R and B

The class was unwelcoming, nothing unexpected. I was supposed to be smart, a star math student. That was the plan, but I can't be a star math student if the math makes no sense. So mom called the school, school huffed, and a quarter into the year, I got a brain downgrade.

My yellow slip was clutched in my hand, and I tried my best to stand tall as I opened the door to the alien room. The teacher, short and chubby, seemed like a nice lady, not as stiff as my past teacher, but the students appeared to be uncontrolled. All except for you.

"Hello Rae, welcome to Pre algebra, you should be able to catch up fairly quickly." She took the crumpled paper from my hand and signed it, pointing to the empty seat in the back of the room, two rows away from you, "you'll be sitting right back there if that's alright." Though I could tell it wasn't a question. That would be my seat, whether I liked it or not. It was the last one in the packed classroom, and I could tell arguing with one of the animals amidst us was not something she wanted to do.

I made my way to my seat, lightly shivering in the icy cold room. Before I had the chance to sit down, one of the popular bitches I walked past made a comment about you, "I bet he doesn't even know how to read," she hissed to her friend next to her. I guess I never told you about that.

I looked your way as I slipped into my seat. You were trying your best to look intimidating, but I could see right through it, you were trying harder not to cry. Your bangs were hanging just above your eyes, and you were breathing heavy, not loud, but heavy enough to move the entirety of your small chest from where you were sitting until it touched your desk, before moving back down to your slouch.

I looked from you to the board, searching for a name to call my new teacher by. Up in the top corner, in unsteady hand writing it said Mrs. Camps.

The lesson began, and it was easy enough. I could tell she was a merciless teacher, the kind to call randomly on students, when the students didn't want to answer. Although it wasn't until she called on you that I decided I didn't like her.

"Chad. Would you mind sharing the answer you got with the class?" She knew you didn't have the work, but it seemed like she wanted to make you sick. You looked up startled, blinking through your bangs, before swishing your head to the side to reveal the lightest blue eyes I had ever seen. The class went instantly silent, which was surprising, and clearly uncommon.

You coughed, trying to clear your throat as you most likely hadn't talked all day, then gruffly whispered "I... I don't know." You choked for a second, still trying to keep yourself from falling into tears.

"I'm sorry, did you say something dear? I couldn't hear you?" The class roared into laughter, and I got pissed. You took in a breath to answer her again, but I beat you to it.

"He said he doesn't know Mrs. Camps. You must have heard him, the classroom was dead silent." She looked at me and stumbled for a moment, before giving the answer and continuing with the lesson.

You let out the air you took in, then sunk lower into your seat. Peaking up at me from the corner of your eye, you didn't think I noticed, but I did. Little did you know at that moment, that I would make sure no one dared say a word about you. Little did you know, that you had created a bond that I planned on never breaking.

I guess I was the lion you always told me I was.