Standard Disclaimers: This is a work of fiction. The people in the story are fictional. Anybody partaking in sexual activities that are described here, is over 18 years of age.
***
My name is Daniel Hill. I am now a 28 year old civil engineer. I have my own small business, which after a slow start, is now picking up.
All throughout my four years of high school, located in the north end of Seattle, I seemed to stand out. My family had just moved from Wichita, Kansas, so I knew absolutely nobody. It didn't help that I was one of the smallest boys in the entire school, that had over 2,000 students.
On my second day of classes, right after school let out, I was leaving the building, when a group of absolute jerks started calling out to me, saying things like, hey, shrimp, get off your knees.
I just kept on walking, doing my best to ignore them altogether. That ended when one of them, who stood over 6 feet tall and was on the chubby side stepped right in front of me. He pointed at a pin I was wearing on my shirt, and smirked, asking if that was a diaper pin.
It just so happened that is the award I received being the 8th grade Kansas State Wrestling champion, in the 118 pound classification, the previous year. I now tipped the scales at 130, but could bench press nearly 180 pounds.
I very nicely told them what the award was, and asked them to let me pass. All three moved in front of me, with chubby poking my chest with one finger.
"Don't do that, again," I said, firmly.
Poke, poke.
I guess he was a bit slow on the uptake, but he knew I meant business, when I grabbed his entire hand, bending that finger back easing up just before the knuckle dislocated.
"Poke me, again, asshole, and I break the entire fucking finger!"
All three backed away, with chubby in tears, yelling for someone to call the cops.
I didn't realize the size of the crowd that had gathered, all hooting at these three clowns, telling them if the cops were called, things would go poorly for them.
The next day, I was called to the Principal's office, where I was asked about that incident. When I told him what happened in my own words, he said several students told him the very same thing.
I felt good going back to my class, and for the rest of the day.
A little back story about this new school I was attending. A very large, nearly all white school, making my head of very dark, curly hair stand out among the mostly Scandinavian students. I was even asked by one girl if I was black. Jesus, what idiots, just because my curly hair was black, didn't make me black.
For the first several weeks, I just tried fitting in and making new friends. I wasn't going to impress many of my fellow students, standing 5'4" and weighing 130, or so. Until one very warm October day, I wore what was known as a muscle shirt. Yes, even though I only tipped the scales at 130, I lifted weights for my wrestling, which I had been doing since 3rd grade.
Over the years I had won several state and regional titles, but only wore that one award pin, to school. With my physique on display, some of my classmates took notice.
One girl in 3 of my classes, who was the only girl in school with curlier hair than mine. Yes, she was black, and considerably taller than I was.
I knew her name was Cora, and for some reason I thought she looked at least 3 or 4 years older than me. Where I had sort of a baby face, and barely needed to shave, she had the face and body of someone much older.
One lunchtime, I was enjoying my quiet time, having lunch, when I hear a voice asking if the seat next to me was taken. Looking up, Cora was there, so I asked her to join me.
"Daniel Hill," I said.
"Cora Wright," she responded, asking if I made it a practice hurting class jerks.
When I asked her if that was going around school, she told me she watched it all, and was silently cheering me on.
"In case you haven't noticed, Daniel, there aren't many blacks at this school."
"I've noticed, there aren't even very many with dark, curly hair, either"
We just sort of hit it off.
When wrestling practice started, I was so busy, that I didn't have much time for socializing, but I let Cora know when my first meet was, hoping she might be there.
The local media got wind of my success, back in Kansas, so our gym was fairly crowded, especially since my opponent for my first high school match, was a defending conference champion, and a senior.
Warming up, there was quite a buzz in the gym. A larger than usual crowd, with both my parents, Ed and Linda Hill, there, too.
The match was no contest. I hate to brag, but this kid was my weight, but nearly 5 inches taller than me. With me staying low and utilizing a very attacking style, it was over in 1 minute and 6 seconds. Pin number 1 in my high school career.
As I shook the opposing coaches hand, I noticed Cora sitting in the stands with this shocked look on her face. I smiled at her, and went back to cheer on my teammates.
I wound up my freshman season with a 36 and 1 record, and won my first state championship.
Cora and I just remained casual friends during the year, and I knew with me attending two different wrestling camps, my summer would be very busy. My family also took a vacation back to Kansas, to visit my grandfather.
Over the summer, I had a growth spurt. I grew nearly 4 inches and gained 25 pounds. Lucky for me, it was nearly all muscle. With the weight gain and both wrestling camps, I could hardly wait to get back on the mats, in the fall.
First day of my Sophomore year in high school started with me getting reacquainted with old friends and trying to make new ones. The topic of my growth spurt was discussed at length. Even though it was still warm, I did wear my letterman's jacket, with all the patches denoting my state championship.
My day was made even better, at lunch when I heard a familiar voice asking if that seat was open. Cora sat down next to me, and we very briefly kissed. This still being a nearly all white school, more than a few eyebrows were raised, and whispers were running through the lunchroom.
The school year was highlighted by my winning another state championship, this one at 158 pounds, and going undefeated, at 37 and 0.
Summer had a more intensive wrestling camps, and another trip to Kansas. I grew one more inch, to 5'9" and kept my weight right around 160 to 165.
Back to start my Junior year, fitting in with my friends, but not seeing Cora. I figured she would find me, if I didn't find her, first. By the second month I was worried, so I went to her house, one Saturday, and knocked on the door. Her father answered the door, and with a scowl asked me what I wanted.
I asked if Cora was there, and he replied something along the lines of, so you are the 'white bread kid' she's been talking about.
"Guilty as charged, Mr. Wright," I smiled.
Just then, I caught a glimpse of Cora as she walked to the front door. My smile soon disappeared, when I saw she was very pregnant.
"I hope you know, Mr. Wright, I didn't do this."
"We know, young man, the creep who did this is in jail with multiple charges. Statutory rape, sexual assault, and various drug related charges."
While holding Cora's hands, I asked them both if she and I could talk. Moving to their back yard, we sat on a double seated swing, just holding hands.
"I hope you know that you could have come to me, Cora," I said with just a bit of hurt in my voice.
"I know, Danny, but I didn't want you to do anything foolish, to get yourself in trouble."
"Is there anything I can do?"
Shaking her head, she laid her head on my shoulder, and started to softly cry.
"After your baby is born, if you need any help with schoolwork, all you have to do is ask."
"I'm not going back to school, Danny,"
"Oh, yes you are, my friend, even if I have to drag you."
I didn't notice her parents standing behind us, when I heard her mother telling her father, see that boy has promise.
My junior year was highlighted by me winning my third state championship, putting me in a class of only a few in this state who just might finish up as four time state champs. That was my goal, along with getting into a college with a good engineering program.
The summer between my junior and senior year, I couldn't attend any wrestling camps, as NCAA rules prohibited them, citing recruiting issues. I did, however spend some time getting to know Cora's little boy, William. Not having any siblings, it was something new, and the Wright family needed some friendly contact that I offered.
I did almost get used to Cora nursing Will, with me never seeing a black breast before, but after a while, I think she did this to see me blush. Her entire family seemed to enjoy watching me turn several shades of red.
Over the summer, I did convince Cora to enroll in the district's alternative high school, to get either her diploma or GED.
As my senior year started, she was going to classes as a junior, and was able to take Will with her. Her grandmother also was helping her with raising him.
When my senior season finally got underway, I started receiving quite a few scholarship offers from some very good schools.
My folks told me it was my decision, but to keep in mind that I wanted to become an engineer, so choose my school, wisely.