Strangers In A Dangerous World (Frikey)

Chapter Five: Expecting The Worst

I managed to walk around the streets until the daylight shone through the cloud. I felt exhausted. I stopped in a random restaurant and changed my clothes. I only looked into the mirror to clean off the eyeliner that had dripped down my face and to make sure that my bruises weren't showing. I quickly brushed my teeth and flattened my hair down with water before pulling my hood over my head and walking hastily towards the second worst place in the world -my house being the first. I reached the building and the first thing I noticed was that it was way too early. Only the staff were here and a few students that were there for morning tutorials. I rolled my eyes and sat down on the curb by the school. I had dozed off for a few minutes when someone ran up to me and hugged me. They caused me to cry out in pain. I opened my eyes and saw a worried Ray looking down at me. I stood up and smiled lazily. I still felt exhausted. I pulled Ray into a hug that wasn't so tight while he just relaxed into my hug. I pulled back and Ray yanked my hood down to get a better look at me.

"Where have you been all night? You look so tired." He gripped the bottom of my chin and his thumb was digging into my bruise. I was screaming inside of my head and wanting him to stop, but he wasn't done.

I pulled back and smiled like it was nothing, "I've been everywhere and, yeah, I'm really tired. I have math first period, so I'll sleep in there. Don't worry about me."

Ray scolded me with his eyes, "Why didn't you call me back? Everyone's been out looking for you all night. We've been so worried. Actually, Bob is about to be here and he's pissed. He's also bringing you coffee, so be nice."

I nodded quickly and looked behind Ray to see Bob pulling up, "Crap, he's here. Oh, and my phone died pretty quickly."

I used the truth and bent it to make my lie. Ray smiled lightly and pulled his charger out. I stuck it into my duffel bag while Ray left to help Bob juggle the three coffees, his wallet, his keys, and his backpack. I looked down and cursed under my breath. I had totally forgotten to grab my backpack. It's not like I did my homework, but now I couldn't at least pretend I had and copy off of Ray. I sighed and a tried headache crossed over my head. I definitely needed that coffee and now. I walked slowly towards Bob once they had everything sorted between the two of them. Bob was shooting daggers in my direction and I couldn't help but flinch. He was scarier than all of the men my mother had ever been with because he was a friend and actually knew how to hurt me. I looked down in shame as Ray passed me my coffee. I thanked Bob in my smallest voice while he stuck everything in his pockets, put his backpack on his shoulder, and handed Ray his coffee. He charged at me immediately and I flinched, but I was surprised when he pulled me into a hug instead of punching me or something. Bob just hugged me until my tired and scared emotions got the better of me and I cried. Ray and Bob looked at each other with worry written all over their faces. I had never cried in front of them before.

Bob pulled back from the hug and I wiped my tears away. I sat back down on the curb while Bob and Ray continued to stand. They were whispering frantically to one another and I could occasionally hear my name being passed between the two of them. I just sipped my coffee and pretended not to care. I dried the tears from my eyes while my jacket sleeve and tried to compose myself. I couldn't cry in front of them. What was I thinking? I dug the palms of my hands in my eyes and set my coffee down beside me. I must look pathetic sitting here crying while my friends were acting like it was a big deal -which I admit that it kind of is. I watched them and they had their back turned towards me. I didn't know how much more of the pity and whispering I could take. I left my coffee on the ground and grabbed my duffel bag. The school doors were open now so I'd be able to slip inside unnoticed. I kept looking back just to make sure that no one had noticed I was missing and saw Bob gesturing angrily in Ray's direction. I rolled my eyes before I spun around and bumped into a person that I didn't know was behind me. I opened my eyes to apologize and already saw a swarm of jocks surrounding me. This was not how I planned to start the day.

The quarterback of the football team turned around and faced me with both of his eyebrows raised. I tried backing up but no one of his buddies was already standing behind me. I gulped loudly and watched as our tall six foot quarterback rolled his eyes brown eyes and ran hand through his brown hair mischievously. I didn't take my eyes off of him as the other jocks pulled away. The quarterback, Steven, his friend with the dreads, Kevin, and the wide receiver, Brandon, stayed behind. Kevin grabbed my left arm while Brandon grabbed my right. Steven walked out in front and grabbed me by my hair. I stayed silent and tried not to get too much attention drawn to me. The final bell rang and they pushed me into the gym. They dragged me into the guy's locker room before Brandon and Kevin let go. Steven dragged me down onto the ground by my hair and I barely missed slamming my face onto the ground. Kevin and Brandon just rolled their eyes and laughed when Steven told them he could take care of me on his own.

Kevin and Brandon just shrugged and walked to class. The door slammed shut and I was already shaking. I tried using my arms to get up but Steven was expecting that. He waited until I was balancing on my hands and knees before he kicked me hard in the stomach. I collapsed immediately and tried to find my breath. I was laying face down and flat. My bruises from yesterday were already screaming, but I didn't want to chance moving. He'll make it hurt worse.

"What's wrong, faggot? You aren't going to fight me anymore?" I didn't answer him and he grew angry. He kicked my ribs and I cried out in pain.

"That's right, faggot. I want you to fucking cry." He kicked my ribs again and I went with the blow and flipped onto my side. I was hugging my stomach and hoping that he'd go easier on me. He picked me up by my hair again and I was forced to stand up, "Come on, faggot, it's time for a bath."

I struggled against him as he shoved me inside of a bathroom stall and pressed his hand against the back of my head. I tried to fight back, but he punched my back and my head hit the cold water just as I sucked in a gasp. I was choking underwater and he wasn't answering my struggles. He was holding me underwater and there wasn't a thing I could do. I figured playing dead would do the trick, so I went limp in his arms and he pulled me up. I started coughing frantically and water was spewing out of my mouth as I puked. The jock just laughed before dunking my head back into the toilet. He brought my head up quicker this time and punched my stomach. He fisted my hair in his hand, dragged me out of the stall, and he threw me down onto the ground. My reflexes were off and I hit my head hard on the ground. I groaned out and my vision was doubled. My eyes felt horrible and the world rolled around me. Suddenly, Steven was in my face and he looked frightened. His voice was coming out slow and jacked up, but I made out what he said after some time.

"Iero, get up you pussy." I was having trouble breathing and there was no way that I'd be able to fight back, but I needed to. I felt my wet jacket being ripped off of me and I could only hope that the zipper was still intact. I didn't want Ray to have to fix it again.

The jock was standing directly above me so I kicked my heavy foot out and hit him square in his midsection. The jock dropped to his knees while I dizzily stood up. I started stumbling out of the bathroom finding it hard to breathe. I was gaping for air. I could hear him trying to stand behind me. I walked faster, but I was severely hurt. I tried to limp faster, but the jock came up behind me and ripped my shirt over my head in an attempt to pull me onto the ground. I tried to fight back, but it was too late. The jock let out a gasp and stared wide eyed at my back. His face was stuck in a permanent 'O' and he was gaping openly.

I pulled my shirt down and the tears sprung into my eyes as the jock just sat there paralyzed. I grabbed my duffel bag from the ground and forced myself to run. My vision was blurry and nothing was right. My ribs were screaming at me and my lungs felt as if they had collapsed. I couldn't catch my breath and my duffel bag was hitting my back and chest as I ran. I didn't know where I was going until my feet stopped at the park and I opened the gate. I saw someone sitting on the swings, but I didn't think of it before my vision turned black around the edge and I fell to the ground gasping for air. I had a horrible feeling about the jock seeing all of the cuts, bruises, and whip lines. Oh God, what if he started acting nicer to me? I could hear someone talking to me, but I was too far gone. I finally let the blackness take over and hoped for the best while expecting the worse.

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Song Of The Moment: Sleepwalking- Bring Me The Horizon