The Last Chance Book 2

Chapter 26

TW: Violence, blood, weapons, ptsd, injuries

" I was extremely anxious. It was my first day at my new school and I was about to meet my roommate. I remember seeing an energetic person that looked my age come into the office and start asking where there new roommate was. It was Nat. When he turned around and saw me he got so excited. It was a little weird because I couldn't understand why someone would be excited to see me. He had grabbed my suitcase and started to show me the way to our room. When we got inside I was shocked because he had a pride flag. I was so happy to know that he's apart of the lgbtq community. So when he asked me I said that I was apart of it as well. He was happy to hear that and it was shocking. We started to talk about things that we liked and we connected. Before we left the room Nat started to call us the jelly gang. When it was lunch I was extremely nervous to meet everyone else and Nat just kept comforting me and saying that they're all really nice. And they were. However I kept taking to them like they were all my age cause that's what I thought. When I found out that they weren't my mind just immediately took me back to the past. I was so scared that I was going to get punished that I excused my self and quickly walked towards the bathroom and locked myself into the large stall. I starting to have an extremely hard time telling the past from the present. In my mind I was back at my school and it was like I was hiding from Nate and the others. So when I herd someone tell me to unlock the stall I immediately did it and backed away quickly.  I kept begging for the person to not hurt me and that I'm sorry. They kept telling me that it's ok and to take a deep breath in and then out. When I was calmed down enough I wiped the tears from my eyes and saw that it was Hia Zee. I got scared  and upset that he just saw me like that cause I thought he was going to not want to be friends with me but instead he pulled me into a hug "
" After that when did you feel the most worried "
" It was when I had to show my scars for the first time. I knew that I needed to show people at stone point especially at that time because I was overheating so much. But I was so terrified that they would be disgusted by me. When P'Max offered to show his scars with me I didn't want to do it for a while but he looked at me with this look that just made me believe him and trust him. When he was showing his scar I could see his hands shaking and that's when I knew he felt the same way as I did with my scars. When it was my turn I just remember looking at P'Max and he was looking at me the same way he was before showing his scar so I slowly moved away from Hia Zee and showed my scars. I remember being so relieved to show people my scars but at the same time terrified and worried because I felt like I was getting to close to them "
" Did you not want to get to close to them "
" For a long time I was worried about Nate coming and hurting me.  It as I got closer and closer with everyone that fear changed into Nate finding him and hurting my friends in front of me because they were helping me and being kind to me "
" Can you tell me about the day before the incident at the beach "
" We all went to the little shops so we can look around and buy things. One of the shops we first went to was a crystal shop and I got excited to look around. When I saw Nat looking at the Amethyst I went over to him and told him that the amethysts crystal is supposed to help you heal. So he wanted to get one as a bracelet. I told him I would get one for him and I bought one for myself as well. The rest of the day we spent walking around the shops. After that we went to the water and all started to play in the ocean together "
" How did you feel that day "
" Like maybe just maybe I can let down my guard and stop worrying about the past "
" When you went back to the school after the incident what happened "
" The first day back I just remember feeling so angry at myself. It was the first time I really got to See P'Max wound and Nat's injuries. I was blaming myself and then when me P'Max and Nat all went back to the office I wanted to leave because I was angry and upset. I didn't want to hear anything about the incident at the beach because it's all everyone had been talking about. I just got so upset that I ran off. I didn't even know where I was going but I made it outside of the school and over towards another small building. I remember just falling to the cement ground and screaming just trying to calm myself down. I started to hit the ground over and over again with my fist trying to calm myself down. I didn't stop until Hia Zee pulled my arm. I just started shouting how I hate that I make everyone so worried for me, that it's my fault P'Max and Nat got hurt. That I can't be alone for a second because people are so scared something would happen to me. The entire time Hia Zee kept telling me they worry that I'll get hurt and worry because they care. I didn't understand what he meant by get hurt because how could I get hurt if Nate and the others were in custody. It's only then that Hia Zee said he's afraid of me hurting myself like I did. I didn't even notice that my hands were cut up, bruised and bloody "
" Can you tell us when you saw the second video that got released "
" I was on the way to one of my last classes when several people started whispering about me and saying things that they shouldn't have known unless they were back outside of the school and watching the incident happening. I only found out what happened when a girl named Emi came over to me and told me about the video "
" How did you feel "
" When I pulled my phone out and saw the video I was horrified. Here is this video that everyone said was deleted, now all over social media. When I looked back up I saw everyone around me looking at me with pity and concern. So I just started running and ignoring the people who stare at me. I just ran as fast as I could in order to get someone else. I knew I was about to go into a really bad anxiety attack so I ran to somewhere that I knew Hia Zee could find me. I ran to the same place that I did when we first returned back to school "
" What did you do when you reached there "
" I fell to the ground and pulled myself against the wall. I pulled out my phone and kept re watching the video and listening to my screams. I watched it over and over and over again. At some point I threw my phone on to the ground completely shattering it. You could still hear the sound of my screams on the phone and it only made things worse. I felt like it was a nightmare because even the police had said that the video was gone and deleted. I kept screaming at myself to wake up. I kept saying things like wake the fuck up NuNew and Wake up you fucking idiot this isn't real. I just didn't want to believe it. I had spent so long thinking that video was gone "
" What about when you came back home to Bangkok. How did you feel "
" If I'm honest. Bangkok doesn't really have any good memories for me. So it's hard to come back here. The only good things about coming back was getting to see my parents and Mrs.Betty "
" How did you feel when you saw that the media was waiting outside of your house all the time "
" I was upset and scared. I knew immediately who did it and it made me so angry. At the same time I was scared that someone was going to break in and hurt me or the people I care about "
" Who did it and how did you know "
" There was only one other person who wasn't in custody and hated me enough to release my address to the media and that's Noah. Just the night before he had seen that I was home. The next morning when I woke up the media was there outside of my house. Noah had even sent me a message saying that he hoped I enjoyed his welcome home gift "
" Why did you try to charge Noah with anything "
" Because up until the trial I had only thought that he had told a few friends my sexuality. I never knew Nate was hurting people for money. I never knew that Noah told Nate my name for just $300. I never knew any of it "
" How do you feel now that you know "
" I'm so pissed at him. I can get if he hates me because I'm gay and used to have a small crush on him. However how could he do that to me. We have known each other most of our lives and used to be best friends. And he just gives my name to Nate knowingly putting me in danger for just $300. How could he do that to me. How could he do it to anyone "
" What about Eddie. How did you feel when you found out about what he had done and him liking you " Mrs.T asked. He looks directly at Eddie.
" I was disgusted and I wanted to throw up by knowing he was doing that to me "
" You don't mea- "
" Yes I do Eddie!! It's fucking disgusting to know that someone stalked me wherever I went! You were the one to give Nate my address! You have like hundreds of photos of me! You even have photos of me at my new school! Videos as well. You are the reason as to why Nate found me again and hurt my friends! Why would you do that to someone you had a crush on! Just fucking confess to me instead of doing what you did! Not to mention you literally said you wanted to kill my boyfriend! Who by the way is so much better then you could ever be! Unlike you he keeps me safe and helps me calm down when I'm scared or angry. Unlike you he isn't a stalker or crazy " he shouts angrily.
" NuNew please calm down " the judge said.
" Sorry judge "
" Mrs.T please continue asking the questions "
" Since moving schools how have you been "
" A lot better then how I was at my old school. Even though I often have panic attacks and get anxiety I actually have friends and a boyfriend who can help me calm down. No one at that school bullies me at all. All the students there are kind. All of the teachers I have actually check up on me and are kind to me as well. I don't feel isolated and alone when I'm at that school "
" How did you feel in general when you went to your old school "
" Besides feeling isolated and alone I started believing whatever they said about me and I just didn't want to be here anymore because I was constantly in pain and just wanted everything to stop "
" Why did you start to believe them and what did they say "
" When you have several people telling you the same things everyday you begin to think that it's true. They would tell me things like I'm disgusting, I'm unworthy of love and that I'm a waste of space "
" Sometimes I do. There are times where I just have horrible days and on those days I just think about how there's people who give me so much love even after everything and knowing what I've been through. I don't feel worthy of their love on those days because I can't even trust myself to give them the same amount of love that they give me. Because I let myself love other people and have them close to me but in the back of my head I'm always afraid that Nate is going to come and hurt them "
" What about on the good days. How does it feel then "
" It honestly feels weird to have so many people love me but at the same time it makes me really happy because I know that they care for me and love me. I know that they would protect me and help me if they see me having trouble "
" Why does it feel weird "
" Even if my parents had still shown me love during everything. I still felt like I was loved by no one and I never had anyone treat me kindly or be nice to me. After waking up in the hospital for the last time it's like the whole world changed. So many people were kind to me and I could see how much my parents loved me. It's the same with meeting everyone at my new school. They treated me with so much kindness from the very beginning of us meeting each other "
" What do you want to happen to Nate and the others. How do you want them to be punished "
" I want them to be locked in prison for the rest of their lives. They're all crazy and if they can do this to me. What's stopping them from doing this to other people. I don't want them to be able to hurt anyone else. I especially don't want them to be able to cause as much pain and trauma as they did to me on someone else. Knowing that they made Nat feel similar to how I feel. Makes me so pissed off and angry. They need to be in prison for the rest of their lives "
" If they go to prison for the rest of their lives what do you think will happen "
" Only then can I even begins to start recovering again. I don't think I can recover unless they go to prison for the rest of their lives. I don't think Nat can start to get help with his ptsd until they are in prison for the rest of their lives. I think that if they go to prison for the rest of their lives then everyone effected by this can finally start to heal. Because it's not just me who's effected by this. It's me, Nat, P'Max, my parents, Mrs.Betty, Hia Zee, P'Jimmy, P'Tommy, P'Net and P'James "
" Thank you NuNew. Judge I'm done questioning NuNew "
" NuNew can you please leave the stand and go back to your seat "
He nods his head and stands up. When he's walking back to his seat he hears Nate say " You'll never be able to fully recover. You or your friend Nat ". He turns to look at Nate. " Keep his name out of your rotten mouth you asshole " he says angrily. Nate just laughs as the guards make him go back to his seat. Once he sits down Nat grabs his hand and gently squeezes it to calm him down.
" Attorney please say your closing statement ".
He watches as Mrs.T walks over to the jury before turning to point to him, Max and Nat.
" I want you all to look at those three boys sitting over there. One was stabbed. One was beaten up so bad he passed out and now has ptsd. The last one is covered in scars, was almost murdered, had to see his worst fear happen, and see the same people who tried to murder him try to murder his best friend. These three boys have to live with scars. Both mentally and physically " She says before pointing to Nate and the others. " Now I'd like for you all to them. They have inflicted so much pain and suffering on to NuNew. As well as Nat. Expressing that they had planned to kill the two of them. Not just showing but saying that they would try again if ever given the chance. They show that they have no remorse for what they have done. So I beg you jury, please help NuNew, Max and Nat to recover. Put Nate, Tyler, Jack and Eddie behind bars for the rest of their life. So that they can't hurt them again and so they can't hurt anyone else " Mrs.T says before walking back to the table Mrs.F is at. " That is all judge "
" Thank you attorney " The judge says before turning to the jury. " At this time I would like the jury to head into the back room and to deliberate on what punishment to give " the judge says.
He watches as the jury leaves the room and heads into a smaller one. Once the door is closed the judge looks towards him and says " NuNew, now is the time to say what you want to ". He nods before standing up and taking a piece of paper out of his pockets. He turns to look at Nate and the others. " You all have tortured and hurt me for so long. You have almost killed me and tried to kill me again and tried to kill Nat. You have stabbed my best friend P'Max. You have covered my body in scars and burns. You might have thought that you won because of the amount of suffering you have caused me. But that's far from the truth. No amount of trauma can stop me from loving others. No amount of trauma can stop me from recovering. I refuse to let what you put me through ruin me life. I have my family, Hia Zee, my friends, Mrs.Betty and thousands of people who support me and are encouraging me to recover. While you all have no one on your side to help or encourage you. No one will ever support you while I will have constant support. That alone proves that I have won the so called game you had forced me to play. And I will continue to win this game against the four of you by using my trauma to help others who have gone through something similar to what you put me through. I will speak up against people who bully others. I will help those who are getting bullied and I will even stand up and speak about the lgbtq. I will utilize what you have put me through in order to help people. Because I am far more better then you. Unlike you all I have a heart that will give people support and encouragement to get over their hard times. I have won against you Nate. I am now the one who has the upper hand " he says the last part looking directly at Nate.
Just as he finishes the jury comes back in to the room.
" Have you finished deliberating already " the judge asked. " Yes we have judge " one of the jury members said. " Very well. Everyone please stand as we read off the punishment " The judge said. He turns to Nat and grabs on to his hand. They make eye contact for a short moment.
This is the moment that he has waited for so long. The moment he has worked so hard for. He's about to find out what they are going to be punished with.
" Go ahead and read off what your punishments are "
" We the jury have carefully went over all the evidence and have seen the amount of harm and trauma that Nate, Tyler, Jack and Eddie have caused NuNew, Max and Nat. We have also carefully watched the actions of them all. After coming together and talking about what punishments to give Nate, Tyler, Jack and Eddie. We have decided to convict them on all charges and send them to prison for life without parole ".
Once they say that Nate and the others are getting life in prison without parole, him and Nat immediately hug each other tightly as they start to cry.
" Very well. The four of them shall be sent to prison. Guards take them out of the room "
He can feel his body start to feel lighter. Like he can finally breath for the first time in years. He feels so relieved to know that they won't ever get out of prison. He won't be able to hurt him or anyone he cares about again. He can finally feel safe. He knows that Nat will be safe now.
Him and Nat only stop hugging when they head the judge call them.
" NuNew and Nat " the judge says making them turn to look at him. He wipes away his tears. " The journey to recovery is a long and tough one. So make sure to stay by each other's side and to never give up " the judge says and they both say " Yes judge " at the same time. Once the judge gets up and leaves the room, Max's father guides them back into the small room. Mrs.T and Mrs.F follow behind them. Closing the door once everyone is inside.
He turns to Mrs.T , Mrs.F and Max's father and says " Thank you guys so much. It feels like I can finally breath. Thank you so much for helping me put them in prison. That you ". The three of them smile at him. " Thank you for being so strong during these past three days. I know that they were really rough on you " Mrs.F says. He smiles at her. " It was really hard but it was worth it in order to put them in prison " he says smiling. " I want to thank you guys as well. You guys have worked hard in order to help all of us. So thank you. Nat and NuNew will be able to feel safe now thank to you " Max says smiling. " No need to thank us anymore. You guys should go see everyone else " Mrs.F says. He smiles before looking at Max and Nat " Let's go! I wanna go see them " he said excitedly making everyone laugh. Him and Nat head out of the room. When he sees Zee and they make eye contact he starts to run to him. Once he reaches Zee he jumps on him. Luckily Zee catches him. He wraps his arms and legs around him. " We did it! Hia we won " he says shouting excitedly. Zee laughs and says " You did such an amazing job I'm proud of you baby. You can finally feel safe now ". He smiles. " I feel like I can finally breath for the first time in years " he says as Zee gently sets him on the floor. " You already seem like you are starting to become like your past self before everything he hears his mother say. He quickly looks over to her and smiles. He walks over to her and hugs her tightly. " I love you mom. I love you so much " he says as a few tears stream down his face. When she pulls away she wipes his tears away. " I love you to NuNew " his mother says. " Is everyone still up for an interview " he hears Max's father ask. So he turns around and looks at him before saying " I definitely am. Especially after what just happened because it's proof for other bullying victims that things can get better. No matter how horrible it was ". Max's father smiles. " I like that you are thinking like that NuNew. There's a large room with a stage that has a table set up. The media wants all of you guys to do the interview with NuNew if that's ok ". He looks at everyone and sees them agreeing. Even Mrs.Betty. " Ok them everyone follow me this way please " Max's father says. So everyone does. He stays behind and waits for Mrs.Betty. He walks next to her and grabs her hand.

Word Count: 4132

It will get better with time. This is a lesson that I have learned myself. So please keep fighting if you are going through anything difficult in your life. You are so much stronger than you realize