A broken, dejected James mopes through the door to his home. His mother looks to him and motions for him to come to the table. As he slides himself out of his sneakers, his eyes never leave the floor. His father takes a note of this and decides to bring it up. “How did the cape go at school? We heard some stories and were wondering if they were true!” James dragged his feet past as his father watched him slowly making his way to the table. “It was okay.” James slid into a chair and stared straight ahead, unblinking and deep in thought. His mother and father exchanged some glances but decided not to press it.

The food was extremely delicious, and James expected no less. He stared at his plate and fiddled with his veggies until finally his mother decided she couldn’t take it any more. “James honey, what’s wrong?” Without looking up from the peas skewered on his fork he muttered words almost inaudible to anyone. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m okay.” His father stopped eating and stared at his tiny offspring. “Son, the stories we heard from school sounded like you had a mostly good day, but here we are and you seem entirely somewhere else.” James shifted his eyes in his father’s direction for only a moment before rolling them quickly back to his fork. His father shook his head with dissatisfaction and withdrew from the table, taking all cleared plates with him. As he stood at the sink rinsing them off, his wife joined him. “What do we do Will?” She asked with the genuine concern of a mother for her first-born. James’ father met her eyes with his. “I’m not sure. We should probably just leave him alone for tonight.” As he finished up cleaning he turned back to her with a question in his eyes and suddenly on his lips. “Did you want to put him to bed early Emily?” She nodded, “It has been a long day for him.”

As she carried James up the stairs, Emily was beginning to feel like there was nothing either of them could do. As she laid him into bed, she whispered softly in his ear about getting up early for a bath. James hated bathing, but more than that he hated getting up early. As she pulled his blankets up James scowled at her. “I don’t want to get up early. It’s not fair!” He crossed his arms and stared at her defiantly. She crossed her arms and stared back equally as defiant. “Well young man, perhaps you should have been more sociable tonight. Instead you’ve been cranky. Good night, sleep tight.” She kissed his forehead and began to leave the room. Just as she turned out the lights and the remaining rays leaked in from the hallway, James could make out two glowing red dots in his closet. Before he could call for her, his mother had left him in the room… the room with the Phantom in the Closet.

He had told his parents about the phantom before and they never believed him, as parents never do. He had woken up many times to see the Phantom sneaking away from his bed, or peering at him from the shadows or even from the closet. After confronting a bully, what was a Phantom going to do that the bully couldn’t? As he pretended to sleep, James laid still with one eye slightly open. As the glowing eyes emerged from the closet, he watched as they slid within the confines of the shadows, up walls and across the ceiling. Finally James opened his eyes and waited for them to adjust. He could only see the two extremely confused looking red eyes staring back at him, as if that’s all the Phantom was, just a pair of eyes. He decided to break the ice. “Hi, I am James. What or who are you?” After a few minutes of silence, James noticed the eyes had yet to blink. “Are you okay?” As he moved from the bed he heard the closet door slam, upon his inspection of the ceiling, the beast was gone. So much for that idea, but then again, he probably isn’t used to people talking to him. As he turned around to get into bed, he noticed a rather large lump already under his sheets, with two red eyes glowing through them. It had been a trap, and now James was separated from his bed.

As the afternoon crawled by James got anxious for going home. He hadn’t paid much attention at school yet, it was seeming that he was easily distracted. When Miss Delilah looked at him, at least he was facing the board this time. Class continued and James made the effort to participate. He was extremely glad when everyone got paired up for a partner art project. He got partnered with Alex, and he sat beside him at the art table. “I like art a lot.” James smiled and looked at the paper. It was empty now, but it had the potential for dragons, monsters, ghosts and anything he wanted. As he looked at Alex, James realized he was looking away. “Alex are you ok?” James sat staring at him for a few minutes and asked again. Alex turned to him and shrugged. “I’m fine.”

As their paper became a war zone for stick men, Alex finally cracked a smile. James looked around and noticed other students were looking at him too. He turned to Alex for the answer. “Why is everyone treating me different now? Did the hero thing wear off that fast?” Alex took a deep breath. “People don’t know what to think. You seem a little crazy. They like they you stood up to a bully, but you’ve been staying outside after the bell. I guess they’re worried that you’re going to be the next bully.” James shrugged. “Why would I be a bully?” Alex looked around and realized other students were watching them. “Because no one can hurt you, so now they’re scared of you.” James shrugged. I can’t win, no wonder why Willow doesn’t like the other kids. As he looked around, other kids looked away. Finally the buzzer sounded and he was ready to go home.

As he got on the bus he made sure he got to the back so he could see if Willow was following him home. The bus pulled away and he watched closely. He kept watching. He watched for the entire ride to his stop. As he got off he noticed his Mom was waiting for him again today. “How was your day James?” She watched as James looked up and down the street and then back to her. “Yeah, it was ok.” She smiled and fixed his makeshift cape. “How did you manage to stop a kid from being bullied?” James snapped out of his daze. “Oh yeah, I just got between them, and I got punched. But it’s okay.” She shook her head as she watched James trot on ahead of her. What a crazy kid she had, but she had never been more proud of him.

James ran in and tossed his cape and backpack aside. His father stirred from his nap on the couch but James was gone again before he could get a word in. He shrugged and nodded back off. Bursting back through the front door, James ran straight down the driveway and looked around. Much to his dismay, there was nothing there. Nothing but dirt and road. As the breeze blew his hair around, James felt compelled to call out to her. He resisted the urge. Where could she be? Maybe the Mothership took her home. Or maybe her parents wouldn’t let her come. His shoulders dropped in disappointment, She’s not coming either way. He turned to go back home and ran smack into something. “Ow, what’s wrong with you?” As he looked across the ground from where he had landed, he spotted Willow rubbing her forehead. “Your head is really hard you know. Probably why bullies don’t bug you.” James jumped up and helped Willow to her feet. “I’m glad you came, I didn’t think you had.” Willow looked around. “Maybe if you’d have paid more attention you’d have seen me. But I don’t think you’re very good at that.”

“James, supper!” His mother’s call normally was a treat, she was an excellent cook. However today it just seemed to be another distraction. “I’ll wait here.” Willow said with a certain finality in her voice. James shook his head. “Don’t be silly, my Mom would love to meet you!” Willow shook her head. “No thanks, I’m not a fan of parents much either.” James looked confused, but shrugged it off and accepted it. “Wow, you don’t like anyone do you?” Willow’s scowl was the angriest look James had seen ever. “Well, I did just follow you home. But I guess that means nothing.” James stepped back, and back pedalled. “No, I meant you don’t like many people, aside from me anyway. I mean not that you like me. Do you?” Willow looked down at her shoes just as another call for supper sounded through the air. “Go James, but I am going home now. I’ll see you tomorrow after school.” As James watched her drive away, he couldn’t help but wonder if she really was a friend. He stood and watched as she rode her bike forward into the ever looming dusk and out of sight.

James waited patiently through art and writing practice, constantly glancing outside to see if he could see his new friend. As time passed he realized she wasn’t out there. Perhaps maybe she had run home, which could mean she was close to the school. He wondered if she was thinking about him and their chance encounter this morning. Suddenly he heard his name. “James, are you listening?” His head spun to see Miss Delilah waiting patiently for him. “Sorry Miss, I guess I wasn’t.” He hung his head in shame. After all, he really liked Miss Delilah, and he didn’t want to cause trouble for her. As the lesson went on, James paid more attention but his mind kept wandering back to this girl. Finally the lunch bell rang. James bolted from his seat and toward the door, the last thing he heard was Miss Delilah shouting to him to ensure he came in this time.

He was so anxious he couldn’t finish his lunch. As he sat in the playground staring at it, James found himself thinking up scenarios of what he would say. I live over here, maybe your Dad or Mom could drive you over. No, what if she doesn’t have parents? What if she’s an alien? What if she’s planning on abducting me? As a slight chill ran down his spine, the buzzer sounded for the end of lunch. James sat in the bushes again, waiting for the teacher on duty to leave. As he emerged from the bushes, he looked behind him just in time to see Willow sneaking up on him. She smiled politely at him. “You might want to be careful, I hear aliens can sneak up on you.” James immediately had a whole conversation about what she said in his head.

Maybe she read my mind? Why pick aliens? Maybe she really is an alien? She is really sneaky. James eyed her cautiously. “Ahem, I was wondering if you’d like to come to my house sometime?” As he posed the question, he tried to read Willow’s expression. She seemed not to care at all. James leaned in as if she didn’t hear him. “So did you want to?” Willow looked up at him and smiled, that gap as evident as ever. “That’d be neat, I can follow you home from school if you want?” James looked confused. “Or, you could ride on the bus with me.” She stared at him. “I hate the other kids. Hate them. They’re mean.” James shrugged. “Well I guess I’ll meet you at the end of my driveway after school then?” Suddenly Willow got up and looked back to the school. “Yeah, ok, bye!” With that she ran back through the bushes and James just watched. This girl was beyond confusing.

“James Kent, I told you not to be late young man!” Miss Delilah stood behind him, scolding him from just beyond the playground. As he turned, James slouched his shoulders. “Sorry Miss, was just saying bye to a friend.” Miss Delilah looked around with a concerned look on her face. As she watched a car exit from the staff parking lot, she feared the worst. “James, I’m sorry, but for disobeying me I need to put you in detention, you will spend lunch and recess tomorrow with me in the class.” As she issued his sentence, James nudged the pebbles beneath his feet with the toe of his shoe. “Yes Miss, it won’t happen again.” Miss Delilah took his hand and brought him all the way back into the school.

Second day at school, second day sitting in the principal’s office. James sat in his chair with a large grin on his face. He had won this battle. His pride kept the tears back and he looks around the room. Suddenly he realized the bully was staring at him, actually more glaring and perhaps snarling. James couldn’t help but smile. “I think Miss Delilah called you Ronald MacDonald.” The bully didn’t blink, nor move. James sat swinging his feet content of his actions so early in the day. He felt like a hero! Maybe wearing his underwear on the outside gave him superpowers? Only time would tell. As Miss Delilah emerged from the office with Mrs Stein they both looked at the bully with disapproving eyes. “James Ronald MacDonald. Your parents have been called, and you will remain in my office until they arrive. Do you understand?” The bully nodded sadly.

Mrs Stein then turned to James and stifled back a smile. “As for you young man, I hear you saved a fellow student from bullying?” James looked up to her and nodded. “He was pushed to the ground. There was nothing he could do, so I moved between them.” As Mrs Stein and Miss Delilah shared a glance, Mrs Stein turned back to James. “That was a very brave thing you did. Not many people would stand up for someone in trouble like that. Especially a child as mean as a bully.” James nodded and then looked to Miss Delilah. “I know, and I might get bullied more, but I don’t care. I like helping people.” Mrs Stein smiled. “That is an excellent way to think James, I’ll be calling your parents today as well… but with a much different story to the one I have told Mr. MacDonald’s parents.”

As Miss Delilah helped James out of the chair, he found himself more proud than he had ever been of anything. But before the two could leave the office, a large man with red curly hair burst in and glared at James. He looked at Miss Delilah and winked. “How do you do Miss, my son is here. James MacDonald is his name.” Miss Delilah shook her head and pointed to the boy in the far corner. “He’s over there, and hopefully he’s learned a valuable lesson today.” As she ushered James out of the office he turned in time to see the bully’s father smack him across the top of his head and grab him by the arm. James shook his head. I’ll bet his father was… or possibly still is a bully too.

Upon arriving in class everyone got up and clapped. James was surprised and Miss Delilah began shushing them. Alex was already sitting in his seat when James strolled over. “Thank you for helping me. I don’t think he’ll pick on me any more.” James nodded and turned to face the front. As he thought back to Ronald’s father hitting him upside the head, he couldn’t help but feel bad for the bully. As the smile drained from his face Miss Delilah started the class with some simple spelling. Alex leaned forward and whispered to James. “Everyone thinks you’re a superhero. You got punched and didn’t cry.” James turned and smiled. “I felt like one! I got in between you guys and even though he hit me and it hurt, I felt better than I hurt!” Miss Delilah shushed the two boys and continued on with the lesson. As James turned back around in his seat, he noticed the young girl with tangled hair out on the playground again. Today he would get his chance to talk to her.

As the bell tolled for recess, James broke away from the class and made his way outside. He would need to find a place to hide while the teachers went inside. As he made his way from the other kids, he managed to hide in some bushes. As he snacked on the granola bar his mom had packed, he waited patiently for recess to end. Finally the buzzer sounded and everyone went inside. His plan had worked! Now all he had to do was wait for the girl to go to the playground. He waited for a few minutes and began to wonder if she would show up. It was beginning to look like she wasn’t. After ten minutes of waiting, James rose from the bushes and brushed himself off. As he turned to make his way around the bush he came face to face with the girl with the tangled hair. As he stumbled backwards in shock he tripped and tumbled backward making a full somersault until he was facing her again. She giggled and thrust out her hand to help him up. He grabbed hold and got off the ground. “Hi… thanks for that. Not the scare, but the help off the ground.” She stared at him as if he had said nothing. James scratched his head. “My name is James, and you are?” She grinned showing she was missing a front tooth. “My name is Willow, and I’m an adventurer!”

As the two played on the playground for a few minutes, James got concerned his teacher would soon realize he wasn’t there. “Willow, I’ve got to go back to class, but it was nice to meet you. Maybe we can hang out together at lunch?” She shook her head. “No, kids are mean.  I don’t like when it gets crowded here.” Suddenly they both looked up as Miss Delilah came bursting out of the school doors. “James, why are you still out here?” James turned to Willow but she had already ran for the bushes and was long gone. James turned to Miss Delilah as she picked him up off the ground. “Come on now James, I was getting worried I had lost you today!” As James turned back to the playground he wondered why Willow wasn’t in school. He decided not to mention her to Miss Delilah, but he was surprised that she didn’t say anything about Willow either. After lunch he would tell Willow his address, and hopefully learn more about her.

Despite it being only his second day of school, James had already met with one of his largest obstacles at school; Bullying. Today was a new day though, today he would overcome all odds. Today he would fight back. He had fashioned himself a costume for school and after getting out of bed, he decided it was now or never. As James put on his costume, he felt stronger than ever. He felt like he could do anything. Actually, he really didn’t feel any different. But today! Today would be different! As his mother greeted him coming down the stairs she looked to his father for advice. As his Dad jumped up to get a better look at what his son had taken from his story the night before, he realized that James had decided to accept the nickname a bit too much.

Wearing a pair of jeans with a pair of red underwear over them, a blue sweater with a zero marked on it and a red towel cape; James had fully embraced the nickname. “Son, I love you, but I don’t think William went as far as to dress up as the Green Ranger.” James crossed his arms and stared disapprovingly at his father. “Maybe not, but I searched Superman last night and he is a hero and he wears his underwear on the outside!” William looked to his wife and she just snickered as he tried to explain his way out of this one. “James, it was just a story, the point was to accept the nickname and adapt to it. Not necessarily become it. After all, your mother and I love you very much, not Super Zero.” James looked back and forth between them and decided that he should try this. “Nope, I’m going to school. This will work. I promise.”

James and his mother walked to the bus stop again, the fresh dew soaking their shoes. As they arrived, everyone was turning to see the kid dressed up as a superhero. James looked to his mom and smiled as the kids came over and talked to him. Maybe this isn’t so bad after all, she thought. Suddenly another parent approached her. “I hear your boy has been getting bullied already, my girls are in his class and they won’t stop talking about the bully.” The male parent stopped to judge her reaction and seeing nothing, continued. “Do you think it’s a good idea for him to go to school like that?” James’s Mother turned to him and smiled. “I’ll let him try it. He wants to do things his way, it either works or it doesn’t. What matters is he learns from the experience and moves past it.”

The bus ride to school proved rather eventful as everyone wanted to sit with the superhero kid. As James told a few kids about himself, he managed to start making some friends. Not bad for a second day! Once they arrived at school, James got off the bus and he had a crowd around him as kids asked him questions and wanted to know more about him. He found it all really strange, especially since the day before, no one even noticed a kid stealing his recess. As he made his way through the crowd he spotted the bully across the playground. He was already bullying the poor kid who was now sitting behind him in class. Not today though, it would stop today. James marched past everyone and defiantly stood between the bully and Alex and crossed his arms. “Stop.” The bully looked to his friends and couldn’t believe his eyes. “Super Zero got himself a costume. Still doesn’t make you super though. He turned and got a high five from one of his posse. He turned back around and Super Zero had helped Alex up and told him to get away. The bully clenched his fists and stared James right in the eye. “You want to start this huh? Because I will finish it.”

Alex ran from the growing crowd of children, feeling bad about leaving James in there to face off with the bully. Suddenly an idea popped into his head and he bolted for the nearby teacher on duty, who just so happened to be Miss Delilah. “What is it Alex?” He pointed toward a crowd and she watched as the bully punched James in the face. Panicked, she rushed over and grabbed the bully by the arm. “You think you’re tough Ronald MacDonald? We shall see how tough you are when you’re already on detention with your parents coming.” She helped James to his feet, and was surprised he wasn’t crying. “You all right James?” She could tell he was fighting back tears, but he grinned despite it. “I’m ok.” As she escorted them both off, the small crowd of kids they left behind began chanting “Super Zero! Super Zero!” James knew he had already made an impression for the day and was pretty proud of himself. No wonder Superman was such a great guy, it felt good to do good!

“James, she was just an old dog. There was nothing they could do.” His mother’s words echoed forever in his mind. He knew Willow wouldn’t be home when he got there, but ever since he got home no one had bothered to ask how his day had gone. As he lay in his bed, head buried in his pillow, he considered running away. School sucks, he thought, I should pack up and go to Grandma’s house. As he forced himself out of bed, he grabbed his Toy Story luggage bag and began packing. He packed his teddy, King Arthur, and started considering what clothes to bring. As he leaned for a pair of pants, he realized his father was standing in the door. “Going somewhere bud?” James stared at his Dad and tried to figure out a lie to tell him. He didn’t want him to worry. “I’m not going to Grandma’s house.” His father laughed, “Of course you’re not James.” He swooped in and picked James up, sitting them both on the bed. “Is this about Willow? Or is this about something else?”

Moments passed and James stared sheepishly at the floor. He turned to his Dad a few times, but his Dad looked like Hercules. There was no way he would ever have been bullied. James looked at King Arthur and pulled him out of the bag. Hugging him tightly he looked back to his Dad. “I’m not smart Dad.” His father didn’t believe it for a second. After all, James was starting writing and math when most kids would still be squawking unintelligible sounds. “James, is this about the cut on your lip?” James became embarrassed and leapt off the bed. “You don’t understand, he’s bigger than me!” His father lowered himself from the bed and patted the floor beside him. As James slowly came over and sat beside him, his father began a story.

“James, let me tell you a little story about a scrawny kid named William who was bullied all through school.” James looked up to his Dad for a moment. “Your name is William too!” His father looked down and smiled, pulling his son closer with a hug. “That’s not all we have in common my boy.” James smiled and then looked a bit confused. “What does scrawny mean?” His Dad laughed, “Tiny James, tiny and weak.” With a sigh, he continued. “William was a bright little boy who started his first day of school with a Power Ranger vest on. It was bright green with all kinds of logos on it from the television show of the same name. No matter how cool William thought it was, it seemed it wasn’t cool enough for the other kids. As his first year went on horribly, he survived and earned the humiliating nickname of Green Ranger. William loved the Green Ranger and everything he stood for, from fighting as a bad guy to switching to the good guys.” James stared at his Dad with intensity, he was completely enthralled by the story.

His father began again, this time with a smile. “William however was just as strong as the Green Ranger and although he did some mean things to the boys who bullied him, he managed to know when he should stop. As he embraced his nickname as the Green Ranger, he eventually lived up to the name and became a leader among his fellow students. He spent a few years being bullied a lot, and sometimes it wasn’t fun for him. But the only way to win over the bullies, is to not let them get to you. No matter how hard it may seem.” As his father looked down to him, James nodded. “I know what I have to do, but tomorrow I want to dress myself.” His father nodded in approval. “I’ll let your mother know.” As the two rose from the floor, James tugged at his father’s pants. His father looked down to him with a curious look on his face. “Yes James?” James held his bear tight and looked up sheepishly at the large man that was his Dad. “Dad, was William you?” His father laughed. “Maybe, but there’s no way to ever really know.” As James followed his Dad out of his room, he noticed one of the trophies in his Dad’s cabinet was for baseball. Etched on a metal plaque below the trophy were the words, To William “The Green Ranger” Kent, MVP 2009. James grinned after figuring out the mystery of the Green Ranger. Tomorrow he would embrace his nickname.

As James wandered the halls with Mrs Stein, he desperately wanted to go to the playground. What if that girl with the tangled hair was waiting for him? How could she, James thought, she didn’t even know he existed. As Miss Delilah met Mrs Stein at the door, the two had a brief discussion about bullying. Miss Delilah had her suspicions as to what may have happened, and Mrs Stein said she’d make a call. James stayed out of the conversation for the most part, his main focus was seeing if there was a girl outside on the playground. As he walked into the classroom, he saw that the bully had been moved from behind him to the opposite corner of the class. He also noticed that the bully was giving him the meanest look he had ever seen.

The window seemed like a nice quiet place, no bullies out there for now, barely anyone around the school yard. Barely anyone, except a young girl with tangled hair, playing in the mud. James looked behind him to see if anyone noticed her, but they all seemed oblivious. He stopped to look at the boy behind him, who was just staring at his blank piece of paper. “Hi, I’m James, I’m glad you-” The boy looked up with a grumpy look on his face. “When the teacher told me to switch seats, that kid told me he was going to make me pay for it. It’s not even my fault!” As James looked back to the bully, he saw him leering in his direction. He looked back to the boy behind him. “I don’t even know his name, all I know is he’s mean.” The boy nodded. “I’m Alex, and I think his name is James.” They both turned to look at him again and he made a fist in their general direction. Both boys sighed and turned to look straight ahead again.

Miss Delilah finally entered the classroom and apologized for the delay. “Sorry everyone, I just had a little talk with our principal, Mrs Stein. As we all know, bullying is wrong and if anyone is caught bullying another student their parents will be called and they will be sent home.” She looked around the room to judge the response from the kids. “That starts today, on the first day of classes. I want you to know I’m disappointed in those of you who would bully. You know who you are.” As the kids all looked around, even the bully played it innocently. “Miss Delilah looked unimpressed, but continued on. “Today we’re going to start counting, now who can count to ten?”

Counting and the order of numbers seemed to be the lesson for the afternoon as most of the children could barely count higher than five. Miss Delilah was having trouble paying attention to all the children who needed help. Apparently children weren’t learning at home any more, Miss Delilah thought, I suppose that was what teachers are for. As the final bell tolled for the day, James couldn’t wait to get away from school. As he put on his outdoor shoes, he felt something squishy inside. Upon closer inspection, he had found some gum on the inside of his shoes. He looked around and spotted the bully smiling to himself. James had enough at this point. He marched right over and brought the gum to the bully’s attention. “You put gum in my shoe?” The bully smiled coyly. “Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. There’s a lot of kids in this class who like gum.” James grew tired of the games and shoved the bully, much to the shock of the other kids. The bully leapt back tackling poor James to the ground and pulling at his hair. Miss Delilah burst into action, tearing the two apart. “What is wrong with you both, sit here, you’re coming to the office with me after everyone leaves.”

As the two watched everyone leave, Miss Delilah turned to them. “This is the first day, you should both be ashamed of yourselves. James Kent, why are you involved at all? I expected more from you.” She then turned to the grinning bully and smiled to herself. “James Ronald MacDonald, you too should be ashamed of yourself. Just because you have the same name as a clown doesn’t mean you have to act like one!” The bully sank into his chair and James laughed to himself. Ronald MacDonald and he had curly red hair. James wasn’t worried about being bullied for a little bit. As they went to the office, Miss Delilah went in ahead of them to talk with the principal. The bully suddenly turned to James. “Hey… I’m really sorry for bullying you.” James rolled his eyes, he didn’t believe him for a second. But then the bully continued. “In preschool I wore a yellow shirt one day, and someone just called me Ronald MacDonald. It stuck, it was why we moved here.” He looked at the ground and scuffed his foot around the floor. “I didn’t want to be bullied, so I started the bullying.” James turned and looked the bully straight in the eye. “If you didn’t like being bullied, don’t do it to others Ronald MacDonald.”

As the principal ushered them both in, James went in and climbed into the chair. The bully soon followed suit, looking noticeably distraught. Mrs Stein looked at both boys. “What happened today is not to happen again. Do I make myself clear?” James nodded and the bully agreed as well. Mrs Stein looked at the bully for a moment. “What’s wrong James?” The bully grinned quickly to himself and looked up at Mrs Stein. “He tried to start the rumour that I was Ronald MacDonald!” James was baffled by the accusation. As he looked at the principal he realized she had been informed about the bully’s being teased in preschool. “James, I don’t know how you got that information, but it is not to be heard around here, do you understand? If you say anything at all about it, you’ll find yourself in detention for a year!” James was stunned. “But he-” Mrs Stein cut him off. “No buts young man, now go, your bus cannot wait forever!”

James walked to his bus with rage inside. He couldn’t believe the principal had literally taken away the only leverage he had against Ronald MacDonald.  With that gone, the bully literally had free reign to bully him all year round and had an easy excuse to get James in trouble. Suddenly McDonalds as a fast food chain was much less his favourite, no matter if they had happy meals or not. Although he laughed to himself when he thought about why Grimace was rarely smiling, maybe Ronald McDonald was a bully too. The Hamburgler was probably stealing a new lunch to replace the one Ronald stole from him. Before he knew it, it was his stop. The bus driver nodded as James got off the bus and his mother was already standing there. She had tears in her eyes and hugged him ever so tight. James suddenly remembered that Willow wasn’t going to be home for him when he got there. After everything that happened today, he needed her most now. Finally everything caught up with him, and the tears forced their way through no matter how much he fought them.

As the school buzzer rang for recess to begin, all the kids bolted out the door. All the kids except James Kent. As Miss Delilah managed the chaos of the flood of children washing past her, she turned her attention to James. As she walked over to him he looked up at her, his lip quivering. “Miss Delilah, can you call the other boys by their middle names? I’m a little embarrassed by mine now.” Miss Delilah took a moment to think of the other boys and what their names would be: Harry Dicks, Ronald MacDonald, Benjamin Dover and Seymour Butts. As Miss Delilah patted him on the head she smiled. “I can try calling you James K. if that’ll help at all.” James nodded in agreement. “I just felt like you wanted to make fun of my name was all.” Miss Delilah shook her head and laughed, “Actually I thought your parents did the best job naming you, so I thought I’d use your middle name.” As James leapt from his desk and toward the door, he stopped suddenly and spun around to face Miss Delilah again. “Who is superman?”

After his talk with Miss Delilah, James found himself with very little recess left. As he stepped outside the door, he began unwrapping the chocolate bar his mother had given him for lunch. Suddenly it was yanked from his hands. “Hey that’s mine!” As he turned to face the thief he realized that it was the kid from his class who called him Superman. “Give it back!” James reached for the bar while he was held at bay. Other kids pointed and laughed but no one would help him. The bully pushed James backward and watched at he tripped and fell to the ground. “What’s wrong Clark Kent? No tights, no powers?” The bully laughed and ate the chocolate bar in front of everyone. James sat on the ground staring at everyone. This definitely wasn’t the best of first days, and he was glad he had told Willow about his imaginary day at school. Finally the bully polished off the bar and tossed the wrapper at James. “You’ll always be a Super Zero loser!” As the bully and his gang walked off, James rose to his feet and dusted himself off. The buzzer finally sounded as an end to recess for the day.

The classroom was full by the time James got back, and Miss Delilah hurried him to his seat. Much to his dismay, the bully had switched seats with one of the other kids and was now directly behind him. James stared out the window and saw a girl with a tangled mess of hair, like hay, playing on the playground all alone. As he watched he felt compelled to tell Miss Delilah, but instead didn’t. After all, that girl looked way happier out there than he was in the classroom. As the teacher handed out small paint sets, James knew this wouldn’t end well. He looked at his nice brown pants, and his white shirt. All I’ve got to do is be extra careful. No spilling it. As James painted his name he found himself far more advanced than most of the other children. Some of them couldn’t write their name at all, especially his bully behind him. As James marvelled at how well he was doing, suddenly his back felt damp. As he reached back to touch it, he pulled his hand back soaked in blue paint. The bully pointed and laughed, and then tried to argue that it was an accident. The class was all laughing by this point and James could barely take it. He got up and walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

Miss Delilah sent the bully to the office and gave James the time he needed to calm down. As the bell for lunch tolled, James emerged from the bathroom and into the concerned gaze of his teacher . “James are you all right?” James sat down on the floor and sighed. He wasn’t all right. His best friend in the world wouldn’t be at home to make him feel better and he would have to spend the entire school year with this bully. “No Miss. I’d like to go home.” The look on Miss Delilah’s face showed her heart was breaking for him. “It’ll be ok. I can have him moved to another class or even move him away from you in this one if you’d like?” James nodded and looked out toward the playground. The girl with the tangled hair was gone. James knew his only chance would be to wait outside after the bell to see if she came back. “I’ll go eat my lunch Miss Delilah. Thank you.” As James left the room Miss Delilah shook her head. She knew how hard it was to go through bullying, maybe it was time to fight back.

James walked into the cafeteria and the smell of delicious foods teased him. He knew he only had a ham sandwich, but after recess he was really hungry. As he looked around for a seat, he found one at a table with a bunch of other people. As he sat down however, the table emptied. Do I look sick or something? What’s wrong with me? Suddenly a shadow loomed over him, and he just knew who it was. “I’m not giving you my sandwich, so go away.” The bully wasn’t about to ask. As he grabbed for the sandwich, James thrust half of it into his mouth. The bully wasn’t very happy about that and punched James in the face. Tears welled up in his eyes and he found himself crying before he could try and stop it. The bully stood up on the seat beside him and pointed him out yet again. “Poor little Super Zero, can’t stop crying long enough to finish his stupid sandwich.” James sat there humiliated. The sandwich tasted terrible, kind of like the taste the time he bit his lip. As the bully ran off a teacher stormed in to see what the commotion was. James dried his eyes and tried to pretend nothing was wrong. “Oh my, you’d best come with me young man.” The teacher pulled James from his seat and headed toward the Principal’s office.

As they hurried along Mrs Stein opened the door to her office, “Oh my gosh, what happened?” The teacher looked to James for an answer. “I… I bit my lip.” The teacher shook her head and the Principal waived her off. After the door closed behind the teacher, Mrs Stein looked to James again. “You didn’t bite your lip that hard. It looks like someone hit you.” James didn’t want to open that door. He knew that if he told her who it was, it could be worse next time. “It was a friend, he hit me by accident.” He looked to her to see if she bought it, which she didn’t. “Well where was this friend of yours when the teacher found you crying?” James winced as Mrs Stein dabbed a cloth on his lip. “He didn’t mean to and he knew he was in trouble. So he ran.” Mrs Stein still wasn’t buying it, but she didn’t want to press it further. “James, you know you can come and talk to me any time and about anything, right?” James nodded. Suddenly the bell rang ending lunch and Mrs Stein stood up, helping James out of the chair he was sitting in. “I’ll take you back to your class.” James looked around frantically, he wanted to meet the girl at the playground!

Today begins a new chapter as I begin writing my second episodic content story on the site. After taking a vote, it appears as though some wished to see me write about a child starting school and the years that ensued. Today, you will meet James Clark Kent and he will begin his first year of school at Ridgefield Elementary.

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A runt of a boy runs in a panic across a field of dandelions. “Mom! Mom! Mom!” The boy shouts at the top of his lungs but to no avail. As he runs up the front porch steps, they creak and groan with every step. “Mom! Mom!” “Dear God child, what is it?” His mother stands tall and obviously unimpressed by his incessant yelling. “Well, spit it out James!” James looks up at his Mother, tears sliding down his freckled cheeks from his chestnut coloured eyes. “It’s Willow…”

As the two rush out, James leads the way, tugging at his mother’s arm the whole way. As they approach, he points to their fourteen year old golden retriever. The dog lays motionless beneath the large weeping willow where they originally found her. James hugs his mother’s leg as the two approach Willow. “She’s really tired today James.” She glances only briefly at James with a tear in her eye. “Go get your father, but please don’t run there screaming. He’s had a long day.”

As James rushes back to his home, he races up the stairs to his mother and father’s room. As he peeks in, he notices his father is upright in bed reading a book. Glancing up from his book, his father focuses through his glasses. “James? Is everything all right?” James quietly shakes his head and tears begin sliding down his cheeks. “Willow’s really tired today.” His father’s eyes widen and he leaps into action. He rests the book gently on the bedside table along with his glasses. “Run along to your room now son. I’ll go check her out.” As his father leaves James already knows the outcome. He won’t see Willow again. Just like he didn’t see Grandpa any more.

The next day James woke up and was surprised to find Willow waiting for him on the front porch. As he played with her ears he felt like she stuck around long enough to see him start school. “Thanks Willow, you’ve been the best friend I could have ever asked for. I hope the kids at school are as great as you.” Willow nuzzled her head into his lap and looked up at him. James smiled at her, but he knew she probably wouldn’t get to hear about his first day at school. Then he had a wonderful idea! He leapt up, startling the poor dog and ran inside. Willow laid her head back down once he disappeared from sight, and then looked back up when he stumbled into view. He was wearing his backpack and new school jacket. “Bye Willow! I’m going to school now!” As he ran down the steps and across the yard the dog stared at him with her head cocked to the side.

After about an hour James ran back across the yard and up to Willow. “Willow! Willow school is great! I have so many friends already and my teacher is really nice. I can totally understand why you went to school when you were a puppy. They taught me to roll over too!” As he ditched his backpack into the dirt, he laid beside Willow and rolled away from her. To his surprise she rolled with him, together they rolled back and forth until finally his mother called him in for supper. He hugged Willow as tight as he could and kissed her on the head. “I love you Willow, I’ll… I’ll see you tomorrow.” As he ran into the house Willow rolled over one last time and snuggled into her stuffed bear on the deck.

“James Clark Kent! Get out of bed this instant!” James jumped to his mother’s voice faster than he ever would for his alarm. “I’m up… I don’t feel well…” His mother laughed. “You’re not getting out of school that easy, now come on, we don’t want you to be late!” As the two walked down the front walkway James turned and waved to Willow and his father. Willow barked in response and his father waved back. As they arrived at the bus stop James looked to his mother. “Mom, I really don’t feel well.” She glanced down at him and then down the road. “It’s just nerves dear, you’ll be fine.” As she looked back to James, she saw he was as white as a ghost. “It’ll be fine my dear boy, you’ll meet lots of great people and-” James interrupted his mother’s pep talk by throwing up on the ground. “I know Mom, I know.” As the bus pulled up James looked back to his mother in hopes he could just go home. She quietly loaded him onto the bus and waved her goodbyes. This was it, James was alone on a bus full of strangers.

As James made his way down the bus aisle, some people moved their bags to take up their seats, while others simply shook their head no. Finally James returned to the front of the bus and sat right behind the bus driver. This was not the good start he had hoped for. The bus picked up some more kids on the way to school, yet all of them bypassed James. He sat alone the entire ride to school and waited until all the other kids got off the bus to leave. The bus driver stopped him on his way out. “The first day is always the hardest son.” James looked at him confused. “You’re not my Dad…” The bus driver laughed, “No, I most certainly am not. What’s your name boy?” James scrunched up his nose. “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers sir. Thank you for driving me to school.” As James ran off the bus driver laughed to himself. “Silly kid, I won’t be a stranger when I’ve driven you to school for the next few years!”

James head spun as the shrill call of the school bell sounded. He had to remember that he was in Miss Delilah’s class, so as he walked the halls he kept repeating it to himself. “Miss Delilah, Miss Delilah, Miss Delilah…” Suddenly a lovely lady in a suit walked up to him, and looked him right in the eye. “Where are you headed young man?” James looked around in a panic. “Am I in trouble already?” The lady laughed, “Not at all, I’m the principal here, Mrs Stein. I’m just trying to help as many students as I can find their classrooms, so where were you headed?” James looked her up and down and the put out his hand. “I’m James Kent, it’s nice to meet you Mrs Stein.” He stopped for a moment. “I don’t remember who my teacher is…” Mrs Stein smiled and took his hand. “Well Mister Kent, follow me and we will find your class.”

As they walked down the halls for what seemed like eternity, James looked up at the lovely Mrs Stein. She seems really nice, He thought, maybe today won’t be so bad. As they entered classroom after classroom, James was just about to give up when they were passing a door marked “Miss Delilah”. James tugged at Mrs Stein’s hand. “That’s her! That’s my teacher!” As James walked in they had just begun doing roll call. Mrs Stein bent to wish young James well and headed off. Only one desk was left, and it was right in front of the teacher and closest to the window. James made his long walk from the door to the desk and took off his backpack. As he sat down he heard the teacher call his name. “James Kent?” He looked up and held up his hand. “Here!” Miss Delilah smiled. “James you’re the second James on my list which has five James total, would you mind if I called you by your middle name?” James smiled politely. “You can Miss.” She smiled back. “Clark Kent. Here.” Suddenly one rather big student at the back jumped up and yelled, “Superman?!” James turned to look at the boy, he didn’t understand the reference. “The kid’s no superhero, more like a… super zero!” As all the kids laughed James turned to face the front. This was about to be the longest day in all of his five years total.