The Real Bully

Flashback 2

I tried to avoid using the bathroom during school, but one day I couldn't help it.

I grabbed the bathroom pass during the last period and crept into the silent hall, holding my breath as I tiptoed to the nearest bathroom. I peered over my shoulder as I went, praying to see another teacher or a janitor and not a student, just please not a student. I made it all the way to the bathroom and slowly slid inside, mentally cursing when my shoes squeaked.

"It's him," I heard Sam say. And suddenly someone shoved me to the ground. I collapsed on the wet bathroom floor, urine that missed the urinal trickling down my face. Whoever shoved me kept their foot on my back, preventing me from getting up. I opened my mouth to scream and the foot pressed me harder into the ground. My bladder ached.

"Just let me pee!" I managed. "Then I'll let you do whatever you want to me. I promise. Just let me go first!"

Sam and his friends—Daniel and Jake—cackled. Jake dug his foot deeper into my back, imprinting the texture of his shoe into my skin. Then I noticed the foot release me and I sighed, thankful that for once, they let me go. But they only yanked my hair, dragging me to a toilet. "Don't try to escape," Sam snarled. "It won't work." With Daniel and Jake restraining me, Sam dunked my head in the toilet. I coughed up water and he lifted my head out. I spit out the dirty water and the three boys laughed at me, mocking my helpless state.

Then I felt eyes bore into my spine. Brandon stood behind us; apparently he had been with them the whole time. He didn't laugh at me, only glared, as if my helpless state wasn't good enough for him. He needed something more to satisfy his bullying thirst, something truly awful to make him laugh.

"We should pee in it!" Sam exclaimed to my horror, pulling down his pants and peeing inches from my mouth into the toilet. Without bothering to wash his hands, he yanked my hair once more and plunged my face into the toilet. The stench filled my nostrils. When I thought I might drown in that disgusting yellow water, he yanked me out, letting me catch a few breaths before forcing me back in.

But the fact that I was being plunged in that water still wasn't good enough for Brandon. I could tell by the way he watched, angry and hateful, as if he wanted Sam to just shove me in the water and never bring my head out.

Suddenly the bell rang, causing the boys to rise and sprint from the scene to their cars. I felt Sam give me a hard kick, making my tailbone soar, before departing. I heard the rush of the school outside the bathroom, giggling, high fiving each other, inviting each other to parties, and discussing tests. When the last trail of students faded, I left the stall, wetting a paper towel and wiping the dried yellow crust off my face. Of course the bathroom was out of soap, meaning I couldn't sanitize my face. I scrubbed at my skin, scowling at the horrid stench and pee remains ingrained in my skin.

Someday they would pay, I thought to myself. I'll make them pay. I won't be like this—weak, pathetic—forever. Someday they will wish they never lied a finger on me.

And the thought of that, despite the pee on my face, made me smile.