Family

THIRTY-ONE

D e p r e s s i o n  c a u s e s  s u i c i d e

Present || Leonardo

I can't do this.

Multiple eyes are glued onto me, judging me from head to toe. Derek sits lazily at the back of the classroom, his eyes gleaming with a familiar evil intent.

A throat clears," Take a seat Mr jones." Our maths teacher says, an irritated expression plastered onto his face.

I've been standing stuck in the doorway for a while, he mentioned something about an introduction?

I've got to stop zoning out before it gets me into serious trouble.

Clutching my books tighter to my chest, I slowly trudge down to the back, ignoring a heated gaze piercing into me.

I attempt to sit down a few seats away from Derek, the back being the best place for me to stay invisible and I almost mentally cheer until his cold voice slices the air," Sit here, you're going to be my desk partner."

My eyes shrink in terror, my body trembling. The teacher pays us no attention and amidst my confusion, someone shoved past me and lands in the seat I was going to sit in. Now there are only two empty seats remaining.

Derek glares at the girl attempting to sit next to him and she pouts, choosing to sit in the closest one next to him. Now that leaves the seat next to Derek. I have to sit here for the whole year with him?

Carefully, I stack my books on my desk and slowly lower myself onto the hard chair. As our teacher begins taking the attendance, Derek leans into my ear, his minty breath fanning my face," You're going to pay for that."

Anxiety crawls up my throat at his words. 

This is a public school, he wouldn't break my leg again would he? 

My hand trembles as I make notes, my eyes subconsciously darting to Derek once in a while. He pays no attention and stares at the front of the classroom, a bored expression covers his face.

As soon as the bell rings, I dash out of the classroom, ignoring the calls behind me. Sweat glistens my forehead as I make it to the end of the vast corridors'. No student can be seen in sight and I almost let out a sigh of relief.

A hand shoots out and cages me with the hard-tiled wall behind me. Those familiar, terrorising, dark eyes glare into my soul," What have I told you huh?"

He harshly takes hold of my collar, yanking me forward towards him and seethes," When I tell you to do something, you do it."

I whimper as his hold tightens, my throat beginning to close up.

When I don't answer, his hands only clench tighter," Do you understand Leo? Or do I need to beat the shit out of you again?"

"I-I'm s-sorry," I manage to stutter out, my voice drowning in terror.

A sly grin emerges onto his face," You're what?"

His eyes twinkle with mischief, daring me to mess up.

"I-I'm s-sorry D-Derek." 

He scoffs, shoving me away from him, the bell ringing just as he opens his mouth.

"Get out of my sight," He snarls.

My legs shakily carry me as far away from him as possible. 

The school day goes by agonizingly fast. Nobody talks to me, they don't even glance in my direction, which I'm thankful for. It's better than looks of pity or disgust.