Being You

Chapter 11

Jeremy was getting sleepy by the time they got to first period, which was English. Ella, however, had returned to her usual state of unstoppable energy, and had struck up a conversation with some student that Jeremy didn't recognise. Maybe now that she's lost her fake friends she can make some real ones, he thought.

He linked his fingers and stretched his hands out in front of him, scanning the room. He noticed that Jay and Brandon had arrived late, probably for their first day back at school after their suspension. The two were chatting with Amy and a guy with messy blond hair and stretchers. At that moment Jeremy saw Jay's eyes meet his, and his heart froze. Jay's gaze was hard and focussed, like a snake's unblinking stare before it lunged. Jeremy quickly dipped his head to face his textbook, the words spinning in front of him as he fought to squash his utter fear. His heart raced and his palms were sweaty. He stood up suddenly and dashed to the classroom door, breathlessly saying, "Bathroom" as an excuse to the teacher as he left. However, once he reached the hallway, he started running, wanting to get further away.

Jeremy found himself at the back of the gym where he had always sat with Ella on her bad days. Normally he didn't panic in the middle of class even when Jay was there, but after the fight and after such a strange few days, his nerves were totally shot. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, trying to slow his breathing.

Unexpectedly, he heard footsteps on the path down the side of the gym. Three pairs of footsteps.

"He must be around here." A male voice. Maybe it was that blond kid from class?

"I wanna find that little faggot and smash his face in," growled a female voice. Amy?!

Jeremy's eyes widened in alarm as he heard Jay and Brandon's voices chime in, and he started running again.

"I heard him!" Brandon shouted gleefully.

"Fuck," Jeremy wheezed, rounding the corner of the building. He'd never been much of a runner.

"He's not getting away this time," Jay roared threateningly. "I'll make that little bitch pay for getting me suspended!"

Jeremy reached the front of the gym, and decided in a split second to make a break for the science block across a stretch of grass. "There he is, the little fucker!" yelled Blondie. Hearing pounding feet draw closer behind him, Jeremy pushed harder, sprinting as fast as he could. He skidded through the door to the science block and took a hard right, intending to disappear through the maze of corridors. He wasn't quick enough though, obviously, because a hand grabbed the hem of his shirt and yanked him backwards so that he fell back against a wall. Something hard was sticking painfully into his back. A door handle? He didn't have time to think before he was pulled to his feet by his hair.

Brandon, who was the fastest of the four pursuers, was the one who'd caught him. Jeremy tried to wriggle out of his grip but pain radiated from his scalp with even the slightest movement. A tiny whimper escaped his lips before he sealed them tight, determinedly holding onto the small shred of pride he had left. "That's right, you keep quiet, you little pussy," sneered Brandon, pushing him up against the wall and grabbing his throat.

Jay, Blondie and Amy arrived, puffing. They all had a cruel glint to their eyes which made Jeremy shiver with fear. "Jeremy, Jeremy." Jay said his name maliciously, seeming to savour the sound on his tongue. "I really feel like I could break your arms right now." He leapt towards Jeremy with fists raised and the smaller boy let out an involuntary sound in fear, shutting his eyes tight. But no impact came. He opened his eyes, hearing cruel laughter; Jay had feinted to frighten him. Angry tears of humiliation rose in his eyes but he refused to cry.

"No, this time he'll break your arm," Amy grinned, her predatory gaze taking in his pitiful appearance. Jeremy felt Brandon's grip shift on him and he tried to bolt, but the boy's forearm slammed across his neck, leaving him to cough and fall weakly against the wall.