Break Free

Chapter Three

"Look at how scrawny he is!" A boy laughed and shoved Chester into a wall. Chester cried out in pain but it didn't stop the bully. He shoved into him again and Chester cowered onto the floor.

"Please! Just-just leave me alone!" Chester begged, covering his face. He heard the bigger boy laugh.

"Fucking Bennington, stand up for yourself!" He snapped and sent a painful kick into Chester's side. He cried out but didn't move. He suddenly wished Mike was here. He seemed nice earlier, maybe he'd help him.

"Come on, Frank, let's go!" A kid named Gerard yelled at the bully and his friend sighed in defeat.

"You're lucky, Bennington." Frank sneered before leaving the small boy shaking on the ground.

~

"Chester, where's your homework?" Mrs. Delson asked the boy who's head was resting in his arms. Chester just shrugged. "We had a teacher meeting about you. If you don't pick up your grades, you'll be held back."

"I don't care." Chester croaked and Mrs. Delson's heart broke. She couldn't take this kid's sadness. He didn't care about his grades because he didn't care about his own life. It was true, Chester didn't believe he'd make it through this year. He just wanted to close his eyes and never wake up.

"Chester, just try." She pleaded softly but sighed and left the boy alone when she knew he wouldn't reply.

'What does she know?' Chester thought sadly. 'She's just new, she doesn't know anything about me. She shouldn't try. She just needs to leave me alone.'

~

Chester hid outside during lunch. He was afraid of getting pelted with food like he has before. He hated that everyday, he had to hide and cower from everyone.

He was sick of it all. The bullying, the loneliness, the disappointment, let alone the abuse he suffered at home. Not to mention the possible sexual abuse he'll have to face next week by his uncle. His life was so fucked up and he knew it. He just wanted to escape. He just wanted a friend.

~

Mike's first day went by so quickly, he hadn't had any time to talk to Chester. During their first hour, he didn't say a word and Mike didn't want to push him. He didn't see him for the rest of the day, even at lunch. Mike just spotted him walking home a minute ago and he began catching up to him.

"Hey, Chester, wait up!" He called and Chester seemed to hesitate before stopping and allowing Mike to catch up. "I didn't see you for the rest of the day."

"I know." He said quickly and began walking again.

"Do you... Do you want to hang out?" Mike asked desperately, hoping he could talk to him about music.

"Erm... Su-sure, I guess." He stuttered. "Where do you want to go?"

"I don't know anywhere around here." He admitted and Chester nodded.

"We can go to the park." He suggested and Mike nodded. He turned around and began walking the other way. Mike walked by his side.

"So... You seem really quiet and distant. But don't take that personally, I mean, I've only met you today." Mike said and he simply nodded.

"I get that a lot." He sighed and Mike's features softened, remembering what Mr. Aoki said about his dad beating him.

"I'm sorry." He wheezed out pathetically. Chester gave him the smallest smile one could ever muster and Mike felt his eyes heating up. "You... You should smile. Like not a little one like that but just a big grin."