Page 40 of Atticus
“Something like that,” I reply.
“That’s crap!” Pearl scoffs, offended on my behalf. Next to her, Jack says nothing and sinks into his seat a little.
“But there are other ways to get a point across, besides a fist,” I continue. “Athenian scholars discussed love in its many forms. They cherished it, and how it can bring about positive change.” I look at Lucy. “We are getting into philosophy a little, but if I may?”
“Go ahead.” Lucy offers the stylus for the classroom holoboard.
I begin writing across it. “The Greeks categorized eight different kinds of love:erosor passion, which can be dangerous and impulsive.Ludus, or playful love, which is what you might experience when flirting.Philautiaor self love, the idea that you cannot completely love a person unless you love yourself first.Mania, obsessive or unbalanced love.”
“Is that what the word maniac comes from?” Hoseok asks.
“Exactly,” I reply, writing swiftly across the board. “Maniais unhealthy. I’m sure if the philosophers lived nowadays, they likely couldn’t categorize it as a kind of love at all. Next, you havepragma, thoughtful, giving love, putting oneself first before another, understanding and harmony.Storge, family love, like a father for a son or a brother for a sister. Then we havephilia, friendship, which all of you experience here at school. Finally,agape, or compassionate, selfless love for all others. It’s the most spiritual of the eight.”
I turn to the class as they read the board. A few of them are taking notes. “Now, if I was struck by a stranger, and since I am incapable of defending myself, which of these eight forms could I use to potentially defuse the situation?”
Pearl raises her hand. “It would have to beagape, right?”
“Why is that?” Lucy asks, standing back and enjoying herself.
“Well, if the stranger isn’t family or a friend, it can’t be any of the others. You’d have to use compassion and try to calm him down.”
“Exactly,” I say. “He’s striking me. Why?”
“He hates you?” offers a student in the back.
“And why does he hate me?”
“He’s lost his job,” Jack suggests. “Or he thinks he’s gonna lose it. He’s looking for someone to blame.”
“He’s afraid of you,” Vanessa adds.
I motion to her with a triumphant nod. “Exactly. He isafraidof me.” I scan their faces as they consider this. “So how will my raising my hand and hitting him back make himlessafraid?”
“It won’t,” Hoseok says after a moment of quiet.
“I’d just think I was right if you hit me,” Colton reasons with a self-assured scoff.
“Precisely.” I open my arms, motioning widely after giving Lucy back the stylus. “Violence solves nothing. It only causes more suffering, both for myself and my attacker in question. Compassion is a far greater tool than hatred and fear. Love is how I will combat their fears. Just love, understanding, and patience. It’s all I have.”
Lucy rests against the teacher’s desk next to me. There’s a glow in her face and a faint smile tugging softly at the corners of her mouth as she nods appreciatively at me. We share that glance for only a brief moment, but when I turn back the students are staring at us intently.
Far too intently. And Pearl and Vanessa are grinning just a little too widely.
“Remember your reading assignments,” Lucy cuts in, drawing attention away from me. “And Atticus and I will see a majority of you at the big game tonight.”
* * *
Football in St. Morgan is a sacred affair, as sacred as church. At least that’s what I’ve been told multiple times by other members of the faculty. Sullivan has been walking around Vautrin’s campus like he owns the place, and the young men on the football team have been loud and excitable all day. The St. Morgan Spartans are playing against the Crystal Lake Commodores, a school that’s something of an arch-rival.
The rain has ended but the field is wet because of it. Lucy and I arrive before many of the parents so she can find a spot in the stands closest to the action. She’s encouraged me to get into the school spirit for the students’ sake. I carry her large holoboard display that flashes and glimmers with the phraseGo Spartans.
I set it down against the black metal bleachers. “Is it all right if I go find Trey?”
“Go for it,” Lucy says. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I make my way down to the sidelines. Cheerleaders dressed in modest red-and-gold attire ready themselves on the sidelines, and a few of the football players throw the ball back and forth. Warm-ups have begun.
“Ever seen a football game?”
