Ride or Die

Hate The Game

Newborns cry frequently when hungry or in pain because it's their first encounter with discomfort; after spending nine months in a warm, well-fed, and secure environment, the abrupt transition to a bright, unfamiliar world can be overwhelming. The shock of experiencing pain for the first time prompts intense cries, as they lack the awareness that this discomfort is temporary. On the contrary, a child accustomed to constant pain and trauma may rarely cry. This isn't a sign that the pain has disappeared or that they've found a way to alleviate it; rather, it's because the pain has become a constant presence, leading them to develop a coping mechanism of ignoring it over time. Make no mistake: the pain is still there, terrible and unceasing; they've just come to realize that it's not going away, and there'd be no use crying over it anyway.

Elmer navigated the crowded hallways of his high school, his head low and his steps deliberate. He was no stranger to the art of blending in, and he had mastered the skill of becoming invisible in the bustling sea of students. To most, he was just another face in the crowd, a guy who kept to himself, not drawing much attention.

When Elmer arrived at school, routine took over, but things felt off on this particular Monday. As expected, he finds himself in a predicament, watching from behind a corner as Piper and McKenzie stand in front of his locker.

Elmer hides from them and watches from afar, waiting for them to leave his locker so he can get ready for school.

Ordinarily, he'd be confident enough that they'd have no idea which locker was his, but since all of the senior class had their lockers decorated by their parents, his was very identifiable by anyone.

He overheard them gawking at the photos on his locker,

"Ohmygosh!! This is a baby Elmer! Kenz, look! He was such a handsome baby!"

"Dude, look at this picture from middle school! He and his mom look like they're the same age!"

The two girls start giggling uncontrollably. He rolls his eyes in annoyance, irritatedly waiting for them to vacate the hallway.

Elmer, annoyed and flustered from all their comments, tucks himself all the way around the bend of the hallway so as not to be seen. He pulls out his phone, checking the time.

"Oh my goooooossshhhh..." Piper groans, "Where is he... it's almost 8:00!! I coulda' sworn he looked like the punctual type, but I guess not... tardy lil' boy."

McKenzie glares at her smartwatch,

"Hey, Piper, our homeroom is pretty far... we're not gonna be on time if we wait any longer."

Some of Elmer's tension leaves his body.

Yes, it is far away... leave... He thinks.

"Okay, but like, what if something is wrong and he doesn't come to his locker? What if he went missing or something and the police ask to interview me? What kind of friend would I be to say 'I don't know, it's not like I was waiting by his locker or anything'?"

Elmer is so shocked by her imagination that he almost blows his cover by laughing.

"Dude, that would never happen."

"Oh, whatever, Kenz. You just take off and tell the teacher I'll be a bit late." Piper puts her hands on her hips, confident in her decision.

Ultimately, Piper waits out at Elmer's locker, while Elmer gives up and heads to his homeroom without his homework.

On his way there, Elmer finds himself lost in thought, dwelling on the dramatic turn of events this past weekend.

Elmer feels a hand on his shoulder from behind. Thinking Piper found him, Elmer is initially a bit startled, but turns around to see it's only his friend, Laurel.