Note: To those who don't know, this is from the movie Tough! (aka Johnny Tough). A rare film from 1974 based on the movie, The 400 Blows.

*I do not own this movie. All credits go to Horace Jackson*

~o~

Johnny was quiet which was strange for the hyper, energetic boy. He would usually be clowning around with his classmates, but today he just sulked in his seat with a somber look on his face ignoring the chatters that surrounded him. His unkempt appearance was messier than usual making him stick out among his well-groomed classmates. Johnny's eyes visible with bags and dark circles, looked down at his desk and just stared. He didn't want to look at anyone, or even be there.

Running out of the classroom and excluding himself from everyone was a thought he didn't brush out of his mind. His teacher, Mr. Bishop was one person he didn't feel like dealing with today. He was mean, demeaning and scary at times. It was obvious he hated his job and didn't really like his students or the other kids in the school much, seeing he was always yelling at them.

But Johnny was one student he wasn't too fond of. Because of his trouble making acts, his job got harder and it escalated to the point of him getting physical. Demonstrated by slapping Johnny across the face twice yesterday for misbehaving. While harsh to Johnny, he never hated the kid. He just annoyed him to no end and wished he was more disciplined.

But Johnny doubted his teacher not hating him, as he thought back to the memory of being hit. The stinging sensation he felt in his cheeks made him flinch. Being African American, Johnny scented a bit of racism hidden in his teacher's demeanor. Since the end of the civil rights movement, it was common for white teachers to be more daunting to their black students. But aside from the poor relationship he has with his teacher, his home life wasn't any better.

Johnny lives in a middle-class neighborhood with his self-absorbent parents, who rather focus on pursuing their dreams more than their son. His mother, Denise, is an aspiring actress desperate for Hollywood fame. Because of her goal, she is hardly around to support Johnny. When at home, she is apathetic and only perceives him as something obstructing her way to achieving her acting career and doesn't pay him much attention.

Her uncaring and vain persona exasperates her hard working husband of 7 years, Phil. An insurance salesman and bowler who treats Johnny his step-son with more content than his wife, who he believes is the pinnacle reason for Johnny's behavior and their failing marriage. Phil spends time with Johnny whenever he can. He has conversations with him and exhibits more patience. These moments between him and his stepson were not often, but do not go unappreciated by Johnny.

Although his wife's attitude towards Johnny was understandable, due to his constant thievery and telling lies, her bitterness towards his stepson still stirs frustration within him. Because of their rocky marriage, arguments were frequent in the household.

His parent's dysfunctional relationship and his teacher's temperament took a toll on Johnny's mental and emotional well-being. Making him feel he is at fault for everything that goes wrong. Johnny felt tears well in his eyes and willed himself not to cry.

The sound of creaking coming from the back of the room and a door being shut quieted the class as their teacher, Mr. Bishop, stepped in holding a black suitcase in his right hand. Sharp eyes behind clear, aviator style glasses scanned the room as he walked up to his desk. Clicking from cognac leather Derby shoes accompanied each step and echoed through the room. Johnny put his head down, dreading that all too familiar sound. Mr. Bishop sat at his desk and pulled out an attendance paper along with a pencil from his suitcase.

"Good morning." He announced.

"Good morning, Mr. Bishop!" Roll call went smoothly until he called Johnny's name.

"Johnny Banes." Silence filled the classroom. Johnny's head was still kept down, refusing to say anything. Mr. Bishop sighed and called Johnny's name again a little louder.

"Johnny Banes!"

Johnny lifted his head and glared at his teacher.

"When I call your name during attendance, you answer. Understood?" Johnny remained silent, only nodding his head. Mr. Bishop noticed something off about him and wanted to have a talk.

"Johnny stand outside the door in the hall, please."

Johnny stood up and walked to the back of the classroom with his teacher right behind him. He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. The class started talking much to the annoyance of Mr. Bishop. Rolling his eyes, he stuck his head in the doorway.

"Quiet!"

Getting his class settled down, he closed the door and focused his attention on Johnny. He didn't look well and it concerned him a little. Johnny looked down at his feet; not wanting to look his teacher in the eyes. "John, what's going on with you?" Mr. Bishop exhaled through his nose when he received no response. His patience was starting to diminish.

Grabbing Johnny by his chin, he tilted the boy's head up to look at him. "I said, what's going on with you?" Johnny looked his teacher in the eyes trying to hide the tears forming.

"Nothing. I'm fine." Mr. Bishop didn't believe him, but didn't want to waste his time arguing with him when he had a class to teach.

"See me at dismissal time. Come on."

Mr. Bishop nudged Johnny back into the classroom. "Quiet!" The students stopped talking once more, as Mr. Bishop led Johnny back to his desk. Mr. Bishop stood in front of the chalkboard, the preamble written across it. He grabbed a yard ruler and pointed at the first sentence of the preamble.

"Pay attention. I want you all to have the preamble memorized by tomorrow because I will have each of you recite this." The class groaned at hearing that.

"Quiet down! Let's begin. We the people... of the United States... In order to form a more perfect union.." Mr. Bishop turned away from the board making sure his class was focusing. His eye caught his student, Maurice, wearing a hat inside and didn't approve of it.

"Maurice, take that hat off!"

Maurice rolled his eyes, taking his hat off revealing a small Afro. Mr. Bishop continued on.

"Establish justice... insure domestic tranquility ..." interrupted by the sound of whispers, Mr. Bishop turned around to see a student with his foot on top of someone else's desk. The kids' silent argument ended when they heard their teacher tap the chalkboard with his ruler.

"Now get your foot down and leave him alone!"

Letting out a sigh of annoyance, he continued on before taking a glance at Johnny, who wasn't really listening. He noticed him wiping at his eyes and it softened his face. He stopped himself from yelling at Johnny to pay attention and went back to reciting the preamble. Johnny felt a tear run down his cheek and set his pencil down to wipe it away. He sniffed a little too loudly causing heads to turn at him. Mr. Bishop heard it and looked over at him.

"John, what's the matter?"

"N-nothing. I'm okay."

Mr. Bishop decided to start recess early, their on hold talk for at the end of class cancelled.

"Okay everyone; clear your desks and line up for recess quietly. John, you stay. We need to speak." The students lined up at the door, itching to run outside.

"Be back within 30 minutes. Go on." The class left in an orderly line leaving Johnny and Mr. Bishop alone. Mr. Bishop went over to Johnny, seating himself in the desk in front of him and intertwined his fingers, silence between them. Psychology was not something he specialized in, but gave it a try anyway.

"John, talk to me. What's bothering you?" Johnny shook his head. Looking down at his hands folded in his lap. Mr. Bishop moved closer to him and spoke in a hushed voice.

"John... I know I haven't been the nicest to you and I understand you don't want to talk to me, but right now your behavior is worrying me. It may not seem like it, but I do care about you and I want to make sure everything is alright. Now, tell me what's wrong."

Johnny looked at him with sodden brown eyes. Tears he's been holding now dripping down his chin.

"E-everyone hates me. My parents hate me, you hate me, no one cares about me and it's angering me. I try to be good, but I always fail. My parents fight every day and I feel like it's my fault." Johnny was sobbing now. "I'm sorry for causing so much trouble. I'm sorry."

Mr. Bishop's heart broke a little seeing him cry. This kid never cries. Reaching out his hand, he placed it on Johnny's back and rubbed it in soothing circles. "John look at me, son."

Mr. Bishop took Johnny's face in his hands and turned his head to look at him. "I don't hate you. You drive me insane sometimes, but I never hated you. I'm strict with you because I want you to stay out of trouble. I don't want you falling behind. You're a good kid, Johnny. I know you are. You just need proper guidance."

Johnny looked deep into his teacher's eyes. Looking for any lies that may be hidden but only saw sincerity. His thoughts of his teacher despising him disappeared and felt some weight lift off his heart. Desperate for comfort, he slung his arms around his teacher's torso and clung to him. He cried in his chest; dampening his cream colored tie. Mr. Bishop was taken back by this, but wrapped his arms around Johnny and held him.

"Shh, hush now. It's okay." Johnny only cried, balling a fist into Mr. Bishop's brown suit jacket. "I'm just tired of everything! I don't know what to do anymore."

"I know, son, I know. Everything is going to be alright."

"No, it's not. Last night, I heard my parents talking about putting me away because I can't behave. They want me gone."

The thought of being sent to live somewhere else scared him. Johnny cried harder at possibly being separated from his family and friends. Especially his step father, who he feels truly loves him. Mr. Bishop looked at the child with sympathy. Not knowing what else to say, he lifted Johnny up by his armpits and placed him on his lap.

Johnny was shocked at his uncharacteristic behavior. The only comfort he received from this man was a small hug and pat on the back from when he lied about his mother passing away from cardiac arrest. Wanting to be held by someone was a secret Johnny always kept to himself and cherished this odd moment of affection from his teacher. Johnny laid his head on Mr. Bishop's chest as he was slowly rocked back and forth.

"If you need someone to go to John, I'm here for you. I'll be more than just your teacher. If your parents won't show you any love, then I will." Johnny pulled away from his chest and wiped his face with his sleeve.

"Do you mean that?" Mr. Bishop gave a smile and wiped away Johnny's tears with his thumb. "Of course I do."

Johnny beamed and hugged his teacher tightly. Mr. Bishop chuckled, burying his nose into Johnny's fluffy Afro getting a sweet whiff of cocoa butter. This is the first kid who has ever hugged him and not wanting to admit it, felt good.

"Mr. Bishop?"

"Hm?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"Will you... be my second father? I know it's crazy because of how we are to each other, but I need another dad in my life." Mr. Bishop was surprised at hearing this. None of the kids at this school saw him as a fatherly figure. They either feared him, or hated him because of his anger and constant nagging. Those words touched him and found it hard to decline such an innocent request.

"Of course I will and it will just be our secret, okay?" Johnny nodded his head. "Okay."

"There's a good boy. Now, come here."

Mr. Bishop pulled Johnny back into his chest and held him. Johnny snuggled close to him and relaxed in his arms. The warmth from his body scented with aromatic cologne was soothing, putting him in a state of tranquility and security. Drowsy, Johnny closed his eyes letting Mr. Bishop's faint smell of bergamot and cinnamon along with gentle rocking lull him to sleep. Mr. Bishop laid his head on top of Johnny's and softly nuzzled his forehead.

The two stayed in each other's arms in silence, the laughter and joyous screams of children from outside the only sound heard. Johnny's short slumber was interrupted by a question he's been asking himself for quite a while. Since his first day in Mr. Bishop's class, he not once knew his first name. Johnny took this opportunity to ask him.

"Mr. Bishop, what's your first name?"

"My first name? Richard. Why?"

"Just wondering."

"Well, now you know. It's Richard."

"Thanks for telling me and since you're going to be my second father, can I call you dad?" Mr. Bishop cooed at him.

"Sure you can, but only when we're alone."

Johnny nodded and cuddled back into him. Mr. Bishop swallowed and leaned down; placing a small kiss on Johnny's cheek, the area where he slapped him. Guilt crept up on him as he thought back on the incident. He didn't mean to hit him at all. Mr. Bishop held Johnny tighter and whispered an apology.

"I'm so sorry for hitting you, Johnny. I'm sorry. I'll never hurt you again. I promise." Johnny looked up at him. "It's okay. I forgive you."

Mr. Bishop gave him playful little kisses on his cheeks causing Johnny to giggle. Mr. Bishop took it up a notch and tickled Johnny's sides making the boy cry with laughter. "That's enough now! I'm gonna piss myself!" Mr. Bishop laughed and ceased his ticking.

"Okay. I'm going to return to my desk. Everyone should be coming back right about now."

"Alright."

Johnny gave his body a stretch before sliding off his lap and walking back over to his seat. Mr. Bishop stood up, straightening his slightly wrinkled shirt and tie. He returned to his spot in front of the desk and grabbed his ruler, clutching it in a tight fist. He placed a hand on his hip, his stern side returning, as he waited for his students arrival. The class noisily entered the room, taking their seats and talking loudly to each other.

"Quite down and take out your books! You have a recitation tomorrow so start studying!"

Mr. Bishop looked over at Johnny and gave him a little wink. Johnny shook his head smiling and opened his history book. Motivated to make his teacher, his dad proud.