Chapter 6 - Schools Out
Ewan gets some friendly advice
Welcome to part 6 of this epic exclusive YA urban fantasy saga. Feel free to reach out or comment if you like this story. Your feedback is what keeps the magic flowing.
It was exactly three thirty when Ewan reached the P.E department. Mr Hargreaves was just coming out of his office and the two nearly collided.
“Ah Ewan, bang on time, for once, come in come in, and sit down.”
Mr Hargreaves’s change in attitude caught Ewan off guard, “Err, yes sir.” he stammered as he entered his office and sat down on the hard plastic chair had been placed in front of Mr Hargreaves pockmarked wooden desk that had obviously seen better days.
My Hargreaves sat down his old, padded, swivel chair and leant forward placing his elbows on the desk.
“Do you know why you're here Ewan?”
“Yes sir, because I was late this morning sir.”
“No, it’s not because of that, or at least not only that.”
Mr Hargreaves continued,
“Despite what you kids think, the teachers here are not all stupid Ewan - at least not all of us. We see an awful lot about what goes on in this school. We see the kids that are succeeding, the ones that are struggling. We see the confident ones, the shy ones and the ones getting bullied.”
Ewan raised an eyebrow, the look of confusion evident on his face. This was not the kind of detention he was expecting and had no idea where this line of conversation was going.
“I know you haven't had the easiest time here, I can only imagine how hard it must have been since your mum passed away.”
At the mention of his mum Ewan’s defences immediately shot up. He didn’t need anyone’s pity, not after all these years. Although instinctively Ewan bowed his head and choked back the tears, because even after all this time any mention of his mum always had the same effect and Ewan didn’t want to let anyone see him like this, showing yet another sign of weakness. The weak, pathetic Ewan Wu, the boy who’s mum died.
Detecting the sudden change in Ewan’s demeanour, Mr Hargreaves realised his comments must have touched a still raw nerve as he gave Ewan a moment to compose himself before continuing.
“I'm sorry Ewan, I don't mean to upset you.”
“It's ok sir.”
“Look Ewan, let me be straight with you. I know you have the reputation of being probably the most bullied kid in the history of the school and what with your background and everything, life can't be easy.”
“No sir, having a Chinese face and Scottish ginger hair does make me rather unique.”
Mr Hargreaves chuckled at this,
“You also have a unique sense of humour as well. Ewan, I've been hearing your name crop up a lot recently and for the right reasons.”
Ewan was surprised to find himself nodding and smiling. He didn’t realise how easy it could be to talk to someone who he’d previously thought of as the epitome of all that was wrong with this school. It was a little disconcerting but he wished he’d seen this side of Mr Hargreaves years ago.
“Mr Crossley and Mr Wright have both have been singing your praises in the staff room. Especially Mr Wright, who seems to think we might have a budding author on our hands.”
Ewan was now totally confused, especially since he was still expecting half an hour of litter duty.
“Err, sir?”
“Yes Ewan?”
“Am I still in detention sir, I mean this doesn't seem like a normal detention?”
“Why? Have you got somewhere else to be? Is there an urgent meeting you need to attend?”
“No sir, just the opposite in fact.”
“Yes, I had heard on the school grapevine that Wayne Mackinson has made his feelings about you well known, what's that all about?”
“I've no idea sir, I just found out today. I thought he was off sick.”
“Look Ewan, boys like Mackinson are bad news. He’s just a thug and a bully and you’d be well advised to steer well clear of him.”
“Yes sir, I'd worked that bit out, but it's not easy when he comes looking for me, and I've no idea why.”
“Sometimes in life Ewan, we have to face our demons and I'm not suggesting for a second you go pick a fight with him. But, sometimes you get backed into a corner and standing your ground and not showing fear is the right course of action.”
“But how am I supposed to do that? Look at the size of me.”
“Come here Ewan, standup.”
Mr Hargreaves led Ewan to stand in front of a mirror that hung on the far wall.
“Look into the mirror Ewan, tell me what you see…”
Taking a deep breath he looked at his reflection, “I can see me sir?”
“What else?”
“I don't know what you mean sir, it’s just me.”
“Look deeper, do you know what I see?”
“You're not going to say, pride, power and a bad a…”
“No Ewan I'm not and I think you've been watching too many old movies. I was going to say beneath that awkward, gangly exterior, I can see a smart, confident young man.”
Ewan felt himself blush again. He was unaccustomed to receiving compliments and here he was being praised by teachers, left, right and centre.
Mr Hargreaves continued, “Ok, so he's not been dealt the best of hands to start with. But despite everything he’s been able to rise up and overcome his adversities and succeed,”
“Like a toothless budgie, sir?”
Now it was Mr Hargreaves turn to look confused.
“Suck seed, like a toothless budgie, sir.”
“Ewan, I want you to take this more seriously.”
“I'm trying sir, it’s just…”
“I know, I understand. Look, as I said earlier I know you've not had the easiest time and the asthma and the allergies can’t have helped either.”
As if on cue Ewan covered his mouth as the sneeze built at the back of his nose and exploded forward. Mr Hargreaves passed him a tissue.
“Regardless of all of that Ewan, you have massive potential. You just need to recognise it and allow your confidence to grow.”
“How do I do that sir?”
“Be prepared to fight for it Ewan. Confidence develops from the belief in yourself and your own self worth, and is backed up by the recognition of victories won, however small. Look again in the mirror. Keep staring until you can look at that person and truly believe that the person looking back is someone worth fighting for. If you can’t do that, then you’ll always end up being a victim.”
“But what about getting beaten up, I'm not exactly going to win in a fight am I.”
“It's not always about brawn, Ewan. Most self defence classes are designed to give smaller and weaker people a fighting chance. Good technique can always win over strength. Strength can fade with age, but technique can continue to grow and improve.”
Mr Hargreaves paused for a second,
“Look, I'm running some free boot camp sessions over the holiday, why don't you come along and see what it's like. It may amaze you to know but you're not the only one round here who could do with some exercise and body conditioning.”
Ewan wasn’t convinced.
“Plus a friend of mine is coming along to help, and he also runs a self-defence club a couple of times a week. That could help massively with your self confidence.”
“I don't know sir, can I think about it? The boot camp I mean. I don't think my dad would like the self-defence classes though, he's very against all that kind of stuff. He won't even let me watch old kung fu films at home as he thinks they’re too violent.”
“Well, that's up to him. It's not my place to go against your father or his beliefs, you must talk to him about that yourself.”
Mr Hargreaves stopped mid-thought as if remembering something.
“I'm sure I've seen your father practicing T’ai Chi in the park early in the morning, maybe that’s something you could do together?”
Ewan couldn't believe what he was hearing, as far as Ewan knew his dad hated anything to do with martial arts of any kind. Yes he always went out early for a walk in the mornings to clear out the cobwebs or so he said. Ewan had never heard any mention of T’ai Chi or anything remotely like that.
The watch on Mr Hargreaves wrist beeped.
“Oh, is that the time? I must go, you can get off too if you like Ewan, I'm sure all the noise has died down now. Although I'll turn a blind eye if you still want to duck out across the playing field through the back gate.”
“But sir, what about the litter duty?”
“See, that's one of your strengths Ewan, conscientious as ever. I’m sure the caretaker will sort it over the summer.”
“Yes sir, thank you sir.”
“And remember what I said, I hope to see you at boot camp next week, the details are on the school website.”
Ewan picked up his bag and left. After a moments hesitation he set off in the direction of the back gate, not wishing to push his luck where Mackie was concerned any further.