I'm (Not) Okay!

~ 7 ~

They always do this... bully me into doing things. I've never gotten caught as long as Mason gets what he wants. This time he wants money, supposedly for drugs. Last time it was his phone back and the time before that was a picture of the girls in the changing rooms. I didn't do that one but I got beat up in front of the school and that's when Barbra asked me out. Then they started using her to get to me. 

I begin to walk to my locker as I try and devise a plan on what I should do. 

Half way down the corridor I hear whispers. Fuck! I am about to turn down the corridor when a voice calls me.

"Grayson!" she shouted. Shit.

"Crock?" I say as I turn around.

"What was that out there Dick?" she asks looking at me with worry. I don't think I can trust her anymore. She doesn't know my real identity but we still managed to become friends. 

"Just Mason having a punch at his favourite punching bag" I say back.

"No it wasn't just his punching bag that got hit..." I try and walk away but he hand grabs the arm I cut and pulls me back.

"Ouch!" I cry.

"I'm sorry but dick... Barbra got beat up..."

"Follow me" I say running down the corridor.

"Where are we going?" she asks me.

"Secretary's office." I shout back.

"You're giving him what he wants?!" she shouts

"No... Not exactly."

We reach the secretary's office and there's no one in there.

"Artemis can you keep an eye out and if anyone comes..."

"Distract them?" she finishes my sentence.

"Yea..."

"Okay." She says as I go inside. I immediately go to the draw labelled G.S. no idea what it stands for but I open it. It's unlocked?! Great!

Inside the draw there was a blue money tin. I lift it out and open it. It's locked! God I only have a few minutes before the bell. I rummage around in the desk for the keys when an ear splitting sound rings through the room. At first I think it's an alarm but it's the fire bell. Artemis... she mustn't have been able to distract her enough. I rummage some more until it's where about came to mind.

I turn the money box upside down and there underneath is a key. Sellotaped to the bottom of the tin. I rip it off and open the tin. I take all the money... I can get it back by tomorrow.

I lock the tin put the key back underneath and leave the room. Everyone has just started to come back in so I head off to my first class.

English Literature... I hate it and as if on cue Mason and his gang walk round the corridor with Barbra. She has been crying and there is a slight bruise on her chin. I walk up to them.

"Well...?" Mason asks.

"I have it..." I say.

"So where is it!?" He asks angrily.

"You can have it on one condition..."

"I'll be making the conditions around here, Freak" he spits in my face.

"Yes but this one is a good one." I say back.

"I'm listening" he says.

"You can have all the money if you leave me and Barbra alone..." I say

"Mmmm" he hums.

"Or you can have half the money..."

"Mmmm" he hums again.

"So it's either All of the money and more Drugs or Less money and a Punching bag?" I demand.

"Counter Condition," he says. "Give me all the money and I leave Babes alone... Give me half ill beat the pair of you up!"

"Argh..." I sigh and I give his all of the money.

"That Babes out of the picture," He says as his gang let he go. She run towards me and I embrace her in a hug. "But..."

"But Nothing" I say

"Better make sure he hasn't got any money for himself."

"No!" Barbra cry's but she get punches to the floor as they start to hit me.

I hear Wally in my head. "Give up you pathetic human" a tear slides from my eye as I give up and I close my eyes. I let them punch, kick and spit at me.
"Stop!" said a firm voice. "I said stop!"

The beating stops. And I open my eyes. Artemis... Artemis is in the Grade above and a popular.

"What gives you the right to hit on him?" she screams "Answer me!"

"He... He..."

"He nothing. How would you like it if someone bigger than you did this. Huh? You wouldn't like it."

"N-n-no" Mason stutters. If it's anyone Masons scared of its Artemis.

"Scram!" she screams and Mason and his gang run off faster than a cat from a dog.

The bell for class rings and the corridors become full with people. Barbra sits me up and I just stare at the floor. Tears fill my eyes.

"You okay Grayson?" Artemis asks me.

"Dick," I hear a muffled voice "are you okay?"

No I'm not okay... I need help...

Before anyone can react I slump the floor.

"Someone Get Mrs Denning's!" Artemis Shouts.

"Dick!"

help!