Davie had a cut above his blackened eye that was bleeding. He did not care. He was in the guidance counselor's office, for the sixth time this year. He did not care. And this was why he was at Hillworth. He also did not care about that. The fight had been worth it. Albert "Big Bert" Blackstone was a rich bully, even here at Hillworth, who often beat on those smaller than he he (that was why he was at Hillworth). Including, little Andy Naxter, who was in for hacking and was trying to turn his life around. Big Bert wanted Naxter to to help to help him hack into the school's computer for some scheme. Big Bert never took no for an answer. Davie was often the Hillworth Hero among the smaller guys - teaching the bullies that "No." Meant "No." And it often got him landed him with suspension.
Today, however, he was seeing a new guidance counselor. Mr. Lancesing, the other counselor was at his wits end and was ready to send Davie to Juvenile Detention. At the moment, he didn't care. He felt like he had done the right thing. The new counselor had asked if they could give him a try, and Mr. Lancesing agreed.
Mr. Keaton walked in and sat at the desk before Davie, nodding to him. "Ata Boi Jaimeson correct?" Davie nodded and opened his mouth to speak. Mr. Keaton spoke first. "But you prefer to be called Davie. I understand why." Davie nodded. Mr. Keaton smiled gently. "Did you know that 'Ata' is Egyptian for 'Twin'? So Twin Boy.. and if I'm not mistaken, you have a twin sister, and she has an Egyptian name as well." Mr. Kenton, commented, studying Davie's file.
Davie's eyes widened. He had not known all of that, except that for Dawn being his twin sister and her given name 'Kakure' being Egyptian. "You've done your homework." Davie muttered.
Mr. Keaton looked up with a pleasant look on his face and nodded. "Not only that, but I've been studying your behavior. Davie, you don't get in fights for just any reason." Mr. Keaton frowned. "You're not a bully, and while you do get angry, it's not for personal reasons. Every time you get into fight, you are protecting someone smaller than yourself. And that could be a good thing. You have a good heart."
Davie frowned. "Um thank you, does that mean I can leave now?" Mr. Keaton frowned. "Unfortunately, no. I said that it could be a good thing, not that it is. There's couple of problems. First, we still have several boys, including yourself needing medical care - including stitches. Do you understand why we can't have that every month?"
Davie understood perfectly. "Yeah. No one can live peacefully or safely while two or more are at war." Mr. Keaton smiled widely. "Very well put. Secondly, ..." He inhaled sharply, like he felt like this was a difficult topic. "Did you ever think about how detrimental it is for Andy and the others, for you to be fighting their battles for them?"
Davie stared at him, very confused. "Detrimental? To Andy and the others?"
Mr. Keaton sighed. "Let me put it like this. When you're gone, either graduated or expelled for fighting, who will fight for them? With you doing all their fighting for them, they never learned to stick up for themselves. See my point?"
Understanding now dawned on Davie. When he left, there would be no one to step for them and since they couldn't stick up for themselves, bullies would have the run of the school, at least until something was done.
"What can be done? I want to fix this." Davie declared. Mr. Keaton nodded, smiling. "I had hoped you would. As your punishment, I would like your help in running some programs, I'm trying to set up to teach some of the younger, smaller, or otherwise less confident boys to stand up for themselves, and make themselves heard and understood, without getting into fights."
"I'm in." Davie agreed.