Hard Heart to Crack

Chapter 14: "Oh Shitaki Mushrooms."

I walked down the halls of the school trying to find a clock and see what time it was.

What class did I need to be in?

I was about to turn the corner when I heard muffled groans.

My eyes widened as I turned the corner to find myself facing three tall, muscular boys. They were surrounding a smaller boy who had a black eye and his back flush to the lockers behind him. The boys black hair was pressed against his forehead, his dark brown eyes stubborn.

I started to back up but froze when one of the bigger guys began to speak.

"You gay retard, you better shut your mouth before I remove your teeth."

I immediately reeled back at this.

What in the world?

Without even knowing what I was doing, I closed the distance between me and the bullies. I stepped in front of the smaller boy and faced the bigger guys. My hands on my hips, I glared at them.

"Leave him alone." I told the Blonde haired brute in front of me.

He laughed, "What are you going to do if I don't Sweetheart?"

His eyes raked over my figure, "What are you willing to do for it?"

I scowled, "Leave him alone." I repeated.

He just laughed and they closed in on me and the boy.

"You should have just left me." I heard the smaller boy murmur close to my ear.

"Name's Chris, and you are?" I asked him, ignoring what he had said while still glaring at the bullies.

"You're going to ask me what my name is right now? Really?" The boy said, slight irritation yet surprise showing in his voice.

"Yep. So what is it?" I said, the bullies now stopped and looked at me like I was crazy.

Hmmmm, maybe...

I turned around and faced the boy. His wide brown eyes showed surprise.

"Run when I tell you too." I whispered to him.

I didn't give him the chance to answer. On impulse, I pushed the guy closing in on my right side with all my strength. He fell over, and I grabbed the boys hand.

"RUN." I yelled as I jumped over the knocked over bully and dragged the smaller boy behind me.

Cries of outrage were close behind us, but I didn't look back. I kept running, still dragging the boy behind me.

I don't know how long I ran down the school hallways. Taking turns here and there. My mind was everywhere. I wasn't paying attention to the fading yells anymore. I just kept running.

I was suddenly yanked to a stop. I looked back to see the boy I had been dragging around pulling at my arm, leaning far back to stop me from running. He stood up, and I realized he was taller then I assumed. He was maybe a few inches taller then me, his black hair wind swept. His breathing heavy.

"Can *pant* You *heave* Stop *cough* Running?" He said, practically dying between words.

I looked behind us and didn't see anybody following us.

Safe

I sighed, "Yeah. Sorry about that."

He coughed, and let go of my hand.

"Don't be, you saved me from a messy situation."

His black eye was a bit swollen. His black hair was in a mess. His figure slumped and tired.

He sighed, "Well I guess I'd better thank you for saving me back there. Name is Das."

I gave him a small smile, "Nice to meet you Das-"

The bell interrupted us, we both looked at each other. Das said what was on both of our minds.

"Oh Shitaki Mushrooms."

The hallways filled and I was separated from Das in a flurry of the student body heading to their next class. I followed one current of students, hoping they would lead me out of this mayhem.

I found myself suddenly in an English class.

The teacher was a middle aged woman, with brown hair and light blue eyes. She began to take roll.

I really hope this is my class.

She called name after name, none of them mine. Till finally,

"Chris Summers."

I released the breath I had been holding, "Here."