⚠️TW: bullying, sadness, sexuality struggles
Word count: ~1600
One of my fav chapters I've made so far yay!
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The Sturniolo triplets, Matt, Chris, and Nick, were navigating another typical day at school. Classes were going smoothly, with each of them excelling in their favorite subjects. The bell rang, signaling the start of lunch, and the trio headed to the cafeteria. However, amidst the bustling chatter and clinking of trays, Nick felt a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. Usually around this time, something happened... and he was right.
As they sat down to eat, a group of boys approached their table with sneers on their faces. "Hey Nick, why do you always act so... you know, gay?" one of them spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "You trying to hide something, or are you just too scared to admit you're a freak?"
Nick's heart sank, and a wave of shame washed over him. His hands trembled slightly as he tried to focus on his lunch, but the words echoed in his mind, making it hard to breathe. He felt exposed and vulnerable, wishing he could disappear.
Matt and Chris immediately sprang to Nick's defense, their faces flushed with anger. "Back off!" Matt shouted, his voice echoing through the cafeteria. "Why don't you mind your own business?" Chris added, his fists clenched.
The group of boys laughed, their leader stepping forward with a sneer. "Oh, look, the triplets are getting all worked up. What's the matter, Matt? Afraid your brother's gonna embarrass you?"
"Shut up!" Matt yelled, his eyes blazing. "You don't know anything about us."
"Yeah, why don't you just leave us alone?" Chris chimed in, his voice shaking with fury. "What did Nick ever do to you?"
The leader shrugged, his smirk widening. "Just calling it like I see it. Maybe if Nick wasn't such a freak, we wouldn't have to say anything."
Nick's face burned with humiliation, but Matt and Chris stood their ground. "You're the freaks," Chris shot back. "Picking on someone just because they're different? That's pathetic."
The cafeteria had gone silent, all eyes on the unfolding drama. "You think you're so tough," the leader spat, stepping closer. "But you're just a bunch of losers."
"Better to be a loser than a bully," Matt retorted, his voice steady despite the tension. "Now get lost before we make you."
For a moment, it seemed like the confrontation might turn physical, but the leader finally backed down, realizing they were outnumbered and outmatched. "Fine, alright, chill freaks," he muttered, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. "Let's go, guys."
As the group walked away, the triplets were left to catch their breath, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. The cafeteria slowly returned to its usual buzz, but the incident left a lingering tension in the air.
As the group of boys walked away, Matt and Chris turned to Nick, their expressions softening with concern. "Nick, we're so sorry you had to go through that," Matt said, his voice filled with regret.
"Yeah, we should have done more to stop them," Chris added, his eyes searching Nick's face for any sign of reassurance.
Nick forced a small smile, trying to hide the turmoil inside. "You did more than required. It's fine, really," he said, shrugging. "I'm used to it."
Matt frowned, not convinced. "You shouldn't have to be used to it, Nick. It's not fair."
Chris nodded in agreement. "We hate seeing you go through things like this. You're our brother, and we just want you to be happy."
