Courage

Chapter 2

I woke up the next day to find a new notebook on my bedside table. I eagerly opened it to the first page and found:

Eva,

I am so glad you found my journal, I was starting to feel hopeless. The bullying is getting worse and I am desperate for some help. If I could ask you a favor it would be to help me. Please help me in any way you can.

Love, Oliver

*

The thought, well now the fact, that my sweet, gentle brother was being bullyed tore my heart, but it also made me angry. Whoever was hurting my brother like this was a jerk.

I thought about how to reply and then wrote:

Oliver,

I am going to fix this no matter what it takes. The first thing I need to know is who is bullying you and how they are bullying. I would definitely be willing to talk to you but it might be more comfortable for you to write. I know how this feels, but you need to hang in there and stay strong. This will end soon. Whoever would dare to bully you is a total jerk.

Love, Eva

*

I put my head in my hands and my thoughts took over my mind.

*

At school I could not focus. "The answer to number 19 please Eva?" I faintly heard my name but i was still staring out into the cloudy sky deep into my clouded thoughts.

"Eva!" Alena nudged me and I broke from my trance to find all eyes on me.

"O-oh! um t-the answer t-to problem..." I stuttered.

"Alena fill her in please, "Mrs. Olson said.

"Problem 19" Alena whispered.

Oh shoot! I forgot to do my homework! "Uh...I forgot to do my homework..."

"Mmm hmm..." Mrs. Olson gave me that "Better get it done next time" look

*

By the end of the day things had gone so bad I felt like crying. "Hey Eve you seem a little outta sorts today, wanna come over to my house?" Alena looked concerned.

"I can't today sorry, "I said.

Alena nodded and then whispered, "Call me kay?"

I nodded and then turned on my heel to go find Oliver. When I found him my eyes about popped out of their sockets. Oliver was up against the wall with a black eye and a boy standing above him and threatening him. "Hey!" I yelled pushing the boy away from my brother.

The boy looked alarmed, "o-ok," he stuttered.

"No it's not ok! You apologize right now!" 

"I'm sorry," the boy said obviously not sorry.

I grabbed his arm and tugged him all the way to the principals office. I knocked on the door and I heard a "come in!"

I thrust open the door and we all came in the bully staring down at his shoes. He was a big burly kid who looked very insecure. Compared to Oliver he looked like an adult, my brother was a small thin boy with big blue eyes and blond hair. I looked just like Oliver, long blond hair and big blue eyes. 

When principal McGreen saw Oliver's eye she rushed over to him and asked him if he was ok, and got some ice for him and sat him down on a beanbag. When she saw the bully her eyes narrowed and her kind smile turned to a crude frown. "Tell me what happened miss Eva," Mrs. McGreen insisted.

I took a deep breath and began, "I was walking down the hall to find Oliver and walk home when I saw him up against the wall with Jack standing over him,"I had learned the boys name when Mrs. McGreen saw him, I continued, "He was yelling threats at my brother and then I saw Oliver's black eye and could see that Jack had done that recently. I just learned yesterday that Oliver was being bullied and I am not happy with this."

Mrs. McGreen nodded as she took it all in. "And Oliver how long has Jack been bullying you?"

"Since third grade, "Oliver sniffed, and this whole time Jack had said nothing.

Mrs. McGreen nodded and dismissed Oliver and I,and she stayed to talk with Jack.

We walked home silently, shuffling my feet in sorrow as we ascended up the hill. "Please don't tell Mom and Dad, they will make a big deal of it and then the bullying will get worse," Oliver peeped out.

I nodded scarcely but that was one promise I couldn't make.

*****

Thank you soooo much for reading!! Chapter 3 will be coming soon!!:)

-Taylor:)