Chapter 10

Rebecca had done her best to hide her son's fresh wounds and bruises as much as possible with that long sleeve sweater. Despite it being at least 77 degrees on that warm September, he'd be forced to dress to the opposite extreme, just to appear 'normal' on this very first day of school. Mom had made sure his glasses were clean and his two small books were in order before stepping out of the car.

That 10 minute drive was the longest in Bruce's entire life, hesitant about what might happen. These were strangers, every single one of them. 'Would they hit him? Would they beat him if he didn't get the answers right? -

Rebecca knelt to the damp grass, wrapping her arms around his small figure giving him one more hug. He'd be safe here, away from home for a longer amount of time.

Her little scientist didn't seem to enthralled with the idea of leaving Mom, as his arms couldn't have held her any closer in their embrace.

She pulled away holding her hands gently over his shoulders. Her voice was soft, but Bruce knew better: She was scared, upset, and slightly uneasy. No matter how many 'parent-teacher' conferences she had already arranged for herself, leaving her most precious possession, even just for the day, was difficult.

"It's okay baby, you'll be fine. You be very good for Miss Helen, listen to what she says. Okay darling?" He nodded, never smiling, never really expressing any emotion. This scared Rebecca as she cupped her hand over his cheek, "Are you okay baby?"

He nodded in a whisper, "Yes Mommy."

Her eyes shifted to his left eyebrow, black and blue. Her delicate finger brushed over his eye, whispering, "Bruce, I'm- I'm so sorry." Her arms wrapped back around him. Though he wasn't exactly sure what she was apologizing for, it was comforting just to have her arms wrapped around him one more time.

Tears filled in her eyes, all she ever wanted was a family, peace, and a loving home. All she had ever wanted was taken away from her. Without Bruce, she knew her life wouldn't be worth living.

She cupped his small face one more time, kissing his forehead, "I will be back later. Be good. I love you very much baby."

His eyes meet hers, "I love you Mommy."

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1st Grade

Miss Helen was a strange young woman, hair up in a tight bun, always wearing heals that clicked on the tiled floor. She barely knew the names of the children in her first grade class, calling them 'boy' or 'girl'. Despite having them the year before in kindergarten. She had little control over the class, often letting them run around for the first 5 minutes of every lesson.

'Tommy' was the worst, leading the little wee devils into every sort of trouble he could find. Lucy followed him everywhere, practically worshiping the ground he walked on, dragging Hannah, and David along with her. The other 7 would just watch and laugh, dare them to continue harassing Miss Helen.

As always, Robert Bruce would sit in the corner, immersed in his books and in his lessons. Half the information learned, he had already knew and he excelled in. Unfortunately, his intelligence would always go unnoticed, as Miss Helen wasn't one to actually 'check' the work the way she should have.

But the children knew about that strange quiet boy in the corner. Wearing glasses and long sleeve sweaters, even in the middle of a heat wave. They knew his mind never stopped, watching him work tirelessly on problems children at least two years older were busy with.

Tommy wasted no time spreading rumors about the 'little freak in glasses.' David would laugh, calling out to him during their breaks, "Hey, freak! What's on your face!" Tommy would chime in, "What cat got your tongue?"

He'd ignore them, covering his ears, never shifting his focus from off the written page. It was only that day the annoying little girl decided to physically 'attack' Bruce, when things went wrong;

Hannah had no problem poking him, in an attempt to illicit a response. Bruce pulled away quickly unaware that she had even snuck up behind him. His body slid, he screamed as he fell off his chair. Hannah snickered running to her own desk, "Your so weird!"

Helen turned around seeing Bruce, the only child on the ground. She crossed her arms, "Robert Banner! Are you paying attention? Or should I call your mother?"

Tommy laughed, whispering behind him to David, "Bobby needs his mommy!" David chimed in, "His name is what?"

Bruce trembled coming up to his feet, "I'm sorry Miss Helen."

She snubbed her nose, before turning back around to her chalk board, "You should be. Disturbing my class."

Tommy rolled up a small dampened piece of paper into a ball at the urging of Lucy. She jumped in her seat, "Do it, do it, do it!"

He was all to happy to oblige throwing the paper ball at the teacher. Helen whipped her head around, eyes narrowing at Bruce. He looked up, over the rim of his glasses, confused as to why she looked that way.

She placed her chalk on the board, "That's it. I've had enough."

Lucy sunk in her chair, Tommy covered his mouth hoping that strange kid would get in trouble.

Miss Helen grabbed Bruce by his wrist dragging him from the room as she yelled, "Mr. Demetrius! Can you take him down to the principals office? I need to teach my class."

The strange man nodded more focused on the teacher then the child, "Certainly ma'am. And I didn't forget about our little date later you know."

Her face turned red handing Bruce into his grip, "Oh, Demi, you make me blush!"

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Bruce fussed to pull out of his grip as they struggled down the hall, "Lemme go! Don't hit me!"

The teacher growled, "Come on kid! Enough already! I'm not gonna hit you!"

They reached the stairs, Bruce finally succeeded in pulling away, twisting and forcing the teacher to release his hold. Demetrius pulled at his neck smiling at his little maneuver, "Take it easy! That's how you break your wrist."

Bruce huddled his back to the corner trembling as a tear slid from his eye, "Don't hit me!"

The young teacher gave a nervous chuckle, lifting his hands in a surrender. He paused in his step, "Easy kid, I'm not going to hurt you."

His body couldn't have gotten any closer to the corner. He quickly removed his glasses, holding them in his hands as he covered his face expecting a punch.

The teacher stopped in his tracks, dropping his arms, "Geez! Enough already!" He crossed his arms, his body ready to stop him from running off, "What's your name kid? Is it Robert?"

His voice shook with uneasiness, "Bruce Banner."

Demetrius raised an eyebrow, "Bruce? Not Robert?"

He refused to respond, never moving his arms from over his face. The teacher dropped his voice, "Can you, follow me, at least?"

No answer.

-Forget the Principal, this kid was going to the psychologist!- The teacher felt a hint of pity, wondering what could've possibly shaken him up that much. Mr. Demetrius held out his hand, "Come on, follow me."

Bruce hesitantly listened, refusing to permit anyone to touch him, maintaining a safe distance.

They past the lab where 3rd Graders worked on their models. The teacher couldn't help but notice his curiousity. He smiled, "They're making things for science class. What? You like science or something?"

Bruce kept quiet, still observing their work as they headed down the hallway. There was something about his shy behavior that the teacher connected with.

Another lady cam up walking the other way, heals clicking calling his name, "Mr. Demetrius? Principal Harris wants to speak with you."

"Oh good! That's just where I was headed."

"No, it's not good. He's aware of your unprofessional careless behavior in a school that doesn't allow for personal affairs with other teachers!"

"Um...We've got a kid here!?"

"No excuses. I'll take the kid. You just report to that office unless you want to get laid off!" She reaches down aggressively grabbing Bruce's wrist, "What he do?"

Demetrius takes the paper, "Careful with him, he's a little fussy. I was tempted to take him to the psychologist honestly. He was shaking in the corner."

She rolls her eyes, "Oh, you abuse children too?!"

"No! I would never!" His eyes narrow.

Bruce feels a lump in his throat, pain in his wrist, and tears in his eyes. -Why couldn't he just go home already?-

She waves her other hand gripping the boy a little tighter, "You know what Demetrius, for all your rubbish, I'd rather you just get laid off! I'm sick and tired of covering you! You hear me?!"

"Okay, just take care of the kid, I'll take care of myself, alright?"

"What's his name?"

Demetrius gives a smile, "Bruce Banner."

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Bruce waited in the cold room on a small chair waiting to be called. His knees were brought in with his arms wrapped around them, hiding his face.

Mr. Demetrius slammed the door entering the lobby where Bruce waited. He looked up startled by the teachers behavior. The Secretary snickered, "Serves you right Demi. Going to the bar to find a new job? Probably the only place where you'd fit in anyways."

He snickers at her before glancing back at Bruce, "See you around kid." He held out in his hand in a final attempt to make amends. Bruce just looked at it then back at him. The teacher waved his hand in a surrender as he headed for the door.

Principal Harris stepped outside his office into the lobby, "Robert Banner?"

Bruce looked up, not sure of what to do. The Secretary pointed to the only child in the room rolling her eyes, "Banner."

The principal rubbed his face in exhaustion. Bruce was called in way too many times over nonsense, not once caused by him individually, "You called his mom?"

She nods.

"She coming?"

She nods again.

"Okay then what does Helen want me to do? Beat him?"

Bruce shudders, misunderstanding his sarcasm.

The Secretary laughs, "I'll handle it if you want to go home."

He nods in agreement lifting his coat of the rack and heading for the door.

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