the sweet boy

Maybe

The boy's body faltered as he ran. He felt the coldness of the sweat coat his body pouring out every pore of his. He paused, resting his hands on his knees with his head bobbing up and down from being out of breath. "Indigo you can't keep pausing, you have to keep up." Mrs. Cassio said. "Mrs.Cassio, with all due respect I have acute asthma, this is the most I can run at a time." He wheezed out.

His head looked down at his brown dirty shoes. He hasn't cleaned them since the day he got them. He can remember each stain and the pictures that come with them. The bloodstain that sat on his laces and the front of the shoe made him wince from the memory. I should get some new ones.

He lifted up and began running again seeing that the rest of his class had already finished. 

He sluggishly trailed along as he continued trying to keep his body from falling face down on the floor. The aching was unbearable but he wanted to push until there was none left.

In the bleachers sat some of the seniors and kids from practice. He could feel their eyes observe him pathetically attempting to run. One group in particular being the group that Antinous hangs out with. He's rarely messed with by them but once in a while they say something, anything.

"Hey, if you can make it without passing out, maybe you aren't a girl after all." Bryant yelled. He was a friend of Antinous; they were one in the same except Bryant was older than them. He was on the lacrosse team, and they are state champions so he felt he had the right to be pretentious. Moreover his family is big in pharmaceuticals, so he supplies half the school's druggies, stoners, and anyone curious with pills. This includes some teachers even, from what he knows of the principal included.

His hand lazily rose to form the middle finger.

He finally made it toward the class, his steps slowing as he approached them. A girl lifted him up, helping him stand looking like he was about to pass out from exhaustion. He smiled acknowledging that he really finished. It was enough to know that he could, seldom did he find success in sports so he was excited.

"Good job Indigo," "Oh my god, I'm so surprised. good work.", "Look at my buddy "In" growing up" Some of his classmates voiced with laughter.

"Stop, stop, stop please huuh," he closed his eyes in fake agony. "Alright let's go back inside, Emily take indigo to the nurse.". Her arm wrapped around his upper chest as they walked in the hallway. "I've never seen you run that far before, you did so well." her voice hummed as they walked. Emily was very sweet, and she made sure to show. He was sure half of his entire 11th grade class had a crush on her, but he saw her as more of a friend or family hince the blonde hair color they share.

"Thank you for taking me to the nurse but you can go to class now," his limping made it evident to her not too though. "So, why did you try to run today? Last year you sat out, what's different?" Her eyes scanned the boy's face for an answer. "I wanted to test myself, I never really have given it my all. I'm really trying to build up my lungs.", he said, scratching the back of his neck. "I have really weak lungs for a kid my age." He confided.

Before they could continue Antinous entered their line of vision as he came out the door beside the hallway. He turned to face the two looking into Indigo's directly intensely. "Hey indigo, how's the face? You had a pretty bad fall from the last time I saw you." Antinous seethed through his teeth. "You really fucked up my shoes. I would ask you to pay up but I don't even think you could put a down payment on it." He slowly approached the two with his hand in pocket slouching over.

"It's a bit bruised up but still prettier than you, I must admit I feel I was doing you a favor." He patted Emily to continue walking. "Has anyone ever told you just because it's expensive doesn't mean it looks good." He retorted.

"Funny", He huffed in response. "I want an apology, is all." Antinous pulled on his collar, jerking him from the girl's arm. He hopped on his one leg trying to keep balance,  looking towards Antinous with a calm demeanor. He stood to push him back but Emily grabbed him by his arm before he could.

""HEYY, STOP, he's hurt." she stated, straining her vocal cords. Her arms draped around his small frame holding him up carefully. Antinous stared at the two in an undecided look. "I don't know what you girls see in this pathetic cretin. He wears the same shit every week and somehow you don't find this the least bit unattractive." His voice was low, filled with a chilling anger.

"Look Antinous I don't know what's your problem but for today can you please leave him be, His ankle is really overworked and he shouldn't be standing for this long." Emily pleaded with him.

I'm so sorry Emily, you didn't need to get involved in this...

He let go of Emily deciding it was better to continue walking on his own. "Look Emily, go back to class before this period ends. I got the rest of the way, thanks." He said, smiling warmly before walking away.

"HEY! You're not leaving until I receive that apology." When Antinous was angry this red cast always covered his face down to his neck that looked demonic.

Indigo continued to limp forward ignoring Antinous yells of demands. "The biggest waste of my time to ever exist, to date", He mumbled under his breath. The thumping of feet rapidly got faster until he heard the rubber sole of a shoe stop with a high pitched screech.

The wind that wisped past the infamous boy wooshed the blonde's hair with a slight lift in his halt. He waited for the anticipation of being hit to be satisfied with impact.

Fuck... 

Antinous pushed his body towards the ground and in quick succession he lifted his leg to stomp on the boy's ankles with the weight of his body. Indigo's body recoiled into a ball he could feel the pain gathering on foot and the seeping of tears from his eyes. Antinous bit his lip in pleasure, but the sense of regret nibbled away at the back of his head.

Emily's body stood frozen from the scene happening before her. She wanted to intervene but Antinous was bigger and stronger than her. What could she do?