Divided

- Chapter Twenty Three -

After Hannah confessed the footy night scandal to Tobias he was speechless, he comforted Hannah until she had to go home. Once she left, he thought to himself about Tia, about the way his mates treated Tia and about Tia's dad. It was a lot to take it. 

The next morning Tobias woke up and got ready for school. As he walked through the gates he felt an unusual feeling, something was off. Everything seemed normal though? It was as if being within a close proximity with his fellow classmates was the problem. As Tobias walked into the gates he walked past Jamie, who was busy talking to Dekree. Tobias was not sure why but walking past Jamie made him feel angry. He did not like that Jamie had been so rancorous to Tia. He knew it was not okay. Tobias was not sure whether or not Jamie had intended to greet him as they passed by each other, because he refused to look in Jamie's general direction. 

The bell siren went, signalling the start of Tobias' first class, and the first thing he had was agriculture. As Tobias made his way down to the farm section of the school, he saw Tia walking a fair amount ahead of him down to the class. As soon as he saw her, all the things Hannah had told him the night before had set in. The detestation between Tia and Jamie, the way Tobias himself had treated her without knowing the full story but most importantly, the fact that Tia's neglectful father was on the loose and she had no idea.

Tobias took his time getting to class, stopping to talk to fellow peers and get a drink of water along the way. When he walked into the class the first thing he noticed was Jamie and Jordie snickering amongst themselves in the corner of the room. He turned his focus to the middle of the room, where Tia was sitting alone and scribbling on a piece of paper that was situated on her desk. Rather than going to his usual desk, Tobias sat down at the vacant seat that was next to Tia.

"This spot taken?" He joked, in a way the joke felt harmful after Tobias thought about it for a moment, now that he knew how bad the bullying was - he felt like he had to walk on eggshells and bite his tongue with certain comments. 

"Not you asking if a seat that no one has sat in this entire year is taken..." Tia chuckled, and with that Tobias sat down.

The teacher started the class and it went by fairly quick for both Tobias and Tia. The siren sounded to signal the end of class and Tobias waved off to Tia.

"Do you want to walk to class together?" Tia asked. 

"I would but - I promised that I would help on the farm during period 2." Tobias replied.

That was a lie. 

Tia made her way back up to the central area of the school but Jamie had yet to do so. Tobias wanted to make things right, and the only way to make things right is to minimise the amount of wrong. The way Tobias saw things, Jamie was the wrong and Tobias gaining Tia's forgiveness was the making things right. 

Tobias waited until Jamie got out of class, he was standing outside the classroom door, leaning against the wall and having his arms crossed across his chest. After a couple of minutes of waiting Jamie and Jordie walked out of class. They noticed Tobias instantly. Jamie tried to greet Tobias cheerfully but was met with a displeased look. Jamie remained silent, waiting for Tobias to initiate the conversation. 

"Bro, I know you don't fuck with starting drama, but really? Carrying on an argument that happened five years ago... Pathetic!" Tobias snapped.

"What are you on about bruh?" Jamie responded, slightly confused.

"You know damn well, Jamie. You harassing Tia ends now." He snarled. "And that goes for you too, Jordie!" Tobias added, pointing towards Jordie.

Jordie nodded and decided it was best for her to leave to go to her next class, leaving Jamie and Tobias alone on the farm. 

"Yeah whatever, I'm not trying to start shit with you bro. But for real tell me why you even care about that bitch?" Jamie retorted. 

"Watch your mouth cunt." Tobias hissed, as he decided to start walking off to his next class, he made sure to hit Jamie with his shoulder whilst walking away. Jamie stood for a moment stunned, he did not expect Tobias to be so persistent towards Tia's side. 

As Tobias made the semi long walk back up to the main area of the school, what he had just done began to set in. He had practically scared Jamie and Jordie into being respectful and sat with Tia during class, just the two of them. He decided he did not want to worry about all that right now and focused on getting to class.