Chapter 3
The class continued as normal with occasional intervals when Reilly decided to throw his book at TJ when he looked at Vince during a quiz and was accused of cheating. Also when Reilly hit TJ over the back of his head when TJ forgot to write the date at the top of his and quiz and lastly when TJ only got 23% on his test he was told to stand in the corner at the back of the classroom with Reilly occasionally coming around and kicking TJ's legs out from underneath him.
The fifth graders were in two minds about what to think. They wanted the bell to ring so they could be free of the terrifying teacher however they knew when it did ring they would be leaving their leader alone with the madman.
Finally their fate was decided when the bell rang and Reilly gave them permission to leave. On their way out TJ received a lot of sympathetic and scared looks, and he felt fear start to bubble in his chest.
"I said leave", TJ turned around to see his friends staring defiantly at the teacher.
"No way, we're not going to stand around and let you beat on our friend", Spinelli yelled back.
"Oh, why must you be so cruel to our beloved TJ", Mickey cried in an almost poetic nature.
Reilly began laughing and grabbed TJ roughly by his hair, his hat falling off and rolling down to Spinelli's feet. "Hah, you've got this whole school whipped, don't you?! Well now", he turned back to the gang, pulling on TJs hair harder. Vince felt his heart rip in two as he saw the tear marks down his friends face. "You're going to go get your lunch and let this little bastard serve detention, or he'll have detention every day until Miss Finster returns".
They were prepared to stand their ground against him until they hear TJ's panicked yells, "Just go, before I get in anymore trouble!"
"But Teej-".
"Please, I'll serve my detentions and then it'll be over". At hearing their friend's pain filled words they nodded and made their way to the door.
Once they exited they made their way slowly to the cafeteria. "He didn't even notice he dropped his hat", Spinelli pointed out.
They entered the cafeteria and all eyes turned to them.
King Freddie approached them, "Though I have not always liked Detweiler, we are all behind him".
The cafeteria ladies looked around confused as every child in the room made a silent pact.
They would protect TJ Detweiler.
Xx—Back in the classroom –xX
Reilly sat at his desk staring at TJ with a fascination one does not want to receive from a teacher.
"So TJ Detweiler, do you know why you have detention?" He asked while walking around his desk and standing in front of TJ so they were almost touching nose to nose.
Because you're a psychopath?
Instead TJ settled for shaking his head.
He received a reply via a fist connecting with his jaw. Reilly punched TJ so hard he flew backwards and hit his head off a desk.
His vision blurred and he became slightly dizzy and confused. TJ felt hands on his shirt pulling him up, but didn't stop when his feet touched the ground, and continued until his was eye to eye with his teacher, his feet several inches off the ground.
"Wrong answer", he hissed before crashing his lips against the younger boy's.
TJ's mind jumped back to full awareness at this action and he began to struggle against the man's hands and mouth.
Reilly took no notice of this as he pushed TJ back against his desk and straddled his hips. TJ looked up at the man with fear evident in his eyes and he opened his mouth to yell for help when a knock sounded at the door.
Reilly pulled himself up and straightened TJ's clothes which had become disgruntled in his attack. Reilly cleared his throat and called, "Come in".
The door pushed open to reveal...Menlo?
"Excuse me sir? Miss Lemons sent to tell you there are some more documents in need of your signatures", TJ felt relief wash over as he realised that Menlo had just saved him.
"Ok, TJ you can go get your lunch, however you still have detention after school", TJ really heard the hidden message beneath that. I'm going to finish this off after school.
He left the room with Menlo in tow and TJ made his way to the cafeteria.
He was barely through the door when he was bombarded with questions.
"Are you alright?"
"Did he hit you?"
"Does this mean our plan worked?"
TJ looked at Gus, "What plan?"
King Freddie stepped forward, "You see Detweiler we heard about what this new teacher was doing to you and decided it needed to stop".
Lawson cut across him, "Yeah we got Menlo to fake some papers for Reilly to sign so you could get out of there".
TJ looked around in disbelief as everyone was looking at him with reassuring smiles on their faces. "You guys all did that, for me?"
He was determined not to cry.
They all nodded in confirmation.
"Now we need to get down to business", Vince turned serious and everyone looked at him confused, "What are we gonna do about Teej's after school detention".
"Oh Teej, I almost forgot here is your hat", Spinelli handed it to him and he stared at it for a second then smirked.
He put it on and turned to them, "Guys, I have a plan".
