gooseberryhigh | MEETINGS WITH THORN

After receiving multiple student complaints, Mr. Thorn requests that Christopher Park and Levi Kramer come see him in his office after classes end. It's immediately apparent that the normally upbeat Quidditch coach is in no laughing mood when he tells the boys that if they want to skip this chat, they can consider themselves removed from the school team.

"We talk a lot about pro scouts and showing up Ilvermorny, but Team Gooseberry is meant to represent the school, first and foremost. Bullying and harassment aren't qualities we want Gooseberry to be known for, and they're definitely not what I want associated with the person I've trusted to lead. Being on this team is a privilege. If you don't think so, there are a dozen kids who'll take your spots. And sorry, gentlemen, but I hold my players to a higher standard than Vector or Merrill do.

"Chris, you're no longer captain. Levi, if you're serious about wanting to play pro, then you should learn to show respect and restraint. Attitude can mean the difference between first string or staying on the reserve bench." Thorn crosses his arms, looking at Chris and Levi in turn to make it clear that his next words are addressed to them both. "If I hear about another incident like this again, you're off the team. Consider this your one chance." He dismisses them with that warning.

Before junior bonding begins, Mr. Thorn tracks down Clementine Decourt for a talk.

He gets right to the point. "Clem, I'm making you the new captain of the school team. Roster's the same otherwise. Game against Ilvermorny's on March 12. That's three weeks. Plenty of time to get settled." Thorn pauses a moment, his demeanour softening. "If you need help, I'm here, but I know Fiori and Stoker respect you and will offer advice." He laughs. "Not that you're forced to listen to them. I'm more than confident you can handle this."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(i feel......... quite bad for them lmao if this had happened to me in hs i would have, idk, turned into a melodramatic ghost and haunted my school or embraced alcoholism at an even younger age or smthng)

(Give them time. They can still go down that path. My money's on the melodramatic ghost tbh)

(This school is gonna be full of melodramatic ghosts by the end of this year I'm calling it)

(new lotto: comment to be the one student that DOESNT turn to a melodramatic ghost)

(i mean levi's first incarnation was basically a melodramatic alcoholic ghost that haunted the bars in search of BOOty to make himself feel wanted and validated.)

(i would've cried. one time in in the fourth grade i had a mental breakdown because i got in trouble for trying to teach a new foreign student english and the teacher said it was bullying.)

(Oh my god I have literally never got in trouble for anything I don't even know how I would handle it. But Chris getting in trouble is giving me second hand shame.)

(i also had a mental breakdown because in fifth grade, a girl convinced me the m&m dispenser on the teacher's desk was for everyone and i got caught with a handful of m&ms. i ended up bullying the girl who bullied me and i never got in trouble for it.)

(When I was a kid I lived next to the elementary school I went to. And I joined band in fifth grade. But my mom worked nights and woke up late like three times a week so I always got to school late Bc I was an asshole kid who can't wake up on my own. But my mom prioritized band over actual school so she made sure no matter what I got there in time to go to band. But I was the one that had to go to class and get lectured about being late and then very quietly tell my teacher 'okay but now I have to go to band...' and start her on a whole new lecture. It was the worst year of my life)

( do yall think having a rough time in 5th grade is the reason we all live vicariously through fictional children today )

(Probably)

(Once in first grade this classmate had to go pee (keep in mind there is a bathroom IN the classroom) and the teacher refused to let him. She made him stand beside her desk until she was done grading papers. And the entire class got to watch this poor kid piss himself. When a toilet was three feet away. I wonder what THAT kid is doing with his life now)

(no subject)

longcons - 2017-02-17 22:03 (UTC) - Expand

gdilevi - 2017-02-17 22:08 (UTC) - Expand

(the m&m incident in the 5th grade changed me. by 6th grade, i was an edgy goth and always flying yellow on the green-yellow-red behavior system. i learned that demerits meant nothing if i didn't accumulate enough to get detention before they were wiped.)

(i still never got a detention until freshman year of high school when somebody in my computer class printed out 50 copies of a smiley face and we all got in trouble for it. i had a mental breakdown.)

bambae - 2017-02-17 22:10 (UTC) - Expand

(ok but did u learn to play ur instrument real good? that's the important question here.)

(Nope lmao. I switched to bass clarinet in seventh grade Bc our band didn't have any and also because I felt like playing high notes took too much effort. I dropped out altogether in eight grade)

(i was a Habitual Truant and Regular Saturday School Attendee by the time i was in high school but sometimes i think back to the one (1) time i got in trouble for real in the 5th grade and i have to do a shot)

(poor kids)

(They laughed at a sophomore. You're not supposed to feel bad for them)

( but i do tho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ congratulations gooseberry, you've discovered the only feeling im capable of experiencing: secondhand embarrassment and shame )

(One time when I was editor-in-chief of the hs paper my news editor and I put a dumb placeholder headline on the front page and then sent it to the printers before we noticed it and they took my editorship from me until I cried so hard it shamed the teacher into giving it back.

It was the worst hour of my life and I still feel bad about it.)

(.......the placeholder headline was about a test tearing sophomores a new one too, I think sophomores are the problem here you guys)

(FUCK SOPHOMORES)

(........ last spring i tried to use my friend's VIB sephora coupon and account to get an extra 15% discount on a lipstick, all at her urging. i froze and spelled 'my' name wrong and i felt so horrible that in the end i nearly cried and just paid full price because i felt such Shame.

i might still be a sophomore.)

(Oh my god kas)

(i spelled "my" name wrong twice. and then i blanked on "my" phone number.)

(i was one hair shy of a compulsive liar as a kid and twenty years later i still feel so bad about it that lying makes me panic and feel ill.)

(i'd be the worst spy.)

(ok this reminded me of a time when i was 11 i wanted to get GYM MEMBERSHIP but you had to be 12 so i lied and said i was but when they asked me my birthday i panicked and forgot the year i was born. long story short, i said i was 15.

i was already the shortest kid in the class at 11. the employee was very confused/concerned. fuck tha police tho b/c i SOLD that lie and ive been a YMCA member ever since.)

bambae - 2017-02-17 22:17 (UTC) - Expand

gdilevi - 2017-02-17 22:20 (UTC) - Expand

gdilevi - 2017-02-17 22:23 (UTC) - Expand

(Excuse you kas I remember you very convincingly committing identity fraud at your conference in San Diego to get some damn books, you'd be a passable spy at least)

quinning - 2017-02-17 22:25 (UTC) - Expand