Thorns

ł22

When Ethan got on the bus, he instantly sat in the first seat he saw open. He shoved his backpack into the corner of the seat and laid his head on top of it. His eyes shut and tried to fall back asleep.

Tobi shook his head. The bus is a great place to socialize. He looks at all the other kids further back talking and laughing. Why does Ethan isolate himself from everyone? Tobi ponders this for awhile. The kids seem to be nice. Is Ethan the problem?

The bus came to a slow stop in front of the school. All the kids start to get off except Ethan who is still sound asleep. No one passing by bothers to wake him up. Nor do they even notice him.

"Ethan. Ethan. Ethan." Tobi repeatedly whispers. He knows Ethan can't hear him but Tobi can still affect him in small ways. Eventually, Ethan's eyes flutter open. He glances around before hearing the bus doors shut and the engine start up again. He quickly gathers his things as the bus pulls aways from the school. Tobi runs to the front as if he can do something about it.

"Wait wait! I'm still here! Don't leave yet!" Ethan shouts, popping up from his seat. The bus driver slams on the break causing Ethan and Tobi to almost fall over. The old man grumbles something before opening the doors. "Thank you!"

Ethan sprints down the sidewalk. Tobi flies to the front of the building yelling,

"Come on, Ethan! Let's go, let's go! You can do it!"

Ethan makes it into the building with two minutes to spare. However, he still has to run up two flights of stares to get to the third floor, where his first class is. Tobi notices people laugh at Ethan jog up the steps.

Why is that so funny?

The two walk into the class together only one minute late. The teacher didn't seem to really care that much. They just tapped away at their computer. Ethan takes his seat amongst the sea of students, waiting for class to start.

Throughout the period, Ethan doodles in his notebook but Tobi is too fascinated by the physics being taught to notice what the ginger boy is drawing.

When class ends Ethan is the first to leave, bolting out of the room to beat traffic. Soon enough, the other classes are let out and the students flood the hallways. Ethan bumps shoulders with another, older guy.

"Watch where you're going, fat fuck." The guy scowls. Both continue walking in opposite directions.

"Let me die in peace." he sighs. Ethan isn't fat; Tobi thinks to himself. People are really mean around here. Even if Ethan could make a friend who would want to be friends with these people? Tobi starts to feel discouraged.

"Hey, Ethan!" Someone calls out. Tobi's slumped shoulders straighten up. A boy with messy black hair strides over to Ethan. "How's your mom doing?"

"Fuck off, Callux." Ethan hisses. Tobi frowns.

"That's not a very polite response." Tobi murmurs to himself.

"She still a peng ting? She interested in younger guys?" Callux harasses the shorter boy. Ethan doesn't make eye contact.

"What? You don't want me as your dad?" Callux towers over Ethan. "Huh?" He shoves Ethan's shoulder. Tobi watches in annoyance, unable to do anything. "At least I'd actually be there for you as a dad. Look at yourself. No wonder he gave up on you." The words slid off of his tongue like poison. Like a snake wrapping around you and then striking. Callux walks away, his stare burning into Ethan.

Ethan remains still, letting out the breath he was holding in. Tobi now understands why Ethan cursed at him earlier.

How is Tobi supposed to find Ethan a friend if no one likes him? That's when Tobi realized how difficult this task is gonna be.