The Only Hope For Me Is You

The bell FINALLY rings and school ends. Everyone stands up and collectively gathers their things together. I do the same. I can feel my heart pounding so hard inside my chest that I swear the any one close enough to me can hear it. I let my eyes flicker over to Mr. Way just for the heck of it, and notice that he’s staring at me…again…
“It’s okay Frank, you’re okay. Just breathe.” I tell myself in my mind. There was something so unsettling about his entire situation, something so incredibly wrong, yet it also just felt so freaking right. I leave the art room, unsure of anything that might happen next.
The hallways are flooded when I enter them. People shoving me left and right made me mad. I could technically just say that I went to my locker, but not really go to it.By the time I get there and back in this herd, it’ll be like me going to my locker at a ‘traffic free’ time.
I take a deep breath and patiently weave my way in and out of the crowds. An unexpected and unpleasant sight awaits me at my locker though, and as soon as I saw the “it” standing there, I felt like throwing up. It was the leader of the group of asshole seniors that like to beat the shit out of me. He’s just standing there with his arms crossed, and smiling directly at me.
I stop dead in my tracks. This CANNOT be good. “Heeeyyy Frankie‼!” He shouts over the loud voices of students that occupy the hallways. It was like he was mocking me with that tone. I glared at him and took a foolish step forward. “So, like, what’s new buddy? How are you?” Oh my freaking God, what is happening? “Are you feeling okay?” I ask him. I watch him carefully, making sure not to flicker my eyes away for even a second for fear of him turning on me and dragging me over and tossing me into a garbage can. He’s frowning now. “Okay cut the crap Frank. Why have I been hearing rumors that you asked my girl out?”
WHAT!? oh no… I start to panic inside. The sudden urge to burst out in big juicy tears was almost unbearable. But if I burst out crying then he’ll think I have something to hide-which I don’t-I have no idea what he’s talking about. “I…um… I don’t know wh, who you’re getting this information from but people say shit, that’s why it’s called a RUMOR.” I tried to make the word ‘rumor’ sound loud, and I annunciated it.
Standing here was painful and I thought about what Mr. Way said when I first met him today, he said that I’m the “emo kid” that every-one is talking about. Of freaking course, this jerk just had to be fed these lies. I fear for my life right now. A minute or two goes by and he stands, glaring the hell out of me, and I stand frozen in terror. The last school bell of the day goes off and I jump at the opportunity to escape this drama madness. I try to turn and leave but….
It happens all too fast, I feel a hand take hold of my backpack from behind and it slams me against the wall of lockers. I scream and try taking off but before I’m able to take a step, he takes his hand and death-grips my throat. The little breath that I had left in me before this all happened, is now gone. “Maybe…I’m hoping that this will teach you to stay away from my girl.” He says.
I look into his eyes, the hurts bleeds from them. He’s angry as hell, even scared himself and that makes me fear for my life even more because hurt people, hurt people. Right now, there’s no telling what he’ll do to me, thinking that I actually tried that on his girlfriend.
Black fuzzed around my vision and I tried screaming but it just wasn’t possible. Somewhere in the mix of all the white noise and thoughts in my head, I could faintly hear the cry of students who were all watching this happen. “Do something! Please!” I thought. This is it, the ending of me. Why though? Because of a stupid rumor? I flailed my arms, even slapped him with the little strength that hadn’t drained out of me yet. Nothing…
“HEY LET HIM GO CALEB‼‼!” A familiar voice took hold of this situation and before I knew it I was released and fell onto the floor. I gasped for air. It invaded my lungs with a smile. Tears were now streaming down my face and I can’t control it. “FOLLOW MR. CASTRO TO THE PRICIPAL’S OFFICE….NOW‼‼!” I heard the familiar voice say again. “Oh my God Frank, are you okay?” I look up and see Mr. Way practically crying himself. He’s crouched down next to me.
“I’m…definitely….not okay.” I manage to say, but regret it as soon as it came out. If I tell him I’m not okay then he’ll probably insist that I’m taken to a hospital and I swear to god that I don’t want to go there right now. That would be the worst thing for me, especially since I don’t have insurance and therefore can’t afford it. “Actually…” I stand up and try to straighten my posture. “I’m feeling just fine.” He stands up as well and smiles. “Come with me.” Without a second thought I followed him across the now empty hallway and back into the art room.

Notes