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Entry tags:
closed
WHO: Elizabeth and Malik
WHERE: Recollé High - Elizabeth's classroom.
WHEN: 3/10 - Friday
WHAT: After school meeting
WARNINGS: none
[ It was around 30 minutes after the final bell for dismissal. Elizabeth helped with the organizing parents for carpool pick up and returned back to her classroom. She'd normally be gone too, speeding over to the university to take a nap but today — she had to tend to some other matters. Elizabeth sits at one of the desks nearest to Malik, who was asked to stay late. Whether he's mad at her or not isn't her concern, but with a few notes she's pulled out, she needs to speak with him about some things. ]
Alright, the quicker we can run through this, the quicker you can go home. You have to work with me and listen, got it?
[ She hates being disciplinary but it's needed. Her first class of students made her cry for the entire year, she was frustrated and far too nice but now? She mixes kindness and firmness perfectly. ]
I don't want to see you planted in the same seat next year, so... we have to talk about a few things. Is there anything you feel like wanting to talk about first?
WHERE: Recollé High - Elizabeth's classroom.
WHEN: 3/10 - Friday
WHAT: After school meeting
WARNINGS: none
[ It was around 30 minutes after the final bell for dismissal. Elizabeth helped with the organizing parents for carpool pick up and returned back to her classroom. She'd normally be gone too, speeding over to the university to take a nap but today — she had to tend to some other matters. Elizabeth sits at one of the desks nearest to Malik, who was asked to stay late. Whether he's mad at her or not isn't her concern, but with a few notes she's pulled out, she needs to speak with him about some things. ]
Alright, the quicker we can run through this, the quicker you can go home. You have to work with me and listen, got it?
[ She hates being disciplinary but it's needed. Her first class of students made her cry for the entire year, she was frustrated and far too nice but now? She mixes kindness and firmness perfectly. ]
I don't want to see you planted in the same seat next year, so... we have to talk about a few things. Is there anything you feel like wanting to talk about first?
no subject
[ This was a routine. Not just in Elizabeth's class, but with many other authoritative figures that had cycled through Malik's life. Sit and listen. Pretend to care. Move on. Lather, rinse, repeat. ]
Just get it out of the way so I can leave.
[ He wonders why anyone bothers when nothing sticks, but it is what it is. ]
no subject
We gotta talk about the grades. You did good raising them up. [ ??? She slides over her current gradebook, noting the slight progression upwards in Malik's column. ] It's an improvement and I'm happy you started caring. Caring enough, really.
[ She sits there in silence for a moment. ]
If you get a B on the next exam and do the bonus questions... you should be able to get a C by the end of the month. What do you think about that?
no subject
[ His voice is devoid of emotion. He looks at the grade book impassively, cheek resting on his knuckles. ]
This class and that grade don't mean anything to me.
[ It's a miracle he hasn't dropped out of school, but his official babysitters - as he so kindly refers to them - won't let him. They don't breathe down his neck about his attendance, because it's been proven that the harder he's pushed, the more Malik pushes back. Pushes away. They can't do too much to control his behavior, but they can keep him enrolled, as he academically limps towards graduation - but that's still two years away. ]
I could keep it the same, or let it drop until I'm only passing by a single percent, but I'll still be put in a different class next year. Those numbers are all arbitrary.
no subject
[ She sits there, wanting him to be proud of the work he's put in, but he won't see it. Not like she does. It's frustrating and she's thought of just giving up on him many times, but it's not fair. She wouldn't want someone giving up on her. ]
You'll be put into another class because you deserve it - you made it from one grade to the next. You don't have to care about your progress but you should care about where you'll be going.
no subject
Oh yeah? When has that ever helped me? [ He is not talking about class anymore. ] I'm moved because that's what's ordered, not because I want to go; it's the same here as everywhere else. Next year, I'll be moved again. It's always the same, and it never. Matters.
[ There's a certain edge in his tone but he's managed to keep himself from raising his voice, surprisingly enough. ]
no subject
[ She holds back her anger a bit, instead trying to explain. ]
You'll go to the next grade, learn what you need and then continue. This... you don't stop. It may not be in school, but you'll never stop learning. This prepares you for that.
no subject
I have no problem learning. That was never the problem. The school system has its own subjective means of deciding whether I'm good enough or not, regardless if it's relevant to anything I'll actually use outside of school. But ultimately they don't care either, just as long as I'm pushed through like everyone else. I don't see why I should care when they don't.
no subject
[ Elizabeth stands up a bit carefully going to the whiteboard. She begins writing on it a bunch of numbers. It looks like a calendar. ]
I care. One day, you won't be in a crowd but you'll be able to step ahead, but. Keep the attitude up and you'll be left behind.
[ Elizabeth points to the calendar. ]
This is how many classes are left until the end of the school year. See the tallies at the top of the calendar? [ There's seven in roman numerals. ] That's all you have left for attendance or I'll have to submit paperwork to retain you. I don't want to do this — just keep that number in mind.
no subject
[ As she continues, Malik is up- clumsily, since the space between desk and chair is a little tight - and he slams an open palm down on the desk. Looks like the fire is reignited. Those kind words went too deep and stirred something up. ]
That's nice and all, but it doesn't mean anything coming from another teacher I won't even see next year. You don't have to pretend to care. I'm aware of what I can and cannot do, and your contrived bullshit motivational speech isn't going to get me anywhere.
[ Though in reality, Elizabeth is easily his kindest teacher and her honest attempts at guidance are met with hostility because... that is the default response. He doesn't trust adults, period. He's conditioned himself to be this way. Sixteen years of knocking heads with authorities, and he doesn't know how to stop. ]
no subject
[ Elizabeth doesn't fight him on it — she learned long ago a child won't see anything but what's in front of him. Her heart feels heavy knowing that... it means he's only seen people leaving him. ]
Say what you will, but my words are my own as are my feelings on the matter. Just as I won't tell you with "bullshit motivational speeches" how statistically and through my own observation you've improved, it'd be wise that you don't assume my care is lacking.
[ Elizabeth won't threaten him with a smack of a ruler on the desk, even if she was soooo tempted. ]
Did you bring a note for missing your last day out?
no subject
[ He glares. When asked about the note, he continues to hold his gaze, letting a tense and somewhat awkward silence settle between them. He wants to verbally tear into her, keep the former subject going and prove to her just how wrong she is.
Instead, he refocused his attention to the question at hand, and he snaps out an answer. ]
Jade has it. Didn't she tell you? It's her fault I missed a day.
no subject
What? [ She wasn't even aware they were friends... ] How so?
no subject
There's another moment of silence - much shorter this time - as Malik tries to regain some semblance of composure. ]
Oh? She didn't tell you? I told her she should, but I see being honest and responsible was too much for her.
[ - quote Malik "I avoid all responsibility" Ishtar. ]
no subject
[ There she goes, opening her mouth and not having a word. ]
You're not making sense, you know. Being vague isn't going to explain how my daughter was involved in you missing class.
no subject
[ HE 100% KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING HERE AND IS ENJOYING IT ]
no subject
[ Immediately: ]
What kind of video?
no subject
I don't know, don't involve me in the middle of mother-daughter affairs... I'm simply giving the reason why I didn't come to school.
no subject
Next time, learn to turn your phone off then. I expect you to be here on time for the next three weeks or you won't be opted in to earn bonus points on your exam.
You want your points, do you not?
no subject
He grits his teeth. ]
You can't opt me out, that isn't fair!
no subject
[ She's shrugging a bit. ]
You have to be here to try.
no subject
I'm here enough. You were all proud just a minute about about my grade. You can't bar me from points if I answer the questions.
[ He's digging his nails into the desktop, though it's ineffectual on the hard, smooth surface. ]
no subject
[ Elizabeth leans against her own desk, arms crossing. ]
If you ever decide to be a teacher, you can make the rules for your classroom. Show up. Try to learn the material. Take the test and then you can get the additional points.
[ Her voice grows softer: ]
Two weeks straight and I'll accept your answers for the bonus points.
no subject
He hesitates, but: ]
...Fine. Fine. Whatever. Two weeks.
no subject
[ She sounds only vaguely concerned.
Soon, as he agrees, she does crack a smile. ]
Glad we're in agreement. Do you have anything you'd like to discuss? I've gone over my itinerary.
no subject
No. I want to leave.
no subject
[ She turns, beginning to erase the calendar she drew on the board. ]
Look forward to seeing you Monday morning. Have a good weekend!