No one cares || Dnf

27. It doesn't help

George POV

"Leave me alone", I said annoyed, rolling my eyes when Clays friends appeared behind me at lunch.
"Ouh, George, you're so dumb", one of them said while patting my head.
"Fuck off", I groaned while turning around and slapping his hand away.
"Uhhhhh~", all of them said.
"Don't be so cheeky little one", Clay said.
"Little one? Why don't you eat instead of wasting your time with me, huh?", I stood up and looked him deep in the eyes. Wow, I had really changed. In the past, I would not have dared to do this in 100 years.

"Better keep your mouth shut, otherwise things will be ugly here", Clay threatened while he grabbed the back of my hair and pulled it back. Then he pushed me back and laughed. While I was rubbing my head because the pulling hurt a bit, I slowly sat down again and tried to devote myself to my food. That was when I felt a hand grabbing my shoulder.

"Later you will pay for your cheeky mouth and hopefully it will be driven out of you quickly", a voice said.
"Yeah, yeah, I know my daily routine, thank you", I waved my hand. Then he let go of my shoulder and hit me hard on the back of the head. That actually hurt really bad but I tried to suppress the pain and continued eating. All I heard after that was the group laughing and walking back to their table.

"George", I suddenly heard a voice beside me. Nick. He looked at me with a weak smile.
"What do you want?", I said expressionless, not looking at him.
"Are you okay?", he asked worried.
"I am absolutely fine, what makes you think that I'd not be?", I looked at him.
"George, something broke in you, I can see that", he reached his hand for me, but I slapped it away.
"Leave. Me. Alone", I said in a threatening tone. Now his look was getting angry and annoyed.
"Okay, George, I just want to help you. As your friend. But when you-", I cut him off.
"Friend? Who ever said that?", I looked at him provocatively. Now his expression was sad.

"Okay", he just said coldly and left my table too.
I didn't want that, but like I said, it made everything easier. Lessons went as usual, and everything as usual after school as well. Clay's group was waiting for me at the exit and took me behind the school. Nick wasn't there, but I saw him meet Karl.
The beatings still hurt, but I no longer whined or cried. I just let it go and let them push me against the wall and beat me.

However, they noticed my change quickly and stopped briefly on Clay's command.
"What's up, huh?", he said in a provocative voice.
"Nothing", I looked him dead in the eyes. Then he gave me a hard punch into my stomach. But this pain was so strong that I couldn't help but whimper. When all of them laughed, I fell down to the ground and pressed my hand on my stomach.

Clay kneed down to me and lifted my chin up. I looked pleadingly into his eyes with my bleeding face. He looked me up and down, then widened his eyes before pinching them together. He looked away and pushed me aggressively against the wall what caused me to cough. He stood up and looked down to me forming a smirk over his lips.

"Enough", I said weakly with another cough.
"Hmm, no", Clay said.
I couldn't anymore, I couldn't feel my body anymore and was totally exhausted. Then for a few more minutes they continued with the punches and kicks until I thought I had reached my limit. Then Clay let go of me to the ground and they disappeared around the corner.

I slowly open my eyes and tried to get up.
"Psst!", I heard someone saying near me. I looked around and then saw Nick and Karl coming out from behind the bushes.
"It's fine", Nick said with a smile. He knelt down next to me and helped me up by my arms. Karl stood by and looked at me pityingly. I smiled at him while I tried to find my hold.

"Come with us", Nick said and slowly pushed me forwards.
I just didn't say anything and went with them. We went to Nick's car and I got in too. We drove to Nick's house and went inside. The both guys sat on the couch and I sat across from them in a chair. Then I looked confused at them and raised my eyebrows.

"Talk. With. Clay", Nick said clearly.
"Why should I? It won't do me any good!", I almost yelled.
"Why not?!"
I propped my head on my hand, which was resting on the armrest of the chair.
"Don't you see it? Don't you notice it? Clay likes you! He really likes you! Something must have happened that will make him forget. Therefore this feeling back and forth!"
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"I want to forget that too", I said.

"What?", Nick eventually said. Karl started rubbing circles on Nick's back and rested his head on his shoulder. He looked tired. Nick turned his head to face Karl, smiled slightly and stroked his head.
"You're a cute couple", I mentioned with a weak smile. Then Nick looked at me again, tilted his head a little and gave me a small smile in return.
"Who wants to drink something?", he asked, slapping his thigh.
"Me please", Karl muttered with his eyes almost closed.
"George?", Nick looked at me expectantly.
"No, thank you. I'd go then", I said.
"Geor-", Nick began but I was already out of the door.

I spent the rest of the day sleeping, which was good for me now.

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~983 words~