The Vigilante

Chapter 2

    The atmosphere in class was intense. Everybody's attention was towards the teacher who walked past everyone handing their all of our test results. Groans and small cheers were heard, but I just stayed motionless. The test was too easy for me. Math; statistics to be exact. The teachers made a mistake that brought down my hopes until they announced that it was alright. But I still showed no emotion until the teacher walked towards me with a smirk. A smile slowly started to appear on my face, knowing that she's silently telling me that I have the highest mark in class.
    "Alex Jamie..", was all she said before placing my test paper in front of me. A+ just as I expected and all the students in class turned towards me impressed, wondering how the test was a child splay for me while they were struggling. I'm not new in school, I'm just new among these students. They are a lot different to my last class from last school year. Unlike that group who always adored me for my math skills, some of these just rolled their eyes at me, hating that I barely had to do anything. That was nowhere near my expectations.
    I'm like the teacher's pet when it comes to math only. The others are all 'commenting' me by my looks or the constant shenanigans with my hair. So I decided to let it go, make it seem less that I try hard. I've become just a normal individual in class. The one that mattered the least at the back of the class, the one no one notices. I've surprised myself by being busy with homework when everyone has a good time. I still have two of my friends from last year who I share all of my classes with. But even them have been taken in the popular group in class, led by the one and only Calum Hood.

    "Alex come on, they're playing a game !", Aria called from among the populars. I could feel them all glaring at me before I even moved a muscle to look up. Aria wasn't aware and Zoe didn't even have a clue. I have been impressive so far in hiding my emotions and kept up a very good act.
   "I'm good, I still have a lot of work to do." I pushed my reading glasses up my nose and continued my work. The teacher was busy correcting test papers, requesting the students to tone it down as they did something for themselves. The populars pay a game of guessing what song they were humming, one that I love to play when nothing thrills me. They were no talented singers, just in their heads. I'm not one to judge. I guessed every song right. From Enrique Iglesias to Kevin Rudolph. I can already see myself humming an All Time Low song and they would've looked confused and strange at me. They listen to music but they don't open up their world of music that much.
    As always after math, I waited for Aria and Zoe to come out as Vanessa joined me a few seconds after coming out of biology class. Vanessa knows about my lack of interference with the populars but I haven't allowed her to tell Zoe and Aria. Pity is not my biggest concern. I'm a tough nut that I myself don't understand either.

    There was commotion in the hallway making me and my friends rush to the scene. A fellow nerd friend of mine, Luke Hemmings, was being pushed against the lockers. I listened in, realising that he just accidently bumped into my classmate, Brooke. The poor guy was trembling, not daring to look into Jake's eyes. Although he was giant compared to Jake, he was still able to get under his skin. The other students, victims of bullying in school scurried to the back while all the other ones requested a front seat to see all the action. Calum was smirking, leaning on his side against the locker, intimidating Luke. He crossed his arms over his chest , allowing his varsity jacket to cover his white T-shirt.
    When all was over, I rushed to Luke, crouching down beside him. He looked down, too numb to move. I put my hand on his shoulder, comforting him. He looked up, but dropped his head again leaning his head against the locker and covering his face with his hands.
    "Hey don't beat yourself up because of them everyday..I know how it feels okay..," I comforted but he just sighs.
    "It's not easy walking around schools being good in class without them judging you," he admitted looking ahead of him.
    "Tell me about it..but don't worry about these things okay ? Once we graduate this will be over.."
    "What about college ?"
    "That still has to happen, but don't look too far or back, just focus on what you're passionate about and leave the rest out..you'll be fine.."
    After Luke got himself together we walked each other home along with Zoe, Vanessa and Aria. I know being bullied is a tough phase to go through in school, but somewhere somehow there is somebody who will stand up against the bullies for us. I know it will happen..just not now. I don't know that..