A Modern Love Story

Chapter 18 - Bullying

Criticism spot!

Crutchie's POV

Everyone was mean to me as usual, causing my mental state to deteriorate quicker. By the end of the day I felt completely worn down, and it was clear Race was extremely worried as he stood beside me, waiting for me to get my stuff from my locker. 

"You did really good today," he suddenly said, confusing me. He noticed, smiling kindly. "I mean, you made it through the day. That's amazing," he complimented, causing me to smile the tiniest bit.

"Yeah, great job!" Someone from behind Race said, and I recognized the voice as Oscar's. 

He not only had Morris with him, but also had Johnny and Chance there, too. Johnny and Chance started to fight with Race while Oscar and Morris focused on me, taking me down with ease. Race fought his two attackers off for a bit, but they eventually overpowered him, pinning him to the ground so he couldn't do anything. Oscar held me by the throat against the lockers while Morris kept my arms by my side, both of them smiling.

"We saw you leave that assembly from a bit ago early, and felt bad that you missed the best part!" Oscar began, making me feel sick to my stomach when I realized what was coming. "Well, we got our hands on that 911 call, and thought we should share it."

He pressed his phone up against my ear, and everything around me felt dark when I heard myself screaming. I wasn't even paying attention to what the woman who made the call was saying, only able to hear my own voice screaming in pain and fear, also yelling out for my Mom every few seconds, something I didn't even know I had done.

After the call had ended they threw me to the ground, the four of them leaving. I sat up with my back against the lockers, Race rushing to my side, knowing this had completely destroyed me. Just then, Romeo turned the corner, confused.

"Go find Jack!" Was all Race said, not even greeting him.

"Why can't you?" Romeo spat, staring me down.

"Because I can't leave Crutchie like this, just go find him," Race continued, but Romeo didn't leave, instead walking closer to us.

"Come on, just get over it," he said, pissing Race off and causing me to panic further. 

"That's not how this shit works, go get Jack!" Race ordered, standing up. Romeo grabbed my arm, his hold on me tight.

"Get up," he demanded, trying to drag me.

"Let go of me," I pleaded, fighting against his grip.

"For fucks sake, Crutchie, just get the hell up!" Romeo grew louder, pulling me harder. Race pryed his hands off me, fuming.

"Can you just do one fucking thing for us? Go get Jack!" Race repeated for the millionth time, and finally Romeo did just that, leaving Race and I alone again. He knelt back down beside me, getting even more worried. "Try to calm your breathing," he instructed, hearing how I was desperately attempting to breathe at all.

When Jack showed up Race immediately explained everything that had happened, Jack's face going pale. He sat on the other side of me, taking a moment to figure out how to approach the situation.

"You're okay," he tried, moving a bit closer.

Jack's POV

"I can't breathe," he said, shaking horribly.

"This shit is ridiculous," Romeo spat, rolling his eyes.

"I could- I could hear sounds that the car was making," Crutchie added, my heart shattering. "I was screaming for my Mom-"