Fighting Back

Chapter 3 - A Lost Chance, A Failed Try

The class smirked as Noah walked in late to form. His shirt was crumpled, his hair in a mess, his eyes red and watery. Everyone was sitting on desks, chatting away. Noah hoped no-one had noticed him through the busy atmosphere. How wrong he was.

"Ooooh, yer late, No! And yer look like yer've been dumped in a bin!" This harsh comment from Billy was followed by several sniggers from the rest of the form. The teacher didn't react. He didn't care about Noah at all.

The short boy quickly ran over to his seat to avoid any more embarrassment, his bag slumped over his right shoulder like a sack of rice. I know what I look like, Billy. I don't need to be told.

After a moment or two, Noah realised that someone was standing over him. He didn't need to look up; he could feel a dark shadow casting over his hunched back. But it wasn't Billy... whoever it was was breathing softly, unlike the class bully who sounded like a bull when he breathed out.

"Hi," a new face murmured. Noah's instincts told him to run away, even though he was sitting down. Consequently, he fell backwards and landed with a sharp thud. This caused an eruption of laughter from everyone in the room. Billy was practically choking.

Seconds passed until Noah looked back at the girl who had greeted him. He saw she was fragile, easily hurt. Great... he had scared her away. A missed opportunity for a new friendship. Somehow he had also drawn even more attention onto himself.

"Nice one, No! Yer such a charmer, aren't yer!" the bully called out.

"Shut up," he replied under his breath. Billy must have heard because he swiftly moved over to him.

"WHAT. DID. YOU. SAY?"

"I-I said... shut up."

"NO ONE TELLS ME TO SHUT UP, YOU IDIOT! ARE YER TRYING TO STAND UP TO ME? HUH? I SAID HUH? 'CAUSE IT'S NOT WORKIN'! YOU FAILED! YOU'RE A FAILURE! HAH! THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE, JUST A FAILURE!" he burst out with anger.

I know, Billy. That's exactly what I am. Again, I don't need to be told, he thought to himself.

Once again Noah felt the tears welling up in his hazelnut coloured eyes. Water fell quickly onto his lap. He couldn't control it.

He had tried. Tried with all his courage to stand up for himself, but he was too much of a failure to succeed! In fact, he'd even lost a potential friend. Great going, Noah.

And now he was in even greater trouble with Billy the Bully.

It was only Monday morning. There were still countless days, weeks and months left of school, and yet he had already lost a chance and failed a try.