Chapter 15: A Voice of Reason
One day at school had taught Clarence a lot. That evening he listened to no music, and he spent no time looking at comics. Instead he spent the whole evening in his room in quiet contemplation. He was looking at himself in before and after terms. Even since he had first woken up in hospital after the accident, he had begun to listen to a voice of reason in his head. It was an honest voice, a voice that had nothing to gain by taking sides. Back then it had started as a whisper but now the voice was loud.
Knowing that he had hundreds of days left to attend school, he began his meditation by asking himself one question. How can I Improve on today? He considered the Breen affair and promised himself not to lose his temper if he ever got into similar situation. He thought about the principal had said in morning assembly and what Mr Lincoln had said in registration, then he promised himself that he wouldn't read too much into people's words. He thought, maybe they weren't talking about me. And maybe, he thought, all those people in the streets and their cars, and on the buses, maybe they weren't all looking at me. He walked over to the full-length mirror on his wardrobe and looked at himself. So what if they were looking at me? He asked himself. Two months ago, if I'd seen me looking like I look now; I would have had a good look. Be honest, Mr Clarence Wendell, you would have probably made some remarks, or even cracked a joke with your friends.
The next day Clarence went back to school with a sense of purpose. At lunch time he found the girl who had given him the "get well" card and told her as she was eating -I'm sure you didn't wan to offend me, so thanks for the card but you should know that I am well-
-I'm sorry-she said-I read about you in the newspapers, I really felt for you-
-Ok. I just want you to know that I'm not sick.
-Point taken. I'm sorry. Are we friends?-she enquired.
-Yeah, friends are cool.
He choose not to speak to Breen but he also decided not to make him an enemy. Rumors were continuing to spread about the role of drugs in the accident but Clarence displayed a positive attitude and carried on regardless.
The days felt much longer than they used to. Clarence continued the hours and the lessons as they was less self-conscious about his face but he made sure it wasn't going to stop him doing what he wanted to do, including his favourite pastime at school-gymanstics (?). He hardly felt any pain now. Most of the time he was only reminded of his new face when he touched it or when others stared.
On Thursday the school was talking about him for something completely different. That morning he took year 10 by storm with a stunning gymnastics display, first on the trampoline and then on the floor mat, his speciality. Some of the old fun-loving Clarence appeared when, at the end of a fantastic floor mat routine, he entertained the crowd with a mixture of comical dance and gymnastics. Clarence left school that day high-spirited. When he told his parents about his display that evening, they began to feel that Clarence was quickly and happily adjusting to his life in school.
Friday morning went well for Clarence. He was beginning to enjoy lessons like never before. Teachers and many kind of his fellow pupils could see that he was now keen to learn. He was showing a genuine interest in subjects and although he was not the prankster he used to be was beginning to relax.
At lunch time, Clarence made his way to the dinning room and collected his meal. After picking up his drink, he looked for his friends but Sophie was sitting with a group of her friends. She waved to him but he could see that there was no room there. Certainly there was no room for a boy. On the other side of the hall he could see Sumo and Jeff. He began to walk in their direction but as he reached them he could see there were no free seats there either.
-Where you have been?-Jeff asked
-I have to go and check something out in the library-Clarence replied
Jeff looked around and, seeing spare seats everywhere, said, -Well, we´re almost finished. Find a seat somewhere and we´ll see you afterwards-
Clarence looked around. He saw a group of boys and girls from his class sitting close, so he went over and sat down. –All right-Clarence said to them as he sat down.
There was a collective "All right" from everyone on the table and they continued to eat. All seemed to be going well until Beth, the girl sitting opposite him, threw down her knife and fork and exclaimed –Why did you sit down here?-
Clarence's response was quick –Because it's a seat and I wanna eat me dinner. This is the dinning hall, isn't it? What's your problem?-
-You're my problem-she replied.-you're putting me off my food-
Clarence could feel his temperature rising but the voice in his head reminded him of his promise to stay cool instead of all out of war, Clarence began a war of words with her.
-You put lots of people off their food with your smelly breath but we've all got to eat to live.
-Why don't sit you with your friends? They're used to you.
-Why don't you sit on your own?-Clarence replied with a grin.
-I was here before you. Look, there's lots of empty seats. Why you did come to spoil my dinner?-
-I can sit anywhere I want. Ain't no rules about where people sit as long as it's on a chair with a table in front of it. So if you've got a problem, go and get advice…I'm not moving.
Beth picked up her tray and stood up –I was going anyway. I don't have to sit here and let you talk to me like that-She walked off, emptied her tray and left the hall.
Clarence didn't eat much. He remembered promising himself not to lose his temper in times like these, but he was really upset by what had just happened. Only scraping plates and chewing of gum could be heard. Nobody knew what to say.
After the meal, outside in the playground, Clarence was approached by Malesica. –Can I have a word with you, Clarence?-she asked.
-Yeah, but I'm warning you, if you want to go raving tomorrow night…I'm busy…I'm washing me hair.
Malesica smiled. –Oh, what a shame. Serioulsy now…I just wanted to say that Beth didn't really mean what she said earlier. She asked me to say sorry for her-
Clarence was not convinced –If she's that sorry, why didn't she say sorry herself?-
-She's not very good at talking, so she sent me.
-She had a lots of mouth in the dinner hall-Clarence said-she's what I call a facialist. She's dealing in facial discrimination-
-Well she told me that she has nothing against you personally and that she justs gets put off her food easily.
-And what do you think about that, Malesica?
-I think she´s being stupid-Malesica replied-but that's the way she is. I'm always telling her how silly she can be-
-Well, you tell her some more-Clarence said as he walked away-tell her I said she's a facialist and if she's got anything else she wants to tell me…tell her to tell me herself. By the way, I'm sorry about tomorrow night…maybe some other time-
For the rest of the day, every time Beth saw Clarence, she hid herself of turned around and went another way.
The next day was trouble-free, a day of Maths, History, Geography and Biology. It was Friday and Clarence had had a week of ups and downs. He was very much looking forward to the weekend. At the end of the day, the Gang of Three and Sophie met at the school gate and began to make their way to Clarence's home. The other three felt protective towards Clarence and although it was never planned, each one of the term was to make sure he got home all right. Clarence was aware of his trend and he easily guessed why they escorted him every afternoon. He also realized that walking home alone on those first few days would have been very different without them.
As they walked down the street, Sophie made and announcement. –Right, you three-she said stopping suddenly and taking the gang by surprise-I've got something to tell you-
-I know what it is-Clarence said jokingly-you're gonna buy us all a present for being your friends-
-No-Sophie replied laughing.
Sumo thought that he should have a go. –I know you're…you're…you're gonna be rich-
-No, almost.
-Come on-Clarence insisted-tell us-
-Well-Sophie said-do you remember that hair shampoo commercial that I had done?-
The boys all nooded frantically.
-The company that I did the commercial for want me to do another one. I am playing the same person just a bit older. Do you know what that means?
Jeff tried to be funny -Yes, it means you're playing the same person…just a bit older-
Sophie was almost jumping with excitement. -Yes, but what's more important is that if they want me to play the same person that's a bit older, then they'll probably want me to do it again and again and again. I'll become known as the Nulocks Girl.
-So you will become rich-Sumo interrupted
-Maybe, I don't know. The money goes into a trust and I get it when I am eighteen or something like that.
Jeff and Sumo congratulated her. Clarence wasn't so sure. –Do you really want to be known as the Nulocks girl?
-That will only be for a time-Sophie replied-the agent said that the main thing is that it's just a high profile commercial, shown all over the world, and it'll get me even better work in the future-
-I suppouse that's not bad-Clarence replied half-heartedly-the problem is, I've heard of a thing called typecasting. It's where you get known for only one type of thing and no one wants you to work for them unless you're doing that one thing-
-Now look who's not beginning supportive!-Sophie snapped-what did you say friends were for again? You know this is a good chance for me and all you can do is criticize. Stop thinking about yourself once, Clarence. Why don't you try whishing me good luck?-
-I do wish you good luck but I'm just trying to warn you about business.
-What do you know about business? You don't know anything-she said angrily. She took a breath and conjucted-I'm young, so as long as I don't do too much of one thing I'll have time to change. That's what my agent said and she should know.
-Yeah, she should know-Jeff interjected in an effort to calm things down.
-That's right-Sophie agreed.
-Forget it. Just make sure that you remember us when you're rich and famous-Sumo added as they continued they journey home.
After their evening meal, Clarence's parents asked him how his week had been. He told them about the fight with Breen, only to discover that they already knew about it. At this point Clarence realized that during the week, many eyes had been watching him.
-I've been speaking to the director-his step-dad said-he told me that if you need some more time off, you should take it-
-I'm Ok-Clarence replied-I'm not ill, my brain's working Ok and I can hold a pen in my hand and write. So I don't see no reason why I should not go to school-
As Clarence step-dad was leaving the dinner table he placed his hand on Clarence's head and asked –What are you doing over the weekend, buddy?-
Clarence stood up and replied -homework- and then he went to his room.