Lucy-Belle: School of Willow-Vine

By Mariah Argüello

I am rejuvenating from Summer-break. Ready to get the school year started. Knowing that my
year will have its struggles. That's my job. To help structure and teach the lives have
headstrong, ill-mannered, and ill-natured kids.
I am not realizing at that moment, that my struggles were going to be with the adults. My
coworkers. The people I am supposed to count on. My team. I realize that adults can be worse
than kids.
I never imagined getting bullied at work. Especially from grown adults. I thought we were a
team. We are supposed to support one another, not tear each other down. We work at a school
for troubled kids, but yet the trouble coming from the adult minds. We are supposed to be
examples, role models for these young children. Who are mentally still growing? However, we
are teaching them to lie, hurt one another, and do whatever it takes to bring your peers down.
So you can get ahead.
Our kids are not dumb. They know what's going on, they see it. They are smarter than you
think. Bullying does not just happen in your young life. It can happen to anyone at any time. So
many people get bullied at their place of work. Sometimes the victim has nowhere else to turn
but to turn to social media.
When you so caught up in the torment that you can't think right. Your brain is on fire. From all
the suffering, confusion, questions, and sadness. That when you're in the crossfire, you can't
think clearly. To stand up for yourself. When you finally do stand up for yourself. You are in
tears, shaky, anxious, terrified, and have so many thoughts flashing through your fired brain.
Your higher up does not agree with you.
He agrees with the bullies who are clear-minded. Who are the master manipulators? Who have
their thoughts together?
I had to walk through the crossfires this year — the fire of feeling mentally alone, not wanting to
go to the job I once loved so much, feeling a heavy weight on my shoulder, not being able to
escape reality. The reality of my life. The truth of getting bullied, not knowing where my life will
be in a month from now. The ups and downs I have to face, of my everyday life. Questions I
have to ask.
The questions are, will I escape the torment? Will I be a survivor? Or will I end up giving up on
myself? Will the bullies once again get away with murder? Will the truth prevail?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796029840

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Now here in August we are unpacking all the boxes and organizing where everything will go. We currently do not have air conditioning set up. The team is hot and sweating, climbing up and down from the rooms. Yes because the rooms did not have stairs yet; to get inside and outside easily without climbing on hands and knees and jumping to the hard gravel floor. Boxes are filling up every inch of the outskirt of the rooms. Going through pounds of material trying to see what goes with what, and where it should go. Leveling the books that have never been level before. Throwing pounds of material away because we either had too much of the same material or the school material did not have its complete set!

We are Cleaning the rooms from top to bottom, Cobwebs all over the place, where ever you walk. Yellow and brown gook is streaming down the once white walls. The toilets covered in years of pee and poop. Dirt and rocks are covering the gray carpet floor. The smell of death surrounding you in every room. Different colored stains on the carpet, like brown, red, yellow, and black. Old brown connected desks attached to orange chairs piled up in one room. Built up dirt on the desk/chair. Tables that have missing legs and are slanted!

We didn’t have any cleaning supplies, so I asked my dad if he had any cleaning supplies we could use. He bought bleach, spit-fire, wind-ex, and paper towels. He lent us his vacuum. The kids were not even at school yet, and wouldn’t be at school for a few more weeks. Mrs. Lilith was not thankful for the cleaning supplies. Also, though she was complaining about not having nothing to use, she was stressing about how the cleaning supplies are dangerous and shouldn’t be out for the kids to see even though we were going to use all the cleaning supplies before the kids would arrive! Lilith was not thankful for what my father had done. She made me feel like crap because I got cleaning supplies to clean the disgusting abandoned building.

I was mentally thinking, how am I going to get all of this done in two weeks? It’s going to take a lifetime to get all of this clean and put together. Where do I even start? My colleagues felt the same way. We started cleaning and unpacking one room at a time, washing the walls with cold bleach water out of water jugs, because yes, we didn’t have water yet! I was standing on a ladder to clean the top of the dirty, disgusting walls, climbing up and down the ladder to re-soak the wet towel in bleached water, also vacuuming the dirty floors with a backpack vacuum. The vacuum was not picking up all the rocks! What are we going to do? Mr. Oleander started picking up the little rocks with his hands. Mr. Oleander and I started wiping the chairs front to back, top to bottom with wet bleached napkins. The smell of bleach felt so amazing to smell after all the rotten smell I been breathing all day.

The next few days all of us paraprofessionals and teachers cleaned and unpacked the rooms. We also painted the rooms’ different colors. The Social Studies room was painted white. In the English office, one wall is painted a pretty light yellow, while the other wall we painted a beautiful light green. The other two walls in the English room were left white. In the Math room; we painted two walls blue while keeping the other two walls white. The high school room we didn’t get to paint. The principal office was; painted a light green sea colored paint. And the Counselor room was already painted to a beautiful turquoise color! I loved that color of his newfound room. Mr. Tristan so much didn’t like the color and wanted to repaint over it.

Mrs. Lilith was saying, There is no absolute way we are going to get all this done in two weeks! My gosh! What are we going to do with the children when they come back? Mrs.

Leah is agreeing with her and telling her, we are going to have to talk to Diggory. He is going to have to make some phone calls explaining what is going on here, in this disaster—we call home.

Mr. Oleander, Mrs. Sapphire, Mr. Doyle, Mrs. Dolores and I were in the next room painting the wall yellow, listening to some 80’s rock music, while laughing and talking.

Doyle, Hey who knows how to do the twist? Started twisting his ankles and Mrs. Sapphire started dancing along with him. Lilith happened to step in the hot room, and seen Mr. Oleander spilling yellow paint spots all over the floor! He was laughing about it, saying, Oops I dropped some more paint.

Lilith, Stop painting Mr. Oleander, you’re making a huge mess. Give the paintbrush to someone else, who knows how to paint without making such a mess. Oleander smiled and handed the paint brush to me.

I started painting the trims first, being very careful to not get yellow paint on the floor or the black trims. I was wearing my purple; blue yoga pants, with my black t-shirt. I was not too concerned of; getting paint on my workout outfit. It’s my cleaning/painting outfit! I got the roller and started painting the rest of the wall yellow. Mrs. Lilith, Wow Lucy-Belle you’re doing a great job! Your a pro at painting aren’t you?

I told her, yes, I have painted lots before in my life. I helped paint the primary school modulars outside of it. I scraped the old paint, primed it, and painted it. I also have done other small painting projects. But I still am learning more about painting and how to paint, where it comes more easier and relaxed.

Lilith, If I ever need to paint anything, I am going to ask you first, if you will be willing to paint for me. I smiled and kept on painting; while listening to 80’s rock.

Doyle, Sapphire, and Dolores also were painting. Sapphire was in the small inner room between the English room and Math room, painting the walls in there yellow. She was standing on the ladder, while Doyle passed her the wet yellow paint-brush to her. Dolores was on the other side of the doorway, on the same wall as me, painting.

Lilith sarcastically said, "Mrs. Narcissa is never here. Its barley, the first two weeks of work, and she is gone. ‘Yeah; I have to work at the Willow-Vine fair too.’

Mrs. Sapphire laughed at the comment. While shaking her head towards Lilith comment, Mr. Oleander, Doyle, Sapphire, and I all walked over to the humanities room. Putting our hands on the door ledge, pulling ourselves up onto the door ledge. As we pulled ourselves up; we put one knee on the door ledge. We are placing our hands in front of the door, On the tile floor. We are using the tile floor to push ourselves into the room.

Mrs. Lilith complained about Narcissa always missing work; And not getting deducted for her missed hours.She was also upset, how Narcissa can go home early. I understand back then that she was just an uncertified substitute. And substitutes do not need to help with recess duty, lunch duty, and they could go home once all the kids are gone. That was the excuse Mr.

Diggory had for her. He couldn’t legally force her to help with lunch or recess. He legally couldn’t have her stay till four O’clock because her job will be done for the day once the kids are gone. She was hired though; as a full year substitute. They are working every-day when the students are at school. But this year she is employed as a paraprofessional.

Diggory, So everyone I talked to Peach about having to move the school days back, because obviously; we are not ready to have students here. (We all were taking a break sitting in a circle in the English room). I explained it’s not safe for kids to come to an unfinished building.

Lilith, that is good news to hear. Now we don’t need to rush, to get things done. Also, we still need electricity in this building. Get the water running over here. We want the kids to be in a safe environment.

I asked if any-one; else needed help in their soon to be rooms. Mrs. Leah asked if I could help vacuum her room. Happily, I said, yes I would love to do that for you. I love vacuuming. I was wearing the heavy backpack vacuum while trying to vacuum up every little thing on the dirty, rocky floor. Rocky I mean there was a lot of small rocks all over the carpet floor. Mr. Oleander and I switched on and off with the vacuum.

Wow, it is coming along. It is starting to look like a classroom, I said happily. All of us were talking about the kids that will be back this year, and the new kids that will be joining us — getting ready to enjoy our official last weekend of Summer break before school starts up for us.

Dolores, Hey Sapphire, Doyle, Oleander, Leah, and Lilith do you want to go out after work and have a drink. It’s on me. They all said yes, that sounds amazing.

Mrs. Sapphire asked me, "Lucy-Belle would you like to go with us to have a few drinks?

It would be nice to have you there with us."

I said happily, Yeah I would love to go have a few drinks. I need to have a few from this long hot day that we had. Laughing while smiling. I drove away in my red car, to meet everyone at the bar. I got the Midnight3 light beer. It’s my favorite tap beer that the bar in Willow-Vine sells. I said, We should all do something exciting this weekend before the kids come back to school. Sapphire looked at me and agreed with the idea.

We could all get together and have drinks at Doyle’s house. Or even go to the movies. Sapphire stated as she was sipping from her red beer. She and Doyle were sitting next to each other and sitting across from Mr. Oleander and me.

Remember the time we all got together for New Years? It was our first year working together. We all went to Mrs. Beatrice house to have drinks. Gosh; I got so drunk, that was a fun night. I remember Beatrice was so open about everything. Kind, to let us over to drink. Remember When Aaron was hitting on Beatrice — wanting to kiss her. My, that was a good night. A fun night at that, we all got so drunk. We need to have another night like that again. Oleander said in laughter. He was drinking a light beer.

Just one he had. He had church, to attend. That would have been horrible to go to church all buzz or even drunk. Even a light buzz would be wrong. In my opinion anyways. Oleander’s view too.

Everything that Oleander, Sapphire, and Doyle were saying. Of memories. Sounded so fun, I wish I could have started the same year as them. I started working there a year after them. Everyone was slowly leaving the bar of Willow-Vine. I eventually went. I had two big glasses of Midnight3 to drink. It was a strong beer. But oddly my favorite.

I was getting ready to sleep. Thinking about how great this school year was going to be; Thinking. Wondering at the same time, what kind of year I will have. Last year was great for me.

This year should be too. My eyes were getting so heavy, that I couldn’t keep them open. I was scrolling through my phone, seeing the amusement park in Denver. Wishing I could go back with my friends. Go back on the slingshot. At first; I was genuinely terrified to go on. But I did it, and I am sure glad I did! It was fun and not all that bad — good rush of adrenaline.

I dropped the phone on my chest. My arms were starting to hurt from holding my cellphone up over my eyes, placing my phone on my nightstand, rolling over on my side to go to sleep. In a matter of seconds; I was out. I have such intense dreams. So intense that it feels real.

That it could be real, I wake up at times, confused. Did it happen? Or did it not?

CHAPTER 2

The dream

Waking up at five A.M. So I could be ready on time. I know I take so long to get ready. I decided to wear my black, new jeans that I got from the mall. It has jewels on the back pockets. Silver jewels. With my new burgundy blouse that flows. It has black lace on the top of the shirt showing my upper chest and shoulders. I wore my hair down straight with makeup on of course. I always like to wear makeup and dress nice! Lucy-Belle! Your coworkers are starting to show up. Ok, mom! I am ready! I love you mom!

and dad! I grabbed my purse and keys in a rush to get outside. Good Morning everyone, how are you all doing this beautiful morning?

Great, I got my mom to watch Rebecca and Raymond Joe for me, Sapphire said, excitedly. She was wearing blue jean shorts and a purple blouse.

I woke up with a slight hangover, but other than that I am ready to hit the road. Exclaimed Doyle in a harsh voice. He had is usual blue jeans on, and his Aspen football Jersey.

Dolores confirmed, Lets’ go! Lets’ go! We are going to be late. The gates open at nine O’clock. She was wearing her usual Blue Jeans with her favorite orange sweater. Dolores natural platinum blonde hair was up in a messy bun.

I woke up feeling wonderful. God has granted me a beautiful day, another life of living. I drink some black coffee this morning, and fed Noah, his favorite dog food. Gracefully said

Oleander. He was wearing, is usual gray slacks, and his dark gray and black sweater.

I was driving well Mrs.Sapphire was sitting; in, the passenger side. Poor Mr. Oleander was sitting in the middle of the backseat. I drove the whole way to Blue Spruce Amusement Park.

We listened to my favorite 80’s rock station. We sang along to songs, and we conversated about random things.

I was looking at the big Ferris-wheel in front of me. It was right on top of the Granite cliffs in Blue Spruce Junction. The Ferris-wheel chairs hanged over at one point — the two hundred foot cliff of granite, limestone, and gneiss cliffs of Blue Spruce Junction.

We got out of my car in a rush. So we could check-in at the stand. We bought tickets to ride the rides and eat their delicious food! The ticket cost ninety dollars to ride all the rides, and eat one free meal as well as eat all the snacks we want! It’s a great ending to our summer vacation.

We entered the grim park with no sight of others around. We walked into this towering, beautiful Spanish architecture building. I clicked on the elevator button to open the door. As the door creaked open, we all walked in. There were thirty-nine floors to pick. I said, Let’s start; at, the thirteenth floor. We pressed the number thirteen, and up we went. The elevator door opened in a rush, and we rushed out of the elevator gold box. The room had stairs we could climb. The carpet was red with white dots on it. The walls were gold with; silver trimming all around; the Beautiful chandeliers hanging from the gold and silver dome. There were old arcade games around the dark circular room next door of the entrance room. Sapphire said, Let’s go upstairs, we can climb this round staircase. It looks intriguing. We headed up the stairs, yet when we reached the top, it said, floor thirteen B. We entered a room with others in it. One girl came running, watch out for the eagles! They will attack you one inch deep into your skin. There is wind; at about seventy—five miles per hour. Every-time you open the door from this side! Some of us can get out while others can’t get out; we are not strong enough to push through the gusting wind!

Terrified I opened the door, and felt a gush of wind. I closed the door in fright and turned around to look at everyone else. Sapphire said, "We can push through this first fright. We have to get low to the ground, and use our legs to hold us down, make it to the next staircase which will lead us to ‘floor thirteen c.’ So I opened the door and stayed low, used my leg muscle to hold me down on the floor! I slowly moved to the next staircase. I held onto the white railing and lifted myself to each step. I eventually made it to the next floor.

Sapphire, Doyle, Dolores, Oleander, and I were panicking, shaking with scare in our hearts! I saw a dark cave like a tunnel; that said, Purple Bat. We walked into the dark cave and seen a purple roller coaster flying towards us. We got onto the; mischievous ride. I Laid down on the purple surface of the ride. I Got seatbelted in. One! Two! Three! The ride took up at a ninety—degree angle, up about sixty feet high. Then we dropped at an eighty—degree angle, twisting and turning on the ride. It lasted two minutes — all the highs, lows, and turns. Once we reached the finish line, we got off the ride in a rush. My head was spinning in circles. Gosh! I feel sick.

We walked into the right cave of us. I saw a circling cylinder that we had to walk through. It had lights of purple, yellow, pink, blue, and orange. We were walking while keeping our balance! I fell down this white hole. I was screaming all the way down landing on lots of fluffy cotton. I crawled till I saw a door with light shining out of it. Over here! Can you see the light? Sapphire is screaming, We’re right behind you Lucy-Belle! I got up from my hands and knees and saw tons of people all over the place. Tons of different caves we could take, and rides we could try! It was like being in a dream, an Arguello dream, that’s what I call it anyways. I named it after my ancestors from my father side.

Still remembering what the girl said about the eagles, and to watch out for their claws. That had fear in my head. Strolling to see what cave I should take next. What cave should we ride next? Let’s go this way, Stated Oleander. We walked up white metal stairs. I have seen tons of snacks to eat. Popcorn,