Robin rubbed her neck and let out a tired sigh as the kids all went outside to have lunch. It was moments like these that kept her sane. Slowly, she walked over to her desk and pulled out her small lunch bag from the drawer and set it out on her desk. She sat down, the chair softly creaking. She chuckled. It was also this moment of silence that helped her keep her head. She smiled at the old taped up drawing on her desk. She remembered it clearly... --- She smiled to herself as she sat in one corner of her room, her crayons strewn all over. She picked up her master piece and looked at it gleefully. On the paper were two stick figures, herself and Rita. One drawn in black crayon and the other tan. Across the top, in only the best scribbles an 8 year old could manage said, [i]Best Freinds Forevr[/i] She could hear the sound of footsteps and quickly, small hands and feet were scrambling to get up off of the ground as someone entered the room. Robin hid the picture behind her back, turning to see who it was. Her heart sank and her smiled faded at the sight of her father. [b]"Robin? What [i]are[/i] you doing?! That is your best Sunday dress! Come, let's clean this mess up. It's time for your piano lesson. You're late!"[/b] He scolded her, his eyes harsh and unforgiving. Little Robin shifted in her spot, the drawing still hidden behind her back. She knew her father didn't like her relationship with Ms. Rita and he'd be angry at the drawing... [b]"What's that you've got behind your back, Robin? Let me see."[/b] He told her, snatching from her hands before she could say anything. She felt her heart sink, her head lowering, cowering under his shadow. She could feel his hands shaking, the anger growing. [b]"What the hell is this?! DON'T EVER DO THIS AGAIN. THIS WOMAN IS NOT YOUR FRIEND! SHE IS YOUR EMPLOYEE."[/b] He barked at the young girl. He ripped up the drawing and pulled her away to her piano lesson, his face angry and cold. Later that day, she came back to her room to find Rita sitting on her bed, something in her hands. The small girl walked over to Rita, her hands shaking, the fear of her father's rage still ingrained in her mind. She gulped and got closer. As she did, Rita looked up with a small smile on her face, the piece of the picture in her hands. [b]"Bless you, my child..."[/b] She whispers, tears spilling from her eyes. --- Robin sighed and closed her eyes. She'd kept that picture and eventually taped it back together. Everyday, it reminded her of her promise to Rita. She ate her lunch in silence, relishing the moment she had to herself and when she was done and walked outside and rang the bell for the students to come back inside. She stood by the door and they filed inside. Once they were all seated, she went on with her day. Every so often she see Philip throw a piece of paper at Leo, one of the few colored students in the class. Robin would simply walk over, continuing her lesson and stand nearby Philip, the throwing stopped and the day continued. Soon, she noticed two other boys near Philip, Reggie and John, join in and mess with one of the other colored students, Freeya. They'd put pieces of paper in the poor girl's hair and poke her with their pencils. Eventually, enough was enough and Robin walked over to them. [b]"You three."[/b] She began, standing above them. [b]"Stay after today. We need to talk."[/b] She told them and went on with her lesson, ignoring their bad behavior for now. The day ended and the boys never showed up to her. She sighed, deciding she'd just have to take time tomorrow to deal with them in front of the class. If this was how they were going to act, this was how she was going to have to deal with it. If that didn't work, she'd have to contact their parents. Done with grading papers for the day, Robin put everything up and packed up her bag, heading out. As she walked down the street, she heard something. A small sniffling coming from one of the alleys. She sighed, resigned, and followed the sound, only to see the three boys from before. [b]"We'd like you to stay after class today, Ms. Robin."[/b] One jeered. [b]"Yeah, stay after class, nigger lover."[/b] Another quipped, his words sharp and his eyes slanted. [b]"Just stay still and maybe we won't hurt you."[/b] Philip, the leader explained, a wide grin growing on his face. Robin's eyes grew large, fear growing but she quelled it, not wanting them to see it. [b]"Why I never!"[/b] She shouted. With that the boys lunged at her. Her bags feel as they tore at her, swinging punches and ripping her dress. She tried her best to keep her eyes on the boys, never letting them show pain, the look of a teacher that deeply cares for her students. She never threw a punch in self defense, though she knew how. She knew there had to be some other way to deal with this. Suddenly, a big colored man jumped in, cracking his knuckles. Her eyes grew wide and she yelled out, [b]"No!"[/b] but it was too late. The man punched Philip hard in the gut, causing him to double over, the other two ran. She watched with wide eyes as the colored man turned to look at her, worry in his eyes. He couldn't see the knife that Philip had pulled. Robin pulled her hands over her mouth, muffling a gasp. [i]Why are they like this? What have we done to them?[/i] She closed her eyes, tears forming in them. She heard the crunch and her eyes shot back open to see Philip running, his arm bent in a way it shouldn't. [b]“Are you all right lady?”[/b] The man asked, offering her his hand. She looked down at it, remembered her father's anger. She closed her eyes and wiped the tears away. She took the man's hand but once she was upright, she let it go. [b]"They... They aren't all like that. I just..."[/b] She began, trying to come up with some excuse for her behavior. For the most part she blamed herself. She sighed. [b]"I just wish they'd use that clever talent they have in class rather than trying to get back at me."[/b] She chuckled, looking up at the man. [b]"Thank you for saving me. Though, I must wonder what will come of you when they're parents find out."[/b] She told him, looking up at him, her eyes crystal clear. [b]"I'm Robin. Robin Cartwright."[/b] She told him, holding out her hand for him to shake.