Avoiding August (ONGOING)

Chapter 5

QUESTION FOR MY READERS: how did you come across this story?

He paid no attention to me the next day. But, I guess that's the way a boy like him should be; untouchable.

That Friday at school was a nightmare.

Not because he continued to ignore anyone but his friends, but because something changed.

Usually, he wasn't this bad.

But today, he was. All throughout the day, I was constantly seeing August terrorise the school's population. I was in two of his classes, and was left wondering what he had done for the rest of the day.

During first period in English, he threatened a classmate out of their seat, just because he wanted to sit at the back. He spent the rest of the hour making snide remarks about Cloe Vetisco from Paraguay whenever she asked the teacher for help.

He shoved Mason Tonbick in the hallway, then punched Mason's twin when he was confronted about it.

In orchestra, while he was supposed to take notes on the theory of dynamics, he ripped his notebook apart and threw the pieces at Wadeson Thomas' back.

At the end of the day, he snatched a pink envelope from a freshman boy's anticipating hands and tore it until it was confetti.

"What a genuinely horrible human being." Thandiwe commented over lunch, while Louis let me copy his orchestra homework.

Gabriel pulled a face directed in August's general direction and grunted out a flat sound.

August's rampaging torment rolled across the school suddenly; unexpectedly. Students skittered out of his path whenever he appeared. Teachers pursed their lips, drummed their fingers and shared looks.

The only people who weren't victim to his unexplained menace were his three friends: Matthew, Roderick and Xavier. They were never far apart.

Louis compared the tight group of four to the suites of a card deck.

Roderick was the suite of hearts. He was a renowned, seductive player. He was intense, both when loving and hating.

Xavier was the suite of diamonds; pretty, delicate-looking and yet mysteriously unbreakable. He was never seen in a rage. He was very sought after by girls.

Matthew was the suite of clubs. He would pummel anyone who dared disturb any of the school's kings. He was their loyal dog most of the time; a dire wolf to beware of.

Then, the suite of spades belonged to August. He buried people six feet under, with his fists, words or with dirty secrets. He was wild and unpredictable.

August was so unpredictable that, after Thandiwe claimed one day would use up all the boy's steam, his reign of victimisation continued into the next week.

By Tuesday that week, I had enough.

The last bell of the day had rung, with me leaving the change rooms from PE class as quick as I could with my short legs. My sport uniform's shirt was a bit too big for me; baggy around my shoulders.

I was on my way to the bus stop, hopefully to catch sight of Louis there as well.

I didn't get to see, though, because on my way outside, as I strode through the hallways and turned one particular corner, I halted.

I was met with the now-familiar sight of August Right's lean back. His broad shoulders were hunched over his latest victim. I would have kept my head down and walked right past, but a voice caught my attention.