The Beaten and The Ginger

1. Happy New Year

     Simon took his usual seat at the back of the class next to his best friend, Piggy. His true name was not Piggy, but people called him that because of certain weight problems. Winter break had just ended, so now he was back at school for another semester of relentless bullying. 

     "Don't you think it's strange that Jack hasn't made fun of us today?" Piggy questioned. 

     "Don't worry. It's still morning," Simon replied absentmindedly as he saw Ralph walk into the room. Ralph was perfect. He was often referred to as golden boy. His fair hair and athletic body structure were enough for anyone to easily fall head over heels for him. But Simon could never date Ralph. While Ralph was popular and had many friends, Simon's only friend was Piggy. And the only reason people knew of him was because he got bullied by Jack.

     "Last Friday when I got home my aunt questioned me about what happened when she saw my black eye. I had to lie and tell her I fell down the steps at school," Piggy sighed. "How much longer will this go on?"     

     Simon didn't know how to reply. You never know when someone is going to come over and bully you. He heard Ralph laugh, and he glanced over to see that Ralph was laughing at a joke Jack had made. Simon suddenly wished he were Jack. Simon wished he were friends with Ralph and able to socialize like most people. He quickly zoned out, watching Ralph and imagining that he was dating or at least friends with Ralph. 

     Suddenly, he saw Jack whisper something into Roger's ear and Roger smirked. Jack got up from his desk and sauntered over to the back of the class where Simon and Piggy were sitting.

      "Surprised you can fit into that desk considering your weight, fatty," Jack's rude words mocking Piggy's weight made the entire class laugh except for Ralph. "And you. Hanging out with this loser. Surprised you are still so skinny. Or are you hiding a few extra pounds under those baggy clothes?"

     Simon couldn't speak. His mouth had gone dry and his hands started shaking. He looked down at the desk, but out of the corner of his eye he could see Ralph getting up from his desk. Oh God. His crush was walking over.

     "Come on Jack. Leave them alone," Ralph's voice was calm and sweet as he talked to Jack. "Hey Piggy, Simon." 

   Piggy and Simon looked up when Ralph said their names.

"Happy New Year," Ralph's voice was the best sound that Simon had ever heard.