The Plant

The accident

Some days later in the gym we were playing ball games. One of the boys on the opposite team was arrogantly showing off and shouting out to his teammates constantly.
"Can you stop pretending that the world is going around you and actually play the game?" Someone in our class yelled.
"No. I'm not going to listen to a person like you who doesn't get it.
Constantly he broke the rules and pushed people away so hard they fell to the ground. On the way back to his side again he pretended that he didn't see and stepped on top of someone still on the ground. One of them was a girl that had just slid on a muddy part of the grass and who clumsily had not gotten back up again before he stepped on her. Where is the coach teacher when you need him?!
I was keeping a distance in the background so I could keep away from that insensitive arrogant monster.
____ was right in front of me seeming like a safe wall for me. But apparently the "monster" saw through him.
"Hey you! Hiding behind someone... that's really weak." He said laughing to his teammates. "I bet she's the weakest of them all. Hahahaha!"
The others on his team hesitated for a moment before they laughed with him. So he uses fear to get people to his side?

"Argh! Stop treating people like shit!" ____ suddenly yelled out and I could hear his voice getting angry. "Stepping on people who are down is really mean!"
"Ah. And you think I care?" The "monster" replied and got closer, constantly staring at me as the next target.
"Hey! Don't get near her," he said.
"Why are you protecting her the entire game? Do you like her or something?" He laughed again which made the others laugh with him.
"That's... that's none of your business! Don't change the subject!!" When they continued to laugh I could see that he snapped. "I'm so sick of people like you!!"
The whole aura of the field seemed to change in an instance as he gathered many soft balls and the plants came out grabbing one each. Now everyone was gasping in surprise and fear. The balls got thrown one by one at a fast speed at "the arrogant monster" who now seemed to look more like a chicken trying to run away. The plant arms grabbed a new and new ball. It seemed like he would almost go too far so I tried to talk to him. But he was so angry his eyes and facial expression was almost scary. Completely gone. And he didn't seem to hear me. It was like he had lost sight of himself.
I grabbed hold around him trying to stop him from going too far. The "monster"... no, "chicken" was already pretty hurt because of the hard throws.
I hold tighter around him, really using up all my strength to hold him back. He pushed me away. But I got back up again.
"You're going too far! Don't become the same as the bullies!" I yelled out loud. I'm sure everyone in the area would have heard this by now. Then I desperately almost whispered in exhaustion "don't become someone who I would hate..."
With these words I saw him slowly coming back to normal turning around to look at me. "Hate? You would hate me?" He asked worried.
"No. Not exactly hate but... dislike maybe..."
He still seemed worried but somehow a relieved smile came to his face. He looked around noticing how far he had gone. His face changed completely. He fell on his knees.
"No! No. No. No. No. no. What have I done?" He just couldn't understand how he had been so blind.
"It's okay. Don't overthink this. We will get through it."
"All the rumours... they are going to spread like wildfires..."
"I know but still. It will be fine" I said trying my best to cheer him up. Stroking his back again and again.

People were now all over the place when I dragged him back to his feet. Some were scared and confused. I went side by side with him to the building. We separated into each of the changing rooms. I changed as fast as I could and waited for him to come out of the boy's changing room. But he didn't seem to come out. I asked a boy if he was still in there too. He just nodded and ran away clearly wanting to avoid any conflict.
I couldn't blame him for being afraid after what happened. And they probably wonder how I'm not afraid at all. If they all just knew it would have been so much easier.
I began to wonder if he would ever come out. I was considering walking in to check. But there could be other guys changing in there too. So I couldn't take the chance.
Right when I thought "I'm going in." I nearly crashed into him.
"Hey. You're still here? Did you wait long?"
"Uhm...yes. I was just waiting for you... for an hour" I said and looked at the clock.
"Oh. Sorry. I didn't know."
"It's okay. Don't worry about it."
"I'm amazed. You really want to help me through everything. Even after I nearly became a monster myself."
"Of course." I said. Then I laughed. "You're my personal healer, right?"
"Yeah. Sure. But that doesn't change the fact that I actually hurt someone badly this time. I'm not sure how to face people after this."
Then I got an apology plan.
"What if you apologise in front of the whole class? Explaining it to them so they would have the chance to understand?"
"I'm not so sure about that or anything right now. I just want home."
"Oh... I see..." I wasn't quite sure what to say or do myself. But I felt like I couldn't give up on it either.

We went on our road home without saying anything except for barely a good bye when the road differed in each direction. This doesn't feel good. I hope he's okay.