They made fun of him at school the next day... and the next, and the next. For once in a long time, Phil was getting some kind of acknowledgement for his existence from a lot of people, but not the kind he ever wanted. He sat down at his desk in the back of the room while everyone watched him like he was some kind of freak. One of the boys toward the front—the one who insulted him at lunch awhile back—called him a little girl for confessing and tearing up when the cop pulled him from the school. He kept his head down as they continued to throw petty insults his way.
He noticed that Dan’s seat was empty again and felt a bit worried. His friend hadn’t been in school since the incident and he wouldn’t answer his texts or calls. Others seemed to notice, too, but what could he say? Their guess was as good as his. He opened his text book and pretended to read its content as the boys in the first rows kept at it. The teacher walked in and they stopped, much to Phil’s relief. The lesson began and he took notes, not looking up to see the board. He doodled in his notebook when he didn’t need to pay attention. There were small pictures of the bridge, a stick figure with a can of spray paint, the words—he stopped himself, worried if someone noticed they’d tell on him.
The rest of the day passed as slow as the last few and the comments and sneers from the other kids in the class eventually died down to the point where he was almost invisible again. He plugged the headphones into his iPod and took the shortcut home like he used to. Everything felt as grey as the sky; boring and lifeless. It was almost… depressing. A sigh parted from his lips as he jumped the gate to the park and kept hidden out of habit. He half smiled remembering when they were almost caught there. It was still the best night he’d ever had.
Climbing over the gate on the other side of the park, he noticed the paint on the stones. Probably another one of Dan’s attempts to get a message out—maybe to make the world a little less dull and uninviting. He found himself smiling a bit at the art. Maybe it was making the impact his friend was after. Feeling a bit happier, he walked the rest of the way home a bit less glum.
YOU ARE READING
Hurts Like Heaven
FanfictionPhil is a no one living in a small town trying to get out. When he sees a vandalized bridge in the park, it leaves him thinking about the meaning. Everything after that is an exciting rush leaving him a new person than who he'd imagined himself to...
