Ch 7
School Blues
Fiona was worried. It was the boy's first day at school. She knew it might be rough seeing it was a mixed school and some kids mightn't understand them. Likaz was up first and playing with some toys. He was nervous about today. Fiona noticed this on her son's face. "I know you're worried but it'll be fine. You'll see." She told him as she woke up Mik. He was being hyper as usual and was excited. "Is it time yet? Huh? Huh?" he said hyped up. Fiona laughed at this. "Not yet honey. Let's go have breakfast." She said to them. Likaz and his brother then ran into the kitchen. Fiona smiled. Likaz was back to his normal, hyper self. That was good to know.
"Hey honey did you sleep well?" Shrek said as he walked into the kitchen. "Yes but just nervous for them." She told him. "Uh- huh. I know it's the boy's first day at school but they'll be fine." He told her as he kissed her.
"Yeah but it's Mik I'm worried about. Remember that the boys were like us and Mik's like you so he'll be emotionally distressed if the other kids… out him for being Ogrese. I don't know how to handle that when they come home and he's upset." Fiona explained to him… "I know. Look if that happens, I'll help explain it, okay? No sense you getting upset too." he told her. He watched as his sons were eating breakfast. He hoped nothing would go wrong.
But later when they came home, Mik was very quiet. Likaz however was hyper and happy as usual. He watched as his brother went into their room. "What's wrong with him?" Fiona said to him. "It was the other kids. They were being mean to us and saying mean things." he told her. This worried her. "What did they say?" she asked nervously. "They said that we didn't belong and that they were going to bring stones and things into class to hurt Mik and me with. They also took our snacks and pushed us outside." he explained. Shrek was also shocked by this. He watched as Likaz went outside to play. He then went into their room and found Mik hiding in the closet. "What're you doing in there?" he said to him. "Just trying to hide. That way I wouldn't have to go to school tomorrow." he told him. There were a few bruises on his small face which looked sore. "Where did those come from buddy?" he asked him. "The other kids. They threw stones at Likaz and me but Likaz walked off. I'm... scared. Daddy do I have to go back? I don't wanna go back to a place where everybody hates me." he said with tears in his eyes. This was more than he could bear.
He then scooped his son into his arms. "Hey, it'll be okay. I know it's not great. Mommy and I... are very upset by this, even scared to hear that others are being this way. It isn't fair when one species prefers itself over the others. Mommy and I are going to stop it, you'll see." he said reassuringly as he tickled Mik but he wasn't laughing like he normally did. "You don't like it, do you?" he whispered to him. Mik nodded as he curled up in a ball under his blankets. Shrek sighed as he left the room. This was worrying him but more so Mik.
He took a look at his son as he left and went back into the living room. Fiona was in the kitchen making dinner. "H-How is he?" she asked him nervously. "Not good. I tried talking to him but he's really upset. Did you see the bruises on his face?" he told her. "Yes I did and I'm worried. I need to talk to him. Maybe we should raise his self esteem a little." she said. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Yes. This thing is making him very down and is lowering his esteem. We've got to raise it before things get worse." she explained...
Later on she watched as Likaz cleared his plate of dinner but Mik hadn't eaten any and left the table. She was worried for her son but wanted to help any way she could...