Modern Four: High School

Hard Times and Friendships

Hiro's POV

Penny didn't talk to me. She flat out ignored me. I watched her walk off. "Penny?" She didn't answer. She turned the corner and was out of sight.

I don't get it. Did I do something wrong? I turned to Violet and Wilbur who saw the whole thing. They looked as confused as I was. Violet finally spoke up, "I'll go talk to her." Then she runs down the hall. I turn my gaze to Wilbur. He looked towards the hall and stuttered, "I'll..be back." He sprints probably wanting to catch up with Violet. Never can get enough, can he?

I just stood there not sure what to do. I've never seen Penny like this ever.. Did I do something to hurt her? What if it's me? What if I'm...a-a Loser?

As if I needed more trouble, Ricky shows up. He snickers seeing I was all alone. No teachers, students, no one. Just me. He walked over to me and pinned me against the wall. "I see you have no friends around. I wonder why. Maybe they finally realized you're a FREAK." I winced at the hurtful things he spit in my face. The next thing really got to me, "I've heard a lot about you. You live with your aunt and you have no parents..geek." Anger surged through me. I couldn't take it. I tried to kick him or squirm out of his grasp, but he just pushed me harder into the wall. "Trying I get away? Maybe this will teach you!"

He lifted up his fist and was about to punch me, but suddenly Wilbur pushed him off my shoulders. I breathed heavily as I stared at Ricky on the ground and Wilbur standing in front of me as a shield. Wilbur yelled at the bully, "Leave my friend alone!" Ricky got up and ran I don't care where.

I stared at the ground paralyzed.
The words filled my brain; GEEK, LOSER, FREAK. They kept getting bigger and bigger in my head screaming at me. I-I closed my eyes trying to block it out but it wouldn't go away..it wouldn't go away.

Wilbur's POV

I was running behind Violet then she stopped and turned to me. She whispered, "What are you doing?!" I was confused, "Going to check with you on Penny!" Violet sighed, "Look, our friends need our help, and we need to both see if he's ok. I'll check on Penny and you see Hiro, okay?" I nodded, gave a wink at Violet who just rolled her eyes. She wants me. Then I went back towards the lunch room where I left Hiro.

When I arrived, I saw Ricky pinning Hiro to a wall and was getting ready to punch him! I sprinted towards them and pushed Ricky off of Hiro and onto the ground. I held my arms out trying to protect my friend. I yelled at Ricky, "Leave my friend alone!" Then the bully ran off into the lunch room and didn't turn back.

I looked over at Hiro who looked sick to his stomach. I turned to him putting my hand on his shoulder, "Dude, are you okay?" He didn't meet my gaze and closed his eyes. This really worried me. What actually happened?? He opened his eyes again and just said, "Yeah.."

He was hiding something. This wasn't Hiro at all. I grabbed both of his shoulders and forced eye contact, "Hiro, I know something's wrong. I'm your best friend. Why can't you trust me and tell me what is happening?" Hiro groaned, "If I did know, don't you think I'd tell you??" I let go of him since I think I pushed him too far. Why is there so much drama in high school??

Hiro sighed and brushed his hand through his hair, "I know something's wrong..it's just--Ricky hasn't stopped telling me how horrible I am since I stood up for Violet two days ago." He turned away a little bit walking a bit forward, "He said I was a LOSER..a FREAK. And I--I am worried that's why Penny is so upset with me just like any other person who picked on me before. I'm a know-it-all freak!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could Hiro believe these lies? He started again, "What if Ricky's right? I-I don't think I can handle him any longer and-" I stopped him, "Hiro," he turned to me, "You're not alone. I'll be right here to help you through anything, no matter what." Hiro cracked a smile, "Thanks Wilbur." I smiled back a patted his back. I always got Hiro's back but man, I hope everything settles down a bit.