Determined not to look at Larry Leo instead looked at the headmaster his heart falling as the man smiled. “You were in Alpha Cal? I was a Zeta Mar.”
Larry chuckled. “You guys throw great parties.”
Leo had, had enough. Clearing his throat loudly he spoke. “Headmaster Leon, I am formally requesting that actions be taken to punish those responsible who attacked, stole from, and harmed my student.”
Next to him he felt coach Larry shift, leaning forward in his chair. “Are you saying members of the Alpha Cal fraternity were involved in some kind of……altercation with one of your students?”
Leo turned, glaring at Larry who smirked back at him. “Yes. They attacked my student and burned his possessions.”
Larry raised an eyebrow. “Really? My players haven’t told me anything about that. And I recall correctly, most of my players are in the Alpha Cal fraternity.”
As he spoke Larry put on a slightly confused expression that only served to infuriate Leo more; making his fist tighten. “That doesn’t change anything. They committed a serious infraction to our code of conduct and ethics. They need to be punished for it.”
A moment of silence followed his words, broken only when Larry spoke. “How did you come to acquire this information?”
A slight grin flashed over Leo’s face; he’d already come up with a good lie, for this very question. “The student came to me when he failed to hand in one of his assignments. After a bit of encouragement he told me what had happened; now I’m bringing it to you,”
Leo looked at the headmaster, “And I want to know what are you going to do about it?”
He watched, mentally praying as the headmaster leaned back in his chair. After a moment he spoke. “Coach Larry these are……….serious allegations.”
Larry nodded, “I couldn’t agree more.”
Leo’s head snapped around to stare at Larry who continued to speak. “As of this moment I’m suspending the entire football team while the disciplinary committee begins a full investigation. I’ll order all of my players to answer any and all questions you have for them.”
As he spoke Larry stood up, and moved to leave the office; pausing when he was a foot from the door. Leo watched his heart hammering in his chest as Larry turned too looked back at him and the headmaster, a look of concern on his face. “Although………the investigation could take months to carry out. And the regulations for college football are clear; no team under any kind of investigation may compete in the league.”
Leo felt his heart sink as he realized what Larry was doing. He watched, as Larry turned back to face them. “And……if we can't compete then we’ll have to send refunds to the people who bought season or advanced tickets; it’s only fair since we won’t be at any games.”
Leo bit his lip till he could taste blood. It took every ounce of self control he had to not lung at Larry and strangle him. “And if they aren’t competing in football……then my players will lose their scholarships, and they won’t be able to continue attending our school.”
Larry allowed a moment for this information to sink in before shrugging. “Oh well. I’m sure that some of the other local schools will offer them scholarships. I’ll just have to start finding new replacement players for next year.”
“Stop.”
Leo sighed; he didn’t even have to guess at what was going to happen now; nevertheless he turned and looked at headmaster Leon who had spoke. His shoulders slumped as the headmaster fixed him with a stern glare. “I want to be sure I understand what you’ve told me Leo. You say the Alpha Cal members attacked your student and burned his possessions? Yet you have no evidence proving that’s what happened, and the student in question is unwilling to come forward and file the claim?”
Leo nodded, closing his eyes as he did so; so neither the headmaster nor Coach Larry would see the faint tears that were welling up in them. “Leo school policy is clear. If your student is unwilling to come forward and file the claim then I cannot ask the disciplinary committee to issue a formal investigation. And it would be unfair to those who bought season passes, as well as the students who would lose their scholarships. In the future please do not waste my time with issues unless they can truly be proven or pursued.”
Leo rolled his eyes; inside he wanted to strangle Larry who smirked sideways at him. “Sorry headmaster Leon.”
As he stood up to leave the office Larry spoke in a nonchalant tone. “Don't be too upset with him headmaster. You know what I think happened? Last week was the Alpha Cal’s pledge party; where potential pledges write down their hopes and then toss them into a bonfire. I’ll bet you anything Leo’s student accidentally put his assignment into the fire; and then fed Leo some sob story so he could have more time to rewrite it.”
Leo gnashed his teeth together. He had been about to say something when the bell signaling the beginning of class rung. As the sound echoed through the air Larry turned and looked at Leo, another smirk crossing his face. “Don’t you have to be in class Leo? You’re not setting a very good example for your students.”
Leo bit his lip to keep himself from yelling; instead he stormed out of the office, glaring at Anna who smirked back at him. “Have a nice day Leo.”
Slamming the door to the main office Leo stormed down the hallway and into his classroom. “EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP! I’M HAVING A VERY BAD DAY SO NO ONE ASK ANYTHING STUPID OR I FAIL THEM! GOT IT?!”
No one in the class responded; their eyes wide with confusion and fear for their grades. His chalk ran across the blackboard sounding like machinegun fire. His lesson went smoothly; thank god his students took his words to heart. In fact no student said a word his entire class. Watching them leave Leo sank down into his chair and waited for his next class; which seemed to have been told about his bad mood. 4 classes later Leo felt drained, he sank back in his chair and waiting for his final class to assemble; Alex’s class.
He wasn’t sure what he expected Alex to be like as he walked in. he felt his sunken spirit lift slightly as Alex smiled at him as he took his seat. The young turtle at least seemed to be happy. He wore more of Leo’s old clothes, a pair of black jeans with a red T-shirt. Leo smiled weakly at Alex who smiled back; his smile a complete reverse of the pain that had covered Alex’s face last night. He did his best to go about his lesson. Yet he found himself distracted, every so often he would glance back at Alex who would smile back at him. it was odd; hours ago he’d held Alex as the young turtle had sobbed as he relived some of the worst memories of his life; yet now he sat in class, smiling, laughing…..passing notes to the other students when he thought Leo wasn't looking. It was as though the events of last night and this morning had never happened. Watching Alex, Leo wondered how many people truly knew about the pain Alex was in; how many people had seen him break down like he had the night before? The bell rang signaling the end of class; shaking Leo from his thoughts. Sighing he closed the textbook; he hadn’t even gotten through half his lesson. “Alright everyone, that’s it. I expect your papers by the end of the week, with no exceptions……..Alexander?”
He watched as Alex looked up at him. “Please stay afterwards, I need to talk with you.”
He watched as the students filed out leaving him and Alex alone. As Alex walked up to his desk he spoke. “You didn’t need to ask me to stay after, I was going to anyways. It’s tradition.”
Leo raised an eyebrow at Alex’s tone. “How did you explain your injuries?”
As the words left his mouth Alex changed, his shoulders slumped forward his eyes began a little less happy, and his face began slightly nervous. “I…..I told them I feel down the library stairs.”
Leo blinked at him for a moment before speaking. “Alex…..would you like to see the school doctor? He might be able to give you something to he-”
“No doctors.”
Alex’s voice was firm and offered no room for debate, yet still Leo tried. “But he might-”
“NO DOCTORS.”
There was so
mething in Alex’s voice this time, some kind of emotion; a mixture of anger and panic. Leo sighed and nodded. “Very well. Do you have any homework from your other classes?”
Alex shrugged. “Some math stuff, I don't really get it. And some English but nothing to big why?”
Leo smiled weakly at him. “Because I have contacted Anthony and he has agreed to have your first therapy session after school today.”
He watched as Alex shifted nervously from one leg to the other. The young turtle’s face had gone blank; but it was obvious to Leo that he was afraid. “Anthony is a good person Alex. He’ll be able to help you. And no matter what you tell him; he won’t judge or look any different at you.”
There was silence for a moment, “how do you know?”
Leo watched as Alex’s shoulders slumped forward a little more, as he continued to speak his voice quivered a little. “How do you know he won’t judge me? How do you know he won’t be disgusted by my after I tell him about the things I’ve done?”
He could practically feel the fear rolling off Alex, whose sides were shaking now as little tracks of tears began to fall down his face. Standing up Leo walked around his desk and; only after making sure his classroom door was closed, pulled Alex into a hug. “Because I know Anthony. He won’t judge you. He’ll only want to help you. He won’t care about your past. I know it’s scary but…..you have to trust me, ok?”
He watched as Alex sniffed loudly before nodded. “O...ok.”
Holding the hug for a moment longer Leo did his best to give Alex a smile; that the young turtle weakly returned. Letting go of Alex Leo continued. “I’m parked in the faculty parking garage across campus; if you help me with these….”
Leo gestured to a small stack of papers and books behind his desk, “then I can give you a ride without it looking to suspicious ok?”
Alex nodded. “Ok.”
A FEW MINUTES LATER
Sitting in Leo’s car Alex could feel his stomach tingling as they drove to Anthony’s office, a few miles away from the campus. He glanced sideways at Leo, his teacher had a firm but kind expression on his face. After a moment Leo spoke. “Are you nervous?”
Swallowing roughly Alex nodded. “Yeah…….a little.”
Leo looked at him, a weak smile covering his face. “It’ll be ok. Anthony is great at what he does. He’ll help you. I know he can.”
Alex continued to look at him for a moment before looking down at his hands. “Are you sure?”
He flinched slightly as Leo touched his shoulder. “I promise you. Anthony can help.”
Alex smiled weakly at Leo, who smiled back. A short while later Alex felt his heart clench with nerves as Leo pulled into a parking spot and turned off the car. “You ready?”
It took several minutes for Alex to respond, his heart thundered in his chest; and he found his hands were shaking slightly. “I’m………..I’m……………I’m scared.”
Again Leo touched his shoulder. “Alex……”
Leo bit his lip; an action that caused him a lot of pain, from how often he had done so lately. He wanted to reassure Alex. To say that therapy would help; that it would allow Alex to move on from the trauma he had endured over who knows how many years. Sighing deeply Leo spoke, “I know it’s scary. And I know…….”
Again he bit his lip, wincing as he did so. What did he know? He’d never gone to therapy; he’d never spoken about the things that Alex had gone through. Sighing again he spoke, “Look…….I’ll admit it. I don't know what’s going to happen in there. I don't know if any of this will really help. Or if all it will do is reopen old wounds. But I can tell you one thing for sure.”
He felt Alex’s eyes connect with his; those impossibly blue…..perfect eyes. Shaking his head slightly he continued. “At the end of the day…….”
His hand tightened reassuringly on Alex’s shoulder. “At the end of the day the pain you’ve experienced; it won’t go away if you keep it bottled up inside. It’ll eat you alive until there is nothing left.”
Alex continued to look at him, “sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
Leo shifted slightly. “I am.”
Another moment of silence before Alex spoke. “What…..what is your pain?”
He flinched as Leo let go of his shoulder; his skin shuddering from the loss of warmth. He watched as Leo gripped the steering wheel tightly; so tightly that his knuckled turned white, when he spoke his voice had a tone of harshness in it. “It’s in my past. I do not speak about it anymore.”
Alex opened his mouth, but flinched as Leo looked at him. Leo’s face had changed, it was cold; anger etched in its features and yet……there was something else, Leo’s eyes had change. Gone was the confidence and joy that they normally held; instead……..fear shown back at Alex who looked away. “Ok. I’m……I’m sorry.”
Leo’s face changed, became softer. “It’s ok. I’m sorry. Look………let’s just take this one day at a time ok?”
Alex smiled weakly at Leo. “Ok.”
Slowly Alex got out of the car and followed Leo through the parking lot and into the building, dropping himself into a chair as Leo walked up to the receptionist before sitting down next to Alex. Several minutes later a door opened and another turtle stepped out. This turtle was taller than Leo, with bands of purple around his eyes, as he smiled at them Alex noted a small gap in his front teeth. “Hello Leo. It’s good to see you again.”
Leo stood up and pulled the turtle into a small hug. “You too Anthony. How’s your dad doing?”
The turtle smiled. “Better. Thanks for asking. Is this….”
The turtle turned to face Alex who recoiled slightly. Something about his gaze was….off. Alex could already see the gears in the turtle’s head working, noting every little thing he did. Leo nodded. “Yes, this is Alexander.”
Alex watched as the turtle knelt down and smiled at him. “Hello Alexander. I’m Anthony; but everyone calls me Anthony.”
He remained silent for a moment before speaking. “Alex…..call me Alex.”
Anthony nodded. “Ok, but only if you call me Anthony.”
Slowly Alex nodded. “Ok.”
Anthony smiled and motioned behind him, “shall we go and talk?”
Alex looked to Leo who nodded reassuringly. “Can Leo come too?”
Anthony shook his head. “I’m sorry, no. but I’m sure he’ll stay here and meet you when we’re done.”
Leo nodded, and put his hand on Alex’s shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be right out here, ok?”
Alex nodded slowly. “Ok.”
Standing up he fell in line behind Anthony who led him out of the lobby and through a small hallway before turning sideways into a room before closing the door behind them. Alex felt his heart rate jump slightly as he found himself alone with Anthony who sat down in a chair and gestured to a small couch across from him. Sitting down Alex could not help but clench and unclench his hands nervously.
ALEX’S POV
Alex swallowed nervously as he looked to Anthony who sat across from him. After a moment Alex spoke, more to break the awkward silence than anything else. “You….you have a nice office.”
Anthony smiled at him. “Thank you. Is it ok if we start now?”
Alex nodded, finding himself unable to speak as his mouth had become very dry. He watched as Anthony shifted in his seat, pulling out a notepad and pen.
“Now Alex, Let’s start with some simple word-association. Ok? I want you to listen to the word I say and then say the second word that comes to mind.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “I thought I was supposed to say the first word that came to mind?”
Anthony shrugged. “Generally the first word that will come to mind is the word I just said; and this could take a very long time if you just repeat the same words back to me.”
Despite how nervous he felt Alex found himself chuckling. “Ok. The second word that comes to mind.”
Anthony nodded and began.
“Alexander.”
Alex smirked, “me.”
Anthony grinned. “It only gets tougher from here.”
For 10 minutes Anthony said words with Alex responding. He was carful; most therapists chose words that focus on a single subject; Anthony was smart enough to spread the words around but drop several ‘seed’ words to keep Alex on track. Glancing down at his notes Anthony nodded as he found Alex’s results to be similar to what he had expected them to be. Alex’s answered show a rather drastic curve; his responses showing Anthony that Alex would most likely go out of his way to try and help others, while doing very little to help himself. Smiling at Alex Anthony took a moment to scan the younger turtle.
He wasn't fidgeting much anymore, although every now and then he would rub the back of his hand and look around the office nervously. But it was the way that Alex was sitting that interested Anthony. As they had gone through the words Alex had shifted from a guarded stance to a more open but still cautious stance that showed Anthony that Alex was starting to become a bit more comfortable with him. Although there were small signs he was still on edge. “Ok Alex. That was good. Now if it’s ok with you I’d like to ask you a few simple questions. Nothing too hard; I just want to get a feel for how you are right now.”
Alex nodded and shifted his body turning away from Anthony slightly while his head lowered a bit, looking down at the floor. Anthony sighed at the obvious signs of fear and uncertainty the turtle was showing. “Leo tells me you’re in college. What is your major?”
Alex looked up at him before responding nervously. “Um…….anth...anthropology.”
Anthony smiled. “Ok. What about your brother?”
He watched Alex's reaction carefully; noting that the younger turtle pulled his knees against his chest before talking. “He’s………I think he's going for a business degree. But…….I think he mostly just wants to play football. He…….he doesn’t think ahead much.”
Anthony noted that as Alex spoke he smiled slightly. Leaning forward Anthony continued. “Why did you join the Alpha Cal fraternity?”
A Student In Need Page 4