One World, One Family

Pelin Morgan

“Nerd”

“I DON’T CARE!”

This last statement was not true. A prim girl with tightly plaited hair was talking to a gang of ‘over friendly’ girls. Or at least that it what the teacher would see and think. If you looked closer, you would notice the quivering of her jaw, the tears threatening to overspill and her flushed cheeks. Her fists were clenched to her sides; knuckles white “oh look girls, Woodpecker’s getting’ angry!” The girl who had spoken was wearing designer shoes and an Alice band. Her flawless, creamy face, was contorted with spiteful, mocking thoughts. Indeed, with her dark skin, white blouse, red cardigan and the name of Amy Becker, ‘Woodpecker’ was a well picked nickname for Amy. Before she could throw another retort back, the school bell rang, saving her breath. As she was walking up to line Amy sighed, and tried to smile. Unfortunately, since she was concentrating on NOT crying, all she managed was an incomprehensible blank stare.

* * *

“Dad, what would you do if people were being racist and bullying you?” Amy inquired. Her father looked up. “Why? What’s wrong? “Err, nothing, just wondering, it’s for a piece of homework,” He met her faltering gaze. “Look, of something’s happened at school, I need to tell your teachers. It’s very serious being racist.”

“No! I mean, please don’t tell the teachers! Just tell me know to deal with them.” She added; “please!” Her father got up from his desk, where he had been looking through some files and receipts. “Don’t get worked up Angel” he reassured her, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. “They’re the ones who need to be forgiven – you haven’t done anything wrong.” “But they’d laugh at me if I tried to forgive them.” Amy pointed out.

“I don’t mean it like that.” Her father sighed. “You need to forgive them here.” He presses his fist to his heart. “After all, we are all one family.”

“WHAT!!” yelled his daughter? “I haven’t even got the same skin colour!” She looked at him as if he were mad. “Look,” he said. “Everyone in this world is connected. No matter what they look like. No matter what they do. We need to love each other; like I do you and you do me.” Amy’s look of disbelief melted into one of surprise. “I – I think I understand,” she stammered. “One world, one family.” She said.

“Since her mother passed away, I have realised a lot of things.” He held her protectively. “Now, you be brave tomorrow.”

“I will” came the answer, a bit muffled, from the depths of his bear hug.

* * *

“Where is your dinner money? Nerd!” The head bully stood in front of Amy, arms folded. “No way, - Camilla,” she spat the last word out. “But I am ready to forgive you of you are,” Amy held a steady gaze. Camilla looked shocked and then amused.

“WOODPECKER gonna’ forgive us!” she chortled to her gang. “So be it,” stated Amy, and with a little huff, she turned on her heel and stalked off.

* * *

20 MINUTES LATER…in the swimming pool

“Hmmm” thought Amy, her toes dangling in the water. Her best friend (if she had any), Maddie, sat next to her. She had a wheelchair, she couldn’t swim. “From my dives and your stopwatch, I’d guess that you have to hold your breath for about a minute to touch the bottom of the deep end,” Amy was saying. “Look! Here comes the rest of the class!” Maddie yelled. “Hey don’t shout in my ear!” Amy said in the same volume. Amy Becker was the best swimmer in the school and had won lots of medals, trophy’s and a variety of prizes. “COME ON!” ushered Maddie as Amy daydreamed, looking in the direction of Camilla. Maddie wasn’t allowed near the poolside either. They would get in big trouble if caught. “OK, ok.” Amy wheeled Maddie into the changing rooms. “Phew!” Amy got back just before her teacher, Mrs Williams. “Right class!” Mrs Williams said. “Slide in on your tummies!” she frowned. “Amy, why are you wet?” Amy stuttered; “I – I fell…in the pool!” her teacher looked suspicious but didn’t comment on her explanation. Luckily, nobody had heard enough of her lie to deny it.

Since she was practicing for a big race, Amy swam separate from everybody else. So she was the one there when someone fell in the deep end. She was the only one who saw. She didn’t think, she just dived straight in.  The chlorine burnt her eye without her blue trade mark goggles. A dark murky shape swiftly travelling towards the bottom. “Don’t go any deeper! Please?” she silently willed whoever it was. Fighting her bodies natural buoyancy, she pressed on, kicking her legs madly. Her muscles were screaming, go back. Just a little bit more she reassured her self. She pushed her self a few extra yards. The body wasn’t struggling Amy could see little red bubbles popping out from under long hair. Amy assumed she had cut her head. A little bit closer, the girl gently bumped the tile and drifted into Amy’s waiting arms. She was feeling like she usually did, just before she surfaced. Only this time she wasn’t surfacing. She couldn’t see. Was she going up or down? Her ribs were burning. Was she dying? No, but she would soon. She needed to breathe. Now! Air! Air! She was on fire. Iron clasps squeezed her torso with only one thought in her mind –‘UP!’ She struggled to help her body float in a direction she thought was up, and to stop being violently sick with nausea.

It felt like hours but she had actually been under, close to two minutes. A light! A small ray of light shining through the water caught her attention. That last stretch was the most painful of all, flickering in and out of consciousness, dizzy and bursting with an unbearable pain. Now she knew where the word ‘agony’ came from, white hot searing pain. Then she surfaced. Never had air tasted so cool and sweet. By now, her eyes were stinging and were swollen, but she had made it! Amy had survived! Carefully wiping wet hair away, Amy looked at the other girls face and gasped. Dragging her in tow, she pulled her up on to the side where she promptly fainted.

She woke to see a face smiling at her “She’s coming round!” seconds later, she found herself surrounded by a cheering class. Amy went for a walk, - later. She looked deep into the nearly drowned girls eyes and said, simply; “One world,” “One family.” answered Camilla.