at Arthur, then nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we can hang out, just the three of us. After all, I'm curious about y'all's history."...
...I looked at Arthur with a nervous glance. What the fuck did I just do? I thought to myself....
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