In highschool I was the faceoff specialist for the school's lacrosse team. A sport I started in middle school to keep me in shape for hockey during the off season quickly became my life. To me, lacrosse is unlike any other sport. The initial purpose of the sport was for native americans to prepare for war. Thus, the sport is an adrenaline fueled concoction of speed, strength, smarts, and savagery. Every element of the sport from the faceoff, getting ground balls, to scoring goals echoes these tenants. The result, a bond like no other, a brotherhood with those you call your teammates.
Our team consisted of kids from every petty high school click. Rich, poor, goth, nerd, rebel, stoner, jock, band nerds, you name it we had it. No matter who someone was, if they wanted to play, our team welcomed them, so long as they were willing to fight for victory alongside us. If someone needed help with class, someone would tutor them. If someone needed someone to workout with, someone would spot and push them through their workout. If someone fell down, someone would be there to help them up. The bond was intoxicating, and it is the one thing I will miss the most about leaving highschool. But, the lessons I learned from it, and that comradery that I had with my teammates, will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Seeing the protestors before me reminds me of this, being a member of something fighting for a goal that no one person could do on their own. Despite their message, I understand the brotherhood they share for each other.
The rainbow coalition for social justice stood strong, chanting their message and waving their signs with admirable fervor. Some were young, some were old, some were males, some were females, some were white, some were black, some were asian, some were latino, but it was evident that they were all one. All of these people from different ethnicities and backgrounds, who have different experiences and thoughts stand united for their cause. It is remarkable, seeing people with so much passion coming together under one banner.
“This is quite the welcome wagon, eh?” Brad’s sarcastic mockery of Candian’s speech was just loud enough not to be washed out by the protestors.
“Now is not the time Brad,” the parental retort came from Alec, “Just keep your mouth shut as we make our way to the door. The last thing we need is you provoking them.”
“Okay dad. You need to learn how to take a joke Alec.”
Despite the relative calmness of the protestors, being flanked by two crowds of people with nothing more than a few security bots acting as barriers did little to dispel the wave of claustrophobia that was beginning to ripple through my body, “Let’s just get this over with.” I maneuvered past my friends with a brisk walk, hoping that they would follow my pace to the door.
“You heard the man, let’s go.” Donald’s steps fell in line behind me. I couldn’t hear if the others responded but, I had the feeling they were following suit.
I did my best to drone out the noise around me, without my headphones the task was practically impossible. The rainbow walls of people on both sides of me had all eyes on me, and my friends. Most of the protestors' eyes held hope we’d join their cause or see it as just, as they attempted to communicate with us.
“YOU ARE THE FUTURE!”
I heard their cries.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!”
With each step I heard another, and an urge inside me grew.
“STAND WITH US AGAINST DISCRIMINATION!”
An urge to shout at the top of my lungs that I stand with them against discrimination. That I will do everything in my power to do something. So that we can all have a better future. However, despite the pureness of their goal, their focus is not aimed at the core issues. Therefore, I will not stand by them on this hill.
I want to prove to them that this demonstration is wasting their time and effort. The University of Steelport isn’t their enemy, or an enabler of the unjust they perceive to be infecting our society. Yet, even if I try with my pure intention, that will do little good, and may cause the situation to escalate.
Lurking within the protesting rainbow, I made out a few figures with malice in their eyes. Unlike those they stood next to, their messages weren’t attempts at having us join them by touching our humanity.
“BEING SILENT MEANS YOU ARE COMPLIANT!"
I heard their accusations.
“YOU HAVE PRIVILEGE! GIVE US SOME OF IT, YOU WON’T MISS IT!”
With each insult that flew, a growing sense of disdain for them festered inside of me.
"YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!"
They do not know me, and I do not know them. They do not know what I’ve been through, and I do not know they’ve been through. Yet, they seem to hate me, and if someone would ask me my thoughts on them, I’d be inclined to say I hate them. But, that would mean I gave in to ignorance, doing nothing to come to some level of understanding between each other. Maybe if the environment was different, like sharing a beer at a barbeque or within a classroom, they’d be willing to hear me out, or maybe not.
Keeping my brisk pace was the best thing to do right now, I couldn’t feel my legs as they carried me across the pavement. I should be alarmed, but all I can focus on is the double glass door before me. Only ten more steps till I reach the launching pad for my future.
Taking my first step up the marble stairs, summoned an older gentleman in a lab coat to emerge through the double glass doors.
Aside from the lab coat, the most notable piece of the man’s outfit were his glasses. Consisting of two thin circular slivers of glass held together by a crisp golden wire that ran from one ear to the other, the golden wire hugged the lower curves of the glass lens it was tethered to. With a thin wooden shell stained dark acting as a nose bridge.
Surrounding the man’s stylish glasses, was an unkempt jungle of salt and peppered curls of hair spewing in all directions. Sitting above his brown eyes were two thick eyebrows that resemble hairy caterpillars napping. The only traces of skin not covered with by his thick fur was the area from his upper cheeks to his forehead.
In each of his hands were large burlap bags filled to the brim with water bottles. The hairy man in the lab coat began walking towards us, his gait was hobbled, an evident limp in his left leg.
Our paths crossed on the halfway point on the stairs. The furry mass that he called his head turned to me on the shared step. “Welcome to the University of Steelport! I am Doctor Maximilian Meyer, would you mind giving me a hand in passing out some water to our guests?” The doctor spoke with an accent I could not place, I want to say it’s German, but it could also be Swiss.
Before I could answer, Winston stepped forward, “Hello Doctor, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Winston Smith, head butler to the Williams family,” one of Winston’s gloved hands reached out to take a bag of water out of the doctor’s hand. “I shall assist you in distributing water. I think you’d agree that we should not delay the boys from moving in.”
“That would be most wise,” Doctor Meyer continued his way down the stairs, with Winston behind him. Doctor Meyer cocked his head sideways to address us, “I look forward to meeting you all inside!”
We continued up the last few steps, Donald tapped me on the shoulder and leaned in to whisper, “I didn’t know Chewbacca was a professor here.”
The juvenile quip was more than enough to send our entire group into an uproar as we stepped through the door.
“Welcome new students to your new home, the University of Steelport!” Upon entry we were greeted by a similar looking bot to the ones outside, with a few noticeable differences. Instead of being gray from head to toe and having a large box with a massive camera on each face of the square acting as a head. This one was completely white, with its head being a black sphere with neon green bars acting as its eyes and mouth. “My name is Buddy, and I just want to say I am excited to be the first friend you make here at the University of Steelport.”
My friends and I's laughter was beginning to subside, but the sight of the robot was enough to cause our outroar to begin anew.