James Wilson

Dyslexia

I went to English and sat down.
Miss Keane: right today we're just gonna be reading as a class
Oh great
After 20 minutes it reached me
Miss Keane: James
James: what page are we on?
Miss Keane: page 34
I turned that page and of course I had the longest page. I tried to focus on the words but they were jumbled up and swirling. It just wasn't making sense. The letters were blurring and disappearing.
Miss Keane: come on James
James: I don't want to read
Miss Keane: come on
??: just read for god sake
James: you know what fuck this
I stormed out and slammed the door.
James: fucking bullshit
Mrs Carter: James Wilson
James: yeah isolation I know

I went to isolation and sat with my head on my arms on the desk Mr Bell walked in
Mr Bell: James
James: you following me sir?
Mr Bell: I'm supervising isolation this week. Why you here?
James: cause I didn't want to read
Mr Bell: why?
James: I didn't want to
Mr Bell: I know that's not the reason
James: why do you care so much?
Mr Bell: I don't know I just do. You Wilson's have no one to fight for you or watch out for you
James: ah you care
Mr Bell: yeah I do. So do you want to tell me the real reason?
James: i didn't want anyone to laugh at me
Mr Bell: why would they laugh?
James: I'm dyslexic so I'm not very good at reading
Mr Bell: you are?
James: yeah
Mr Bell: how comes it's not on your file?
James: I guess dad never put it down. If he didn't then that means that he didn't put down ADHD and epilepsy. But I guess you figured out the epilepsy part.
Mr Bell: you have ADHD?
James: yeah Jordan too
Mr Bell: ah that makes sense. So what happened in miss Keanes lesson?
James: It was my turn to read. I tried to focus on the words but they were jumbled up and swirling. The letters were blurring and disappearing. So I said I weren't doing it. I walked out and Mrs Carter sent me here.
Mr Bell: did your primary school ever give you any help?
James: they just ignored me. They just focused on the fact that I was a trouble maker. They said I weren't worth helping because I wouldn't get anywhere in life. I'm destined for death or prison.
Mr Bell: we'll help you
James: what's the point this is my last day remember?
Mr Bell: I know i still want to help you
James: fine
Mr Bell went to get a book. He put it down on the desk and sat next to me
Mr Bell: this what you reading in class?
It was of mice and men
James: yeah
Mr Bell: let's see how you get on. If it's too difficult we'll try an easier book
James: okay
Mr Bell: i just want to see where your reading levels at.
I opened the book and looked at the first page

Steve pov
I wanted to help James with his reading before he leaves. He opened the book and I can tell he was trying to focus on the words
James: A few m-mills
Steve: miles
James: a few miles south of Solbad
Steve: Soledad
James: the Salinas River brops
Steve: drops
James: in c-c what does it say?
Steve: close
James: close the to h-hill s-sid bank and rnus beep
Steve: runs deep
James: urgh
Steve: it's alright your doing good. Keep going
James: runs deep and green. waiter (water) the is warm too, for it has s-sl-i
I could see he was getting frustrated.
James: sli-p-ed tinkwling (slipped twinkling). I don't want to anymore
Steve: just finish this sentence
James: I I can't
He threw the book across the room
James: this is stupid. I'm stupid
Steve: No your not
James: I can't read a stupid book. This is something you learn in primary
Steve: and you would've if your teachers helped you. They failed you. You were struggling they saw and still didn't help. I want to try one more thing and then we can finish okay?
James: fine
I grabbed a peach coloured overlay from my desk and put it on the page
Steve: try this it might make it easier. Carry on from where you were
James: tinkwling
Steve: twinkling
James: over the yellow sand in sunlit the before reaching the narrow pool
Steve: how's that?
James: better. It's still hard to read but the words are moving less.
Steve: see with a little help you managed it
James: I guess
Steve: I'm proud of you kid
James: ah sir you going soft
Steve: shut it

The bell went
Steve: how long you in for?
James: all day
Steve: you can join in my PE lesson let's go
James: you sure? Mrs Carter will be pissed
Steve: I'll sort it
James: I don't have my kit tho
Steve: just take off your tie and blazer you'll be fine
James: okay
We made our way to the Astro and James put his stuff down. I sorted two teams and let them just play a match. James was doing well considering he was playing with year 11s. James' team ended up winning and the lesson had finished. It was now the end of the day

James pov
I joined in PE and it was Jordans class. After I got my stuff and started walking away
Jordan: James
James: what?
Jordan: walk home with us
James: fine meet me outside i just need to talk to mr Bell
Jordan: okay
I waited until everyone left
Mr Bell: you alright James?
James: you know your alright for a teacher sir. Everyone just assumes we're trouble but you knew that deep down we are good kids. Your the only sound teacher I've had.
Mr Bell: thanks kid. I know you've had it rough your whole life but this might be good for you ya know. Having a proper family. Not having to worry about food or whether you shut the door to loud. Don't be a stranger okay?
James: cheers sir. I better go Jordans waiting
Mr Bell: stay out of trouble
James: we'll see
I walked off and went to Jordan and Cory
Cory: you ready?
James: nope
We went home and I went to pack my things. I only took the things I wanted. My favourite clothes, trainers, the box at the back of my wardrobe and a few other things. I went downstairs with my bag and the box and put it near the front door.
Cory: you okay?
James: no but is what it is
Cory: takeaway?
James: bet
Jordan came downstairs with his stuff
Cory: Chinese?
Both: fuck yeah
We ate Chinese and watched avengers. The time we were dreading was fast approaching. It was currently 7:30.
James: I need to go somewhere real quick I'll be back
I ran to Daniels house and let myself in
Missy: what's up Jay?
James: I came to say bye
Missy: what do you mean?
James: I'm going into care and i have to move away
Missy: where?
James: near Manchester
Missy: damn. I'll miss you trouble
James: I'll miss you too. Thank you for everything
Missy: No problem. Go up and see Daniel
I went to Daniels room and knocked on his door
Daniel: yeah
I walked in
James: I have to move away so I'm saying bye
Daniel: moving?
James: yeah I have to live with foster parents and they live near Manchester.
Daniel: so your moving school?
James: probably. I'm gonna see if I can still go to ackley tho. I'll just have to get the train everyday
Daniel: I'll miss you
James: same man
Daniel: talk everyday?
James: for sure. Where's Hayley?
Daniel: out with Razia
James: tell her I said bye
Daniel: sure
James: i should go. My social workers gonna be at mine soon
I went down stairs and Missy gave me a hug.
Missy: your like me little brother you know
James: I know. Tell aaron I said bye
Missy: I will
James: bye Missy
Missy: see ya kiddo
I went back home and Alice was stay there
Alice: your stuff is in the car. Say goodbye and we'll get going. I'll be in the car
We had a group hug and me and Jordan went to the car. Cory watched from the window.
We dropped Jordan off and then we made the journey. There was a lot of traffic so instead of half an hour it was an hour.
Alice: we're here