Camp Hope

chapter 1

okay, really quick this is my first story so bear with me, if you see any mistakes, please tell me and I'll do my best to fix it also if reading about bullying, self-harm, panic attacks or an eating disorder can trigger you, please click off and do not continue reading it, i would rather you not read then accidentally trigger something, lots of love and enjoy ❤️

My head slams into the locker behind me, a hollow noise echoing in the hallway. The face of Erik, our brawny school bully, glares down at me with a ruthless grin. He has a particular knack for making people miserable, and I usually end up on the receiving end.

People speed walk past with their heads down, not wanting to get involved as Erik bends down to my shivering body. "Having one of these 'attacks' again, are we?"

He asks while snickering as he grabs a handful of my hair to pull my head up. I weakly fight against his hand as tears threaten to fall and his fist starts to tighten in my hair. My breathing starts to pick up the pace as my heart beats faster, making my throat squeeze. I feel dizzy as I try not to look him in the eyes.

My hands weakly grab his wrists as I press my back to the lockers, trying to scoot as far away as possible. "Aww... Poor little Ollie can't even fend for himself." Erik mocks, making my vision go spotty from lack of oxygen.

My heartbeat pulses in my ears, drowning out the sounds of his taunts. I feel one of his extremely large hands wrap around my neck, cutting off what little amount of oxygen I had left, leaving me gasping for air.

Black spots cloud my vision as he shoves me deeper into the lockers. As I squint, trying to stay conscious, I see him laughing and spitting venomous words I can't make out. My heartbeat feels overbearing as my head gets cloudy. I feel like my mind has been stuffed with cotton. "I can't breathe... I can't breathe..." I think moments before my world fades to black.

I fold my arms and lean into myself. I can hear the hushed voices of the principal and my mother in the office next to me. My mother keeps her voice hushed but harsh, her voice slowly climbing in volume.

"My son was supposed to be safe in your school! I put him in here for a reason. This was his fifth school this year! You promised to make sure that the previous bullying wouldn't be repeated!" My principal tries to keep his low tone, his voice shaking slightly.

"Ms. Banks... if you would just listen..." "No! You listen! You can't tell me you tried your best when my son has been continuously bullied for years over something he can't control!"

"Now Ms. Banks... I'm sure we can work something out-" The sound of a chair abruptly screeching across the floor causes me to jump a bit.

"I think we'll see ourselves out." The door swings open and my mom aggressively takes my hand, pulling me up and dragging me through the halls and out the door.

The car ride home was uncomfortably silent while mom was trying to calm herself. After we get home I quietly grab my bag and walk up the stairs to go to my room. I hear my mother throw her keys on the table and sigh as I pick out the music I want to listen to.

"Nothing sounds good right now." I toss my phone to the side, and flop back on my bed, staring at my ceiling. "All of that... the bullying... the panic attacks... I knew it was going to happen. It always does."

I try to close my eyes to take a nap but all I can see is Erik's beefy face and hear his horrid voice. I lay there, staring at my ceiling for what seemed like hours, contemplating why this always happens, anywhere I go. "Oliver, come down here, I need to talk to you!" Mom yelled from somewhere downstairs

As soon as the words left her mouth and were processed by my ears, I immediately knew what it was about. She was going to make me leave again. I carefully step down the staircase, slowly waltzing up to what I expect will again, be the death of me.

Once I get to the bottom of the steps, my mom tells me to sit at the table. Once I sit down at the creaky, old chair, she says, "Alright sweety, I know you hate the camps, but there is a new one that is coming. It's not super far from town," she said calmly. "Okay," I answer blankly. "When does it start?" I asked.

"This afternoon," she replied while avoiding eye contact. "Okay," I whisper, gently tilting my head down so she can't see the tears forming in my eyes. I get up to go to my room and pack my clothes. It felt like no time before mom hollered that we needed to leave. With unsteady hands, I grabbed my suitcase and again, made my way to the last step.