Tricia Williams - Our fucking future

“You didn’t have to be here,” Heather says as we walk,” I mean I would understand if you wanted to keep me at arm’s length.” “No need to, you aren’t who you were and we believe that, even me Heather. I mean you would have been calling all my girls sluts and telling me how I’d rue the day I left you,” I joke and she laughs.

“I remember all of it, I was nuts,” Heather says with a sad chuckle,” I think the term is manic-depressive. I didn’t pay attention when they told Mom and Dad what was wrong with me.” “Well now that you’re back with reality I gotta tell you I don’t like the old bag lady look,” I tell her getting a sad laugh,” Kori and the girls want to help you, I want to help you.” “Help me how, you can’t be everywhere,” Heather tells me plainly.

“Well I spoke with the Student body President, cool guy but a bit of an ass, and he’s taken it upon himself to make sure you have someone assigned to you for every class of the day plus your advisor is his and we have you set up for make up credits through the school online system which has been paid so that you can make up your missed classes from last year,” I tell Heather who stares at me amazed.

“Who would do all that,” Heather asks stumbling over her words a little as my people come find us. “I’d like to present to you Class President Guy Donnelly who won last year on a write in vote,” Kori tells Heather who stupefied by the news.

We explain the new ruling situation to Heather as we walk her to her first class with Matty and Natsuko. I head off to my own and once done with my two classes, Jun set it up to where I’d be done early; I set off to take care of things at my school. Sure enough I catch a glimpse of Heather on her own and a pair of girls from what looks like the Punk set harassing her.

“Queen bitch is back, not so high and mighty now are you,” an Asian girl asks as a white one I recognize steps up, Vicki from last year. “I think we need to give her a makeover,” Vicki says grabbing Heather by the shirt. “Please, I was wrong and I’m sorry. I was mean but please don’t do this,” Heather begs too scared to defend herself. I start to whistle a low tune, it’s subtle but it takes the Asian girl a second before she sees me slowly walking and get’s Vicki’s attention. One look from me and Vicki lets go as I walk up and my presence alone has them back up.

“Ladies why? Why are you doing this? Didn’t we get past all this last year, the persecution, the discrimination and crude intimidation,” I ask them quietly. “She led them, she made sure everyone who wasn’t with her suffered,” Vicki says trying to plead her case.

“She did yes, but she has suffered. She has lived with her shame and pain, she came back here as a penance for her crimes against everyone including herself. She lost her way and you decide to debase yourselves by intimidating her,” I ask turning my voice to one of sincere question. “Guy we’re sorry, we’re not strong,” Vicki tells me as her friend nods in agreement.

“You are strong, you stood up to my stupid cult or regime or whatever you want to call it. I did wrong by you and I expect everyone to hate me but I am sorry,” Heather says trying to step in. “Ladies there are classes that need to be attended, Vicki I will see you at study group yes,” I ask her and get a nod.

Minor crisis averted, I keep an extra eye on Heather as she heads back to her class after a visit to the restroom. My day goes off without major incident and it’s as my family and I are all assembled. I’m about to hold court when I see Heather approaching us nervous. I point her out to Kori who moves to her and brings her close.

“We all have our issues; we all have done some things that have hurt each other here. I’m letting all that go, so are my girls. Going forward from here all debts are settled, I understand pain but we are either all together or anyone can walk away from me and my girls right now. I won’t think any less of you if you do,” I state for my assembled masses.

Nobody moves and I note that Ben is up on the back of Devin’s truck keeping look out and I smile, no prompting just on duty. I move up so that my people, a very extended group of followers that surround my family, can see me. “Bring me Hideo,” I state loudly.

The crowd parts as Hideo, a younger and less scared version of Jun. Isaac, my crews personal spy, steps up with Hideo. I take note and hold my hand to the side for Isaac to step forward. “I asked for Hideo, you stand with him brother,” I ask Isaac.

“Yes, he has helped for nothing. He has done work for us when there was no reward other than the freedom that other’s would enjoy,” Isaac tells me with a very well prepared speech. I move Isaac aside and stand in front of Hideo. He’s not as scared as he was last year, I note that he doesn’t wear glasses like Jun did and he’s changed his wardrobe from prep to casual.

“I need technical support, not a geek or a nerd. I need an expert who can meet demands when they arise. You stand in the shadow of my first brother Jun,” I tell him expectantly. “I won’t fail you; Jun was my friend and looked out for me before he joined up. I just want to prove that I can do what is needed,” Hideo tells me with a little waver in his voice.

“Good now would you please crack Kori’s phone for free data usage or something because she’s downloading way to much shit,” I ask him getting a laugh from everyone as he steps past me. I would have brought Vicki in today and by the expression on her face she is looking at the rejection pretty hard considering Hideo and her started dating over the summer. Group blending, got to love it. Vicki starts to leave and I turn on my angry voice.

“Vicki get your ass over here now,” I bark and the assembled masses freeze and part the space between her and me. I watch her walk up full of fire and ready for an ass kicking of some sort. I’m not really pissed but I have no room for bullshit antics as she drops her bag unceremoniously and folds her arms. “I have stood in your defense; I have had you spared when you failed others. Today I saw you become vengeful towards Heather who is protected by me,” I start but she interrupts.

“I made a mistake but if you want to call me out on it in front of everyone because it will…,” I cut her off loudly. “Shut up when I’m talking to you,” I growl and everyone gets quiet,” I need someone who can stop nonsense like you showed me today before it starts. You just like anyone here last year knows how horrible it is to be stranded and alone. I expect you as one of us to be the one standing up to stop what you did today.”

“Yes sir,” Vicki says losing a bit of her nerve. I let her join up with Hideo and the happy couple is welcomed in, I point Vicki out to Ben and she knows that’s who she’ll report to in lieu of me. I need to delegate some of this authority and Ben is my watchman. I get everyone settled before addressing my extended family.

“For those of you underclassmen and women who decided to come out here and see what the big deal was I tell you now that I’m not as real as you have been told. I eat breath, sleep and shit just like everyone else. I will show you how to be respected, we will show you what it’s like to live without the petty fears that others schools have, and everyone here will tell you that you are welcome,” I am in speech mode as my family listens,” Spread the word but know this. You betray one of us, you betray all of us. You stand with us and come to harm, we will find them and we will make them beg you to accept the apology.”

I can hear the murmurs but my will needs to be known, a unified group moving forward and protecting each other. Same principal as my family but it needs to be spread out over a larger area. I let the students leave and see a lot the faces from last year giving new freshmen rides home, it’s a start. I take Kori home and get a warm kiss from her before heading home. Katy is in her room studying hard. I don’t get to spend much time with her as she is scrambling to get more done now as opposed to pacing herself. I can’t really fault her considering I spend two class periods a day doing online tests and courses. I contact Jun on video chat and he welcomes me to the modern age.