Different Yet the Same

The school bell rang out as kids rushed through the halls, trying to make it to their classes on time. Stratford High School in Dallas, Texas, was amongst the top-ranked schools in the state, excelling in both academics and extracurriculars. The school had earned numerous awards in track and field, Model UN, football, and cheerleading over the last four years. However, the persistent issue of bullying in school remained a challenge. Liam Perry had a hand in all but the cheer squad. A twelfth grader, an all-round athlete, and an academic with a near-perfect GPA, Liam was the school’s Alpha. Everyone wanted to be like him and liked by him.

Spring had just set in, bringing comfortable temperatures and perfect weather for the upcoming track and field state qualifiers. Rumors circulated that scouts from many of the state’s top universities would be there, and Liam was ready to give them a show. As the fastest runner on the track team, Liam was set to run the final leg of the 4 x 100M relay race and anchor Stratford High School into the state championships- an accolade that was sure to win over any would be scouts in the bleachers.

As everyone filed into their second-period classes, Liam took his usual seat in Mrs. Law’s 12th-grade English class.

“Okay, everyone, settle down,” called out Mrs. Law from behind her desk. “Today we will continue with Act Four of Hamlet.”

Mrs. Law began to write out the scenes on the chalkboard, as she had done in every previous class. “Who wants to write a summary for the first three scenes?”

Three students rose from their chairs and walked to the chalkboard. “While they do that, I want to know who will be at the Track and Field qualifiers tomorrow? I’m sure we are going to get the spot.”

A couple of students raised their hands, but one in particular caught Liam’s eye.

“And what are you planning on doing there, Jessie, hopping behind us?” A few other students at the back snickered.
“Coach Miller told me to be there,” said Jessie rather loudly.

“Well, I guess every team needs a water boy, right,” snarked Liam.

“Okay, that’s enough boys. Liam, since you seem to be so vocal, why don’t you write the summaries for the next three scenes on the board,” said Mrs. Law.

While Liam went up to the board, Jessie hung his head, looking only at the top of his desk. Jessie was one of the newer students who transferred to Stratford when his old school closed down mid-semester. Unlike the other students, Jessie drew a lot of unwanted attention. In the summer between 8th grade and high school, Jessie lost his leg in a car accident and learned to walk using a prosthetic. By now, Jessie had become an expert and could move around like any other person, but despite that, the torment of bullying in school never seemed to end. Being tripped, called names, or pushed into lockers and bullied was a daily occurrence at Stratford, something that Jessie was forced to get used to.

He had often considered bringing these problems to the school’s guidance counselor, but if the experiences of his last school were anything to go by, Jessie knew it would only make things worse. Plus, there were only a couple more months left of school; Jessie would soon be free.
The bell rang out once more, signaling the end of the second period. Everyone packed up their belongings and rushed off to lunch, and the atmosphere was tainted by the undercurrents of bullying in school.

Jessie walked out of the classroom, and Liam followed close behind. Once they disappeared into the crowd of students and were out of sight of Mrs. Law, Liam walked into the back of Jessie, causing him to lose balance and fall right into a set of lockers that lined the wall. The sound of metal clanging rang out and caused people to turn and watch as Liam walked past. Laughter echoed out for a few seconds before a voice called out.

“Hey, what’s happening here?” said Coach Miller as he ran to help Jessie up.

“Jessie tripped, coach, took a nasty fall. Is he okay?” Liam feigned concern, masking his true intentions.

Jessie stood back up and retrieved his scattered books from the ground. “I’m okay, coach, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Are you sure, Jessie? Do you want to go to the nurse?”

“I’m all good, coach, thanks.”

Liam slowly backed away until he disappeared into the crowd of students; Jessie proceeded into the cafeteria, doing his best to avoid Liam for the rest of the day.

When the final bell rang, Jessie left out the back doors of the school, crossed the football field, and took the alleyway to the next block. Jessie lived only a few minutes away from the school, so he decided to walk every day. It gave him the chance to unwind after school and get rid of all the built-up anger. The warm sun, along with a crisp wind and the fresh scent of flowers that lined the gardens, blew new life into Jessie.
When Jessie arrived home, he tossed his backpack into the floor and retreated to his bedroom, leaving only for snacks and dinner. The rest of the night was spent reading the rest of Hamlet and finishing up other remaining homework. Once he finished reading the last few pages, Jessie called it a night. He would have to be up at 6AM the next to get to the Track Field on time. It was only about fifteen minutes away, but because Jessie was not officially part of the team, he was not allowed to travel with them.

Jessie woke the next morning to the sun barely peeking out behind the horizon. The sky was a calm pink with few clouds, and a warm breeze carried the scent of fresh flowers through the air. Jessie got up, dressed, had a hefty breakfast, and retrieved a large bag from beside the front door.

“Bye Mom!” yelled Jessie as he walked out the front door. He hiked down the street and waited at the bus stop. Five minutes later, he was on his way.

The qualifying races were being held at Bluefield high, the wealthiest high school in the entire state, thanks to all the rich parents of its students. Donations and investments were never denied, and its students always seemed to have some of the highest-grade averages. The outdoor track was pristine, as if it had been renovated for this very moment. Kids from every school in the state began to arrive and set up along the grass. Parents, teachers, and community supporters quickly filled the bleachers. The track team from Stratford was already in a huddle when Jessie arrived. He set his bag down and took a seat on the bleachers, watching the meeting unfold. Liam glanced up to see Jessie looking right back.

When the huddle broke up, Coach Miller walked over to Jessie and sat beside him. “How are you feeling, kid?”
“I’m great, coach!”

“Good, we are about to start.” Coach Miller stood up and took his position as the runners got ready on the blocks. A single shot fired into the air, and the runners were off the blocks. The crowds erupted in cheers and celebrations for every race. As the hours drifted by, runners and teams were eliminated one by one. The Stratford team was about to run their final race, a 4 x 100M relay race. Coach Miller called the team together for a huddle.

“Okay, this is it, we are one race away from qualifying. Every one of you have done so well this far, and I am very proud, but I have to make one change to this team. Liam, you will not be running the anchor for this race.”

“What?” Liam called out. “Coach, why not?”

“Because Liam, I have a zero-tolerance rule for bullying in school. And your actions over the year have become increasingly worse, but yesterday’s actions were inexcusable.”

“But Coach, there are scouts here, I could get a scholarship.”

“I’m sorry son, but you knew my rules from the very beginning and chose not to follow them. This is your own doing.”

“But coach, if Liam won’t anchor for us, who will?” said another runner.

“Jessie,” Coach Miller called out. “You’re up.”

Jessie stood up and walked over to the team. “Jessie you are going to take Liam’s spot and run the anchor, are you ready for this?” said Coach Miller.

“Yes, Coach, I am.” Jessie walked back to the bleachers and retrieved his large bag.

“Coach, what are you talking about, how is he going to run?” yelled Liam.

The coach remained silent and simply pointed to Jessie as he returned to the team, this time with a prosthetic runner’s blade.

“Don’t be so quick to judge others, Liam; Jessie is an excellent runner.”

Liam sidled over to the bleachers and rested his chin in his hands. He watched on in anger, cursing under his breath and gripping his fists as tight as they would allow. Jessie and the rest of the team took their positions on the field and waited for the shot. A pop filled the air, and the first runners were off; moments later the baton was passed to the next set of runners and then the next set. Jessie, feeling the stress intensify, was up next; he watched his teammate close and took off running. He grabbed the baton and sprinted around the corner; the other runners were not far behind, but Jessie was in the lead. On the final stretch, Jessie poured every ounce of remaining energy into his legs and pulled ahead of the others at the last second, crossing the finish line in first place.

Jessie settled next to Coach Miller and dropped to the ground, trying to catch his breath.

“Holy, crap that was amazing!” Said Liam as he ran over. “I didn’t know you could run like that.”

“Liam, I can do anything you can do. I may not look the same but that doesn’t mean I’m different,” said Jessie through his panting breath.

“That’s right Liam, if you had taken the time to know Jessie, instead of bullying him in school, you would have realized that he is no different than anyone else. I think you owe him an apology.”

“Yeah, Jessie I am sorry for the way I treated you. I should have never done what I did, and I am sorry that this is what it took for me to realize it. Hopefully we can move forward, as friends?” Liam extended his hand, hoping for reconciliation amidst the echoes of the past bullying in school.

“Sounds good to me!” Jessie grabbed hold of Liam’s hand and pulled himself up.

“You know this means we are going to have to see whose faster, right,” said Jessie as he walked over to the bench.

“You’re on!”

Coach Miller put his hand on Jessie’s shoulder and walked him away from the team. “I have to say, Jessie, it’s not easy to overcome bullying the way you have, but I am very proud of all the hard work you have put in. Keep going and you’re going to have great things happen to you.”

“Thanks Coach, and thanks for giving me the chance to run.”

Jessie, Liam and the rest of the team packed up and filed back onto the buses, all cheering and celebrating Jessie as Stratford’s new superstar.