Dream (Bridges 2)

Visions or Memories Chapter 5

"Yurochka! breakfast! Victor is here," my Dedushka called as I laid in bed. Doesn't Victor have his own house? Why does he insist on eating here most days? It's annoying. As I sat up in my bed groggily, I saw a box wrapped with a bow on top. Today is Trevor's Birthday, but he invited me to come late in the day, so how on earth will I fill the time beforehand? I'd spend this time at Minako's studio in the past, but that's no longer an option. I decided to postpone brushing my teeth since I had yet to eat breakfast and made my way downstairs.

"Why are you here? It's Saturday." I ask

"Ah, straight to the point as always. I figured we'd walk together after breakfast." Victor explained, "You didn't forget, did you?"

"Walk where?"

"Ah, so you did! You see, you asked me to begin driving you and Trevor to school next year, and I said I'd do it if you helped me with tutoring in return. Today is your first day."

As he spoke, I remembered that day JJ had majorly pissed me off, and I wanted to ensure I didn't have to deal with him as much next year. So I asked Victor. I had forgotten his terms. And it's way too late to back out now.

"I still don't get why you'd want my help."

"Whatever could you mean? You're one of the brightest people I know. I could think of no one better."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, I guess, but this still seems like a bad idea."

"Nonsense, you'll do great!"

After we ate, Victor and I began our walk.

"This is gonna be great! I can't wait for you to meet the kids! They are a bright bunch!"

"You're pretty excited, considering you only started volunteering to get a head start on your senior exit." Victor paused for a moment as I spoke

"While you are right, that is the original reason I began tutoring. It's no longer my main reason. You see, Yuri. I'm not that person anymore. I've learned my lesson."

I remembered well who Victor was. You see, cause of his good looks and athletic abilities, everyone wanted to be friends with Victor, so naturally, he chose the worst people he possibly could. He spent his middle school years and most of his freshman and sophomore years as a bully. He and his friends would harass anyone who could be an easy target, women, robotics members, and of course, suspected members of the Lgbt. I know, super cliche. But cliches are based on reality, after all. Victor never participated in his friends' deeds, at least not publicly. His friends were incredibly mean to Trevor and me, not that Victor ever found out. It all came to a head when a member of his class. Alex Hardgrove came out as gay. His life became a living hell. I still remember everything, his house was egged numerous times, and he became an outcast. I'll never forget when I walked past Victor and his friends beating him up. That day changed the way I saw him forever. Alex moved away after his recovery, and 2 of Victor's then-friends ended up doing time. Though it was rumored he was involved, there never was any proof. After all, how could their beloved Victor be a part of such a heinous act? Victor cut ties with them soon after. At the time, I thought he did it for self-preservation, but I wonder if it was regret.

"Yuri. Can you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Don't talk about my past actions. These kids look up to me. I don't want them to know I was the kind of person to just stand by and watch bad things happen."

"Why would I talk to children about that?"

"I don't know, but I know you were there that day."

"What do you mean?"