A Student In Need Read online

  AUTHOR: Nicolas Schrammeck

  COVER ART: Kamechuu

  I’d like to thank my mother for always believing in me; and for nagging me until I got this done.

  Thank you.

  CHAPTER 1

  Leo sighed and stood up; the class of talking students instantly falling silent as he began to write his name on the blackboard. Turning around he smiled at the class of students who stared back at him. Taking a moment before he spoke he scanned the crowd, mostly teenagers who were probably looking for an easy credit…….but as he scanned the group he found his eyes drawn to a single student who was sitting in the front row. Like him the student was a turtle; although lighter skinned and smaller. Unlike the other students this one was sitting straight in his chair, not slumped over. Clearing his throat Leo spoke. “For those of you, who are completely new, welcome to college and Japanese studies. My name is Leo; I’ll be your teacher for this class.”

  A dull but polite chorus of “hello Leo,” Echoed back at him.

  Sighing Leo began the speech he’d given dozens of times, about how Japanese studies was an important subject that required discipline and adherence to rules. By the time he was done with the speech he could easily guess who would and wouldn’t pass his class. Again his eyes flicked towards the turtle in the front row; noting that the turtle was still paying attention. “Are there any questions for me?”

  A dozen hands went into the air. Leaning back against his desk Leo spoke. “When I point to you please stand up, give us your name and then ask your question.”

  He went around the room, rolling his eyes as he found that several questions related to anime and manga; before outright telling a student to leave when she asked about tentacle erotica. Rubbing his eyes he gestured to the last student, the turtle in the front row. Mentally he prayed that it would be a serious question. He watched as the turtle stood up and spoke. “Hi everyone. I’m Alexander, but most people call me Alex……actually everyone calls me Alex. Anyways my question is about the samurai.”

  Leo sat up a little straighter; finally a REAL question. “I heard….and its ok if it’s not true; but I heard that sometimes the more experienced samurai would sleep with the apprentices. Is that true?”

  In the back of his mind Leo could not help but feel that Alex’s question while oddly specific was the best question he’d be asked today. Nodding Leo spoke. “Yes. It wasn’t uncommon, but it wasn’t required of them. But it was not about sex it was viewed as another form of training; a way to pass on the knowledge of the older samurai to the younger ones. Why do you ask?”

  Alex shrugged and sat back down, “I was just curious.”

  As Alex’s words trailed off and Leo found himself oddly speechless as their eyes connected; for a split second he found himself slightly mesmerized by Alex’s light blue eyes. Shaking his head slightly Leo pulled himself out of those blue orbs and back into reality. The rest of the class was uneventful, going over the syllabus and what was expected of the students. Against his will he felt his eyes flick back to Alex’s eyes whenever he turned to face the class, something about the smaller turtle was captivating; weather it was his light green skin, his smaller frame, of the flecks of orange around his eyes; something was drawing him to look at Alex.

  Mentally he thanked god when the bell rang signaling the end of class. As the students filed out of the classroom Leo sat down and dug into one of his drawers pulling out a water bottle and taking a drink. As he screwed the cap back on the bottle he found he was not alone, Alex had approached his desk and was looking at him. “Yes Alexander? Is there something I can-”

  but Alex cut him off. “Ah ah ah. It’s Alex, professor.”

  Leo shook his head. “I’m afraid I must insist on calling you Alexander.”

  But Alex too shook his head. “Nope. It’s Alex.”

  Leo sighed, “Very well Alex. What can I do for you?”

  Alex smiled at him, an action that sent a small shiver through Leo’s body. “I just wanted to say that I’m really looking forward to taking your class.”

  Leo smiled pleasantly at Alex who smiled back. “That enthusiasm will fade around week 7.”

  But Alex continued to smile and shook his head. “Not for me. I’m always full of energy; my brother says it’s my most annoying trait.”

  Leo smiled. “So you have a brother?”

  He wasn’t sure what made him ask; generally he didn’t care much about his student’s outside life. And yet without thinking about it he felt himself gravitating towards Alex, who was nodding. “Yeah. His name is Jason. He goes here too. Although he’s here on a football scholarship.”

  Leo nodded slowly. “Well I hope you continue to enjoy my class.”

  Alex continued to smile at him, before nodding. “For sure. It helps that I have such a cute teacher.”

  Leo felt himself blush slightly as Alex gave him another smile before exiting the room, leaving Leo alone. As Alex walked away Leo’s eyes lingered on the young turtle’s hips, which walked with a kind of sway that was very……. Shaking his head Leo did his best to clear his mind. This year was going to be very interesting.

  1 WEEK LATER

  Looking out over his class Leo smiled pleasantly as he found several seats were now empty of students who had either dropped out of the class or had simply decided not to show up. As always he felt his eyes drawn to Alex who still sat in the front row; his notebook out on his desk, scribbling notes as Leo gave his lesson stopping only when the bell for the end of class rang. Turning back to his class Leo spoke. “I expect each of you to read the next chapter in your textbook and to summarize it, as well as write down any questions you have that you wish to have answered.”

  As the class filed out Leo felt his gaze drawn to Alex who was moving slower than the other students taking his time to pack up his notebook and pen before looking up and catching Leo’s gaze. Alex smiled an action that Leo returned not completely comfortable with the gentle ‘whooshing’ feeling that happened in his stomach.

  Sitting down in his chair he watched as Alex again approached him, as he had done every day since class began. “Yes Alex? Can I do something for you?”

  Alex nodded and shifted his weight from one leg to the other, a small look of embarrassment covering his face. “Well…..I…….the next chapter is about sexuality in ancient Japan right?”

  Leo nodded; he had a faint idea where this was going. In almost every class there was generally one; but he remained calm as he watched Alex continue to look embarrassed. “How did they……treat…….gay men?”

  Leo felt a small smile tug at the sides of his mouth. “Well……they treated them a lot better than most cultures did at that time. There were the Kabuki acting troupe. Although historical documents have varying arguments it is widely accepted that most of the men in these acting troupes were gay. Why do you ask?”

  He watched as Alex shifted again before speaking, a gentle blush covering his face. “Personal curiosity.”

  Leo smiled at Alex and leaned forward. “Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for being who you are ok?” Alex looked at him but did not speak. “You’re not sick or wrong. You’re; you.”

  Alex smiled weakly at him, speaking after a moment. “Thanks.”

  Leaning back in his seat Leo spoke again. “If you don’t mine me asking……does your brother know?”

  He wasn’t sure why he asked. But something in his head told him to ask. He watched as again Alex shifted nervously from one leg to the other before shaking his head. “No…..no Jason doesn’t know. I’m…..I’m not sure how to tell him.”

  Leo smiled. “Do you think he’ll be ok with it?”

  Alex nodded. “I don’t think he’ll care either way. We’ve been together sin
ce foster care.”

  Leo cocked his head sideways. “You were in foster care?”

  Alex nodded. “Yeah, since I was born. Met Jason when I was 6 and we’ve been brother’s ever since.”

  Leo smiled. “Children in foster care bond tightly with each other. I think Jason will accept you.”

  Alex smiled at him, a move that made his heart flutter slightly. “Thanks Leo.”

  Leo smiled at the use of his shortened name. “Have a good day Alex.”

  Alex nodded and smiled. “You too teach.”

  Before turning and leaving the classroom, leaving Leo alone with his thoughts. Sighing Leo dropped his head so his forehead was resting against the desktop. What had gotten into him? In the last 7 days he’d developed some kind of……affection towards Alex. Biting his lip he tried to come to a logical reason for this affection; yes Alex did remind him a little of himself, and yes the young turtle was……attractive; but he was a teacher and Alex was a student. And that was something he could not escape or betray. Sighing again Leo sat up; tomorrow he’d talk with Alex. He’d say……something to make Alex understand.

  THE NEXT DAY

  Leo scanned his students as they filed into the classroom; looking for Alex. But a small frown covered his face, Alex wasn’t there. Leo’s frown deepened as the bell signaling the beginning of class wrung. Starting his lesson he could not stop himself from glancing towards the empty desk every few minutes. Where was Alex? In the last week he’d always shown up on time, eager to learn and take notes. Doing his best to remain calm Leo continued with his lesson but found himself distracted, dropping his chalk several times as well as losing his place in the lesson and stuttering several times. By the time the class was over he found his mind consumed with questions. Where was Alex? Why hadn’t he come to class? Was everything ok with the young turtle?

  As the students moved to leave his class he spoke. “Does anyone know where Alexander is?”

  Several of his students shook their heads; but one a white bunny shrugged. “I saw him leaving the Alpha cal fraternity house. He looked upset.”

  As the last student left his classroom Leo gather up his coat and left, making his way across campus to were the fraternity houses were. He frowned as he passed house after house with loud music and the signs of an obvious party. Finding the frat he was looking for Leo marched up to the front door and pounded on it; doing his best to be louder than the blaring music on the other side. A moment later he wrinkled his nose as a drunken bunny stuck his head out of the door his breath reeking of booze and possibly pot. After a moment the bunny spoke, his voice slurred. “Yer na ta pizza man.”

  Leo shook his head. “No I’m not. I’m a teacher here at the school. I was hoping you could tell me where I could find Alexander.”

  The bunny looked at him. "Who?”

  Leo sighed. “Alexander, he’s a turtle shorter than me, light green skin.” T

  The bunny paused for a moment his face scrunched up in thought, after a moment he let out a loud laugh. “Oh I get it. s a trick questin; yer Al-what’s-his-name ern’t ya?”

  Leo rolled his eyes. Obviously he would get nowhere talking to this bunny. Walking away from the frat house Leo instead pulled out his cellphone and dialed a number a few moments later a voice on the other end of the line spoke. “Leo? What’s up?”

  Leo smiled at Anthony’s voice. It had been a few days since he’d last seen the brainy turtle. “I was wondering if you could help me Anthony.”

  There was a slight pause. “Yeah….sure. What’s up?”

  Leo sighed; Anthony’s voice was a dead giveaway to what he was doing. “Anthony are you playing online chess again?”

  Anthony was silent for several seconds. “No.”

  Leo rolled his eyes. “Even through the phone you suck at lying.”

  More silence; again Leo sighed. “How many games are you playing?”

  Anthony’s voice responded, an air of pride in it. “9. And I’m winning in 7 of them.”

  Leo smiled thinly, at least Anthony was winning. “Look I need your help. I’ve got a student who didn’t show up at class.”

  Anthony was silent for another moment; in the background Leo could hear the click of a mouse pad. “why is that such a big deal?”

  Leo bit his lip. Why was Alex missing class such a big deal to him? Plenty of students missed his class. Sighing Leo rubbed his eyes. “You’re right. Sorry Anthony. I’m sure he’ll show up tomorrow. Sorry for bothering you.”

  He didn’t have to be in the room to know Anthony shrugged. “It’s ok. What’s his name? Maybe I can keep my ear out just in case.”

  Leo smiled. “Thanks Anthony, his name is Alexander.”

  Saying their goodbye Leo hung up and slowly began to walk back to his car, before driving home. Pulling into the drive way Leo sighed as he turned off the engine. What had gotten into him lately? Normally he didn’t care if students skipped or missed his class; yet Alex missing a single day had prompted him to call Anthony and ask for help?

  Sighing again Leo buried his forehead against the steering wheel. In the back of his mind he could not help but feel uneasy, since he had not really found out why Alex had missed his class. If what the bunny in his class had said it was possible Alex had moved out of the frat house he and his brother had been staying at. Biting his lip Leo supposed that was an alright reason to miss class. Why then did he have a feeling of dread in his gut? Slowly he got out of the car shivering slightly; the night air had changed, no longer chilly but now outright cold; so cold that his breath made a small cloud of steam as he exhaled. Walking up to his front door Leo froze as he found that something was in front of his door. A large green form huddled against itself doing its best to keep warm in the rapidly dropping temperature. “Alex?”

  His voice came out softly; barely louder than a whisper. He watched as the huddled green form of his student moved to look at him; he inhaled sharply.

  Alex’s face was a dead giveaway to why he hadn’t been in class that day; a black eye, slit lip and several small cuts and bruises covered the young turtle’s face. Alex’s normally blue eyes were bloodshot and oddly cloudy, even as Leo stood there his mind reeling he watched as Alex reached up and tried to wipe away the tears that were half frozen to his face; but only succeeded in wincing as he touched his injured face. Leo’s eyes raked the turtle’s small frame, trembling from the cold. He noted rather alarmed that although Alex’s legs were drawn in against his body, his toes seemed to be relaxed; a bad signs when it came to reptiles and cold. He watched as Alex tried to give him a small smile. “Sorry…….I’m late for class.”

  Moving forward Leo knelt down while tugging off his jacket before wrapping it around Alex’s shuddering form. “Are you crazy? It’s freezing outside; where is your jacket?”

  Alex didn’t respond as a fresh wave of shudders wracked his body. He felt Leo’s arms wrap around his waist and slowly help him into a standing position. Balancing himself against Alex’s oddly limp form Leo dug around in his pocket until he found his keys before opening his front door and half dragging the younger turtle inside. Carrying Alex through his house into the living room where he guided Alex down onto the couch before grabbing kneeling down in front of the fireplace busying himself; a few minutes later smiled as a fire sprang to life, casting a warm yellow light through the room. Turning around he grabbed a few blankets and wrapped them around Alex’s still shuddering form; making sure to cover as much of the turtle’s exposed skin as he could. He could feel the younger turtle’s skin, it was ice cold, and with alarm he found several small patches of blue; a sign that the skin had been exposed to the cold for a dangerous amount of time. Biting his lip he weighed his options. the fire would help warm Alex up, but because of the blue patches of skin Alex needed more heat right away.

  Sighing Leo moved over to the windows and closed the blinds; if anyone saw him do what he was about to do, he could get into serious trouble. Once the blinds were all closed he moved back to Alex and
gently gripped his shoulder. Pulling Alex down off the couch Leo did his best to make him comfortable on the floor, before moving behind him and laying down next to him. “I don’t know if you can hear me Alex; but I’m doing this to help. ok?”

  Alex didn’t respond, instead only let out a faint whimper. Wrapping his arms around Alex’s body Leo pulled the younger turtle against him; his hands wrapping around Alex’s chest Leo felt a faint blush cover his face as he buried his nose against the younger turtle’s neck and exhaled warm air against Alex’s cold skin. He could feel Alex moving, instinctively moving closer to the source of warmth and comfort. He felt his heart clench slightly as one of Alex’s hands found his hand and forced its fingers into his own.

  Alex’s hand was trembling just as badly as the rest of his body. He could feel Alex trying to talk but he gently squeezed Alex’s hand. “shhhhh. Don’t talk. Save your energy.”

  After a moment Alex responded his voice quivering and shaking. “Th….Th…thank you.”