Here's a quick, unplanned one-shot paralleling something that actually happened to me yesterday.
The final bell rings, and the room fills with the sounds of students packing bags before streaming towards the door.
"Simon Seville, I need to have a word with you."
The 'munk catches a glance from the last of his classmates exiting during his approach to the teacher's desk, uncertain of what this discussion would entail. Once Simon reaches the opposite point of the front desk, he waits patiently for the man to look up from his papers to begin the conversation.
"On the behalf of the Principal, me, and a fellow teacher, I called you up here to inform you that we will no longer tolerate the lack of a smile, the omission of 'hello' to us whenever we address you, and the silence you sometimes give when we ask how you are doing, be it in the classroom or the hallway. Failure to change your behavior will lead to detention and even expulsion, if necessary."
The young teenager stands completely still, utterly dumbfounded. Sure, he never acknowledges everyone he passes with words for he typically returns a simple nod if he recognizes their gestures over the noise of his own thoughts. Not to mention being reserved in social settings by nature.
"Your rude and disrespectful behavior is no longer going to be tolerated at this school."
Simon's heartbeat begins to accelerate, echoing in his ears. The statement he heard cannot possibly be ethical punishment. With these standards Alvin should be in a Juvenile Detention Facility, or worse! What about his academic standards? He always strives for excellence and even helps students in the hallway with quick questions between classes.
"Nearly every day you come into my class with an angry or negative expression on your face and that attitude spreads to your classmates. How can they enjoy my class with your negativity?"
His face, by default, rests with a slightly negative expression, not to mention his general lack of interest in the present subject material despite his continuous hard work nevertheless. Reflecting back on a past night, the 'munk watched himself in the mirror as he felt like he was smiling, out of general curiosity, and shock filled him as he discovered his lips moved slightly, never higher than a horizontal position. Of course he's capable of smiling more pronouncedly, when excited or with friends. Even so, how is his so-called silent 'negativity' preventing others from enjoying his teacher's lectures? From what he concluded many students in this class have no interest in it whatsoever!
The faculty's specific revelations continue to disturb the blue-clad chipmunk. Logically it makes little sense that some insignificant social niceties are infiltrating a place that should be dominated solely by high academic standards. What does it matter to them if he says hello every time, or not at all? And what about the rest of his classmates with even less manners and educational prowess? Or those that are capable enough to socially please everyone but learn nothing?
Silence stretches by. He knew something should be said to defend himself, though the sudden hit of an out-of-the-blue accusation derails the sorting of thoughts into a sound argument. He needs time for the flood of emotions adds to the damper of his logic processes.
He never felt so misunderstood as he did in this moment. The Chipmunk never sought to be disrespectful, even though, for the most part, he could care less what most people thought about him, other than his brothers, The Chipettes, and his closest friends of course. He simply operates outside the bounds of preexisting social constructs and shouldn't be punished for that fact.
"I-I didn't mean to appear as if I am rude or disrespectful. Those that know me well understand. I am generally quiet and indifferent with people I do not know, which is why I usually nod instead. And I am not angry most of the time; this is my normal expression. If anything I have problems with others not taking their learning seriously because I have high standards for success and that can be irritating."
Simon finishes his quiet rebuttal, though disappointed with its quality. Supporting evidence felt left out, but time limited what he could untangle from his spiderweb mind.
"This isn't going anywhere. See that you work on changing your behavior Seville. You can leave now, I have homework to grade."
Simon exits the classroom in a daze, unsure what to do now as a seed of outrage grows in his gut.
"Did that really just happen, him getting in trouble for something so irrelevant to the purpose of this institution?" he questions himself.
The boy drags himself down the hallway and exits the school to begin his journey home alone, absent-minded to the world around him. Shame from the situation slowly creeps in. He is so discriminating against himself that such negative words directed towards him hurt on a deeply personal level. He himself felt disrespected. He is one of the best performing students in the school. Why was he singled out for such a verbal lashing? Nothing seemed logical about being threatened with such severe punishment for an irrelevant behavior he never thought about or for receiving the threat before even given the chance to explain himself. Why did he even need to defend himself against something so petty? Is this what his life is going to be filled with? No one is entitled to someone's time or private feelings, no matter the position of authority they are in.
Simon shakes his head to stop himself from getting lost down the rabbit hole. He knew from experience just how easy getting trapped in how the world should operate was. He needed perspective from those around him to better sort out his thoughts.
The 'munk slowly enters the Seville residence, surprised to find his brothers, The Chipettes, and Dave waiting in the living room for him. Approaching the expecting party increases his feeling of vulnerability. Simon's nervousness builds, despite them knowing him the best, as he considers many of his thoughts, insecurities, and feelings especially, to be highly personal.
"What is it Si? Alvin probes.
Simon explains the events which occurred after class as quickly and clearly as possible, hoping they'd understand. Then he asks the question on the edge of his mind.
"Do I-I seem rude to you guys?"
"That's ridiculous!" Eleanor immediately proclaims.
Theodore chimes in next. "Yeah, you're one of the friendliest people I know."
The quick defense begins to lift the Chipmunk's spirit as he turns to hear what Brittany and Jeanette have to add to the discussion.
"I've overheard some saying you're weird and others claiming you can be rude before, but I know you much better than they do. You're just being yourself Simon."
"Perhaps you come off that way to those that have not gotten the chance to get to know you or are emotional insecure themselves, considering how blunt and sarcastic you are at times, but I have never thought of you that way."
Heads turn toward Dave as he begins to speak his thoughts.
"Look Simon, we know you do not intend to come off as rude or cold-hearted, but it's not a bad thing to be more aware of how you might make others feel around you based on your actions. I don't mean you should go out and completely change yourself, though perhaps you should make a little extra effort to make sure these teachers know you are not purposely ignoring them. If this becomes a bigger problem, I can call and talk to them too."
Before he can reply, Alvin drapes his arm over Simon's shoulder.
"Listen Simon, don't listen to what those teachers have to say. Me and you both know better. We can fight this together if we have to."
Simon removes Alvin's arm before thanking his family and friends for their honesty and support before heading outside. He needs some time alone, feeling the last of the day's sun rays, to clear his head. As he witnesses the sunset transforming the usually gray, thin clouds in the distance into shades of yellows, oranges, pinks, and purples, a smile creeps over his face with a confirming belief.
"You may make changes in your life, but you know who you are and so do those nearest you; that is all that matters."
Everyone I talked to after this situation thought what happened was ridiculous so I thought it would be best to get the event out of my head through something Simon may experience. How messed up do you think this is?
As for an update overall, I do have many planned writings for the future including the bonus chapter of "Pantiosity" (which I'm in the process of writing now) and a new series dedicated to one-shot Brimon moments. Be on the lookout if you're interested!