𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭

chapter ii: the grinch?

[chapter ii: the grinch]

The first few weeks of the sophomore year flew by quickly. Miguel had adapted to the high school with ease, growing closer to Bianca, Demetri, and Eli, solidifying the bonds between them. With Halloween only a day away, excitement was in the air. The cafeteria buzzed with the chattering students as students eagerly discussed their costume ideas for the dance.

"We're going to go as the donkey from Shrek," Demetri informed, gaining confused looks from Miguel and Bianca.

"Who's we?" Bianca asked as she took a bite out of her Oreo.

"Eli and I."

Miguel blinked. "So who's the butt?"

"Eli," The Alexopulous boy answered, causing the Moskowitz boy to frown as he placed his burger down and faced his friend.

"Why am I the butt?" He stammered.

"Because I want to be the head."

"But I thought we agreed I was the head."

"Yeah, but I think that I'd be the better head."

"That's what he said," Bianca mumbled to Miguel,  and the duo erupted into laughter earning a disappointed look from Demetri, who picked at his food.

"Cyberbullying is no laughing matter," Principle Blatt's voice echoed throughout the cafeteria, making Bianca and Miguel's laughter die down.
"Sending a cruel message to someone online can be just as hurtful as saying to their face. I'm not going to name names, but the other day a mother called me up because her son was crying. After some kids online made fun of his facial deformity."

It didn't take a genius to figure out who Principle Blatt was hinting at as she had not been as subtle as she thought. It was none other than the Moskowitz boy — the only person in the school with a facial deformity. It made Bianca upset to see people point fingers and laugh at him.

Eli, embarrassed, slid further into his chair and brought a hand over his mouth, covering the scar. He wasn't sure if others noticed, but it didn't matter. The weight of the scar felt heavier in moments like this, and Eli kept his head down

"You know, if you're sick of getting bullied, my karate dojo's looking for recruits," Miguel suggested.

Demetri scoffed. "Yeah, right. Do you hear that Eli? A little karate training and you're gonna kick some major ass."

"I'm serious Demetri," Miguel sighed. "My sensei's the real deal. I'm sure I could get all three of you discounts."

"As enticing as that sounds," the raven-haired boy began, and it was obvious he was going to shoot down Miguel's offer. "I think we'd rather spend our afternoons playing Crucible Control than getting hit in the face."

The Diaz boy turned to face the Williams girl. "Bianca?"

Bianca shook her head. "I don't do sports, or anything physical for that matter," she stated causing Miguel to shrug in disappointment. "Sorry," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it.