Be My Glader

Chapter Two

Skylar

I sat on the floor outside the drama studio with my laptop sitting on my knees. I had my music program open, making a dance/techno remix. I was waiting for the bell to ring and for class to start. Mr. Balmer had promised us a surprise this lesson and I was very curious as to what it was.

I paused the mix and took out my phone to text my friend, Reyna. I was the only one who took drama as an elective. When I was in drama, Reyna was in extension math and Layla was in extension science. This made drama quite a lonely class as while not everyone in the class hated me, I wasn't really close with any of them.

I didn't get a reply so I assumed she was already setting up whatever prac she was going to be doing today.

I suddenly heard the sound of people and I looked up to see the expensive haircut and arrogant smug of Rian. The most obnoxious dick that ever walked the planet. He was picking on a seventh grader. I closed my laptop and tore out my headphones, on a war path straight to where Rian had shoved the kid against the wall.

"L...l...leave him the h...ell alone. A...re you that much of a pr...at and a cow...ard that you have to pick on someone who is ha...lf your size?!" I screamed at him.

"Look who it is; the slut." He sneered at me.

"St...st...Stop calling me that." I fumed.

"Why? It suits you."

Can I just state that for the record, I may be many things but a slut is not one of them. The most I'd ever done was kissed a guy.

"Shut...th...the hell up." I said "And l...leave him al...one."

"Why? He your new bedmate?" Rian leered

"NO!" I screeched

"Oh, no of course not, how could I forget. He's gay."

"Don't be...r...r...rude. I don't under...stand why boys have to call each other gay! L...ike can you think of no bet...ter insult?" I said as I began to try to pry Rian's hands off the poor boy.

"No, like he's openly gay, and I was teaching him what happens when you are open about being gay." Rian told me, his grip beginning to loosen on the boy.

I stepped on Rian's foot. He let out a cry and released the boy. The boy turned and sprinted. Rian scowled and turned to me.

"I'm mad now." He whispers leering at me "You'll have to make it up to me."

I swallow, the bell rings in the background but I barely even register. "I...I...I'm no....t sca...red of you." I say trying to sound defiant.

"Oh really?" he raises an eyebrow in a sceptical way. "Because your stutter would say different."

"D...on't be a t...wat. You kn...kn...kn...know that I use...use...usually speak l...ike this"

He shoves me hard against the wall. Out of the corner of my eye I see people starting to arrive. "Well, you still have to make up for interfering in something that wasn't your business. And I have the perfect idea how. You'll give me a nice 15 minutes of your time in the locker room." He smiles cruelly.

"L...ike hell I will." I reply

He looks me up and down "You know, I heard that your parents are never home because they're ashamed of your problem. And apparently you spend hours learning how to speak properly because you hope that if you can manage to get a huge part in some sort of movie or play or whatever, you think your parents will love you and want to come home to you. Well, let me give it to you straight. You're an unlovable freak and it's no wonder that they don't want to be around you."

Rage bubbled up inside me and before I could even think about a witty retort I had pried my arm from where it was pinned against the wall. I punched him hard in the face. Blood began to pour from his nose. He let me go and I seized my chance and pounced on him. I punched him again and again. He punched me back and I flew back hitting the wall. He ran at me and kicked and punched me a few more times. I brought my leg up and kicked his knees, making him lose his balance.

I began to punch him again. We continued to hit each other the echoes of the other students chanting "Fight!" surrounding us. On and on we continued until I felt I was yanked back from him. I struggled but whoever was holding me was stronger. The adrenaline left me and I fell limp. The person let me go and I turned to see Mr.Balmer. Before either he or I could say anything I felt a sharp pain in my back.

"RIAN!" screamed Mr.Balmer "THAT IS ENOUGH!! YOU DO NOT HIT A GIRL, PARTICULARLY WHEN HER BACK IS TURNED!!"

"Yes sir." Rian mumbled. He turned and walked away. I noticed with some satisfaction that he was limping and his nose continued to bleed. Hopefully until he shrivelled up like a prune.

"Oh and Rian, make no mistake, I know what happened, so if you decide you want to complain to the headmaster, the whole truth will come out." Mr.Balmer called after him.

Rian's pace quickened and soon he was nowhere in sight. Everyone else filed inside the classroom.

Mr.Balmer turned his attention to me.

"Are you serious Skylar? You were doing so well. You'd gone three months without an incident and you had to go ruin it!" the disappointment in his face was unbearable.

"Sir, I'm so sorry."

"Why?"

"He w...w...was pick...ing on this seventh grade who ca...me out about being gay. He was a...bout half Rian's size. I g...got him off the kid and then af...after the boy ran away, he sho...ved me against the wall and...he...well...he..." Tears began to pour down my face as my thoughts turned to my parents.

"What did he do?" Mr.Balmer asked gently.

All I could choke out was three words "M...m...mum and dad."

Mr.Balmer instantly understood and put his arms around my shoulder.

"Go to the bathroom and wash your face." He said. "When you're ready come back to class. We won't start without you there."

He let me go and I slowly limped to the bathrooms.

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