All The Way

Chapter Three: Lunchtime is Fun Time.

**Jack's POV**
Chemistry was as dull as usual. My lab partner, Wade, mumbled insane nonsense about a new video game he got, while I did all of the work. Mr. Hanson passed back our tests from last week, mumbling jokes as he went along. I chuckled as he handed me my test. The score caught me off guard.

"Woah, dude. You got an A," Wade gushed.

"It seems that way," I whispered, setting the test upside down on our lab table.

The bell rang to go to third period. Math Analysis dragged on longer than I wished. Finally, the bell rang releasing us to lunch. My head hung low as I walked out into the courtyard, where most people hung out at lunch. I walked over to the lunch line, waiting patiently behind several students. A group of football players walked past me, bumping me and mumbling cruel names at me. I bit my tongue, afraid my Irish sass would get me another black eye. The first week I attended school in Los Angeles, the same group of jocks beat the crap out of me just because they wanted to. Mr. Avidan had to break up the fight. I managed to get a few blows in, giving one kid a bruised rib, and another a bloody nose. However, that somehow didn't keep the bullying away.

The line moved slowly, my impatience growing by the second. I mumbled beneath my breath, causing a few passing students to stare. You would think by now, I would be used to the staring. My stomach twisted, eyes fluttering to the ground. I hated the stares. I was an anxious, fidgety mess to begin with; the judging stared only added to my nervous ticks. Finally, I made it to the front of the line, my sweaty palms squeezing the money in my hands.

"What can I get you, dear?" The kind lunch lady asked. She was my favorite. Her name was Suzy.

"Um, just a bagel, please," I mumbled, smiling shyly at her.

She nodded, and turned to grab a bagel off the side counter. The group of seniors from theater walked passed, Felix slamming hard into my shoulder. I gasped, my five dollar bill falling out of my hand. Suzy spun around, and leaned out her window, shouting at Felix to come back and apologize.

"No! No, it's fine," I exclaimed, squatting down to pick up my money.

"No it's not," Suzy said, her sweet, high voice rather stern.

I bit the inside of my cheek, and watched in horror as the group stopped, and turned to face me. Felix brushed by the group and approached me, light blue eyes glaring threateningly into my soul. I grabbed the bagel from Suzy, threw her the money, and turned to run.

"Sean?" Suzy hollered.

I ran out of the courtyard, back into the main building. I stopped running, and leaned my side against a set of lockers. Running was cowardly, but I didn't want to fight. I didn't want to get into trouble. A hand gripped my shoulder painfully, making me scream out, and leap away from the attacker. Felix grabbed my wrist, and pulled me back into the lockers, his forearm pinning me there. I flinched when he raised his fist, making the rest of the group snicker. They lingered at the doors, keeping anyone from entering the scene.

"Leave me alone!" I shouted, pushing Felix back.

He stumbled back in surprise, but quickly countered my action with a blow to the head. His knuckles connected hard against my jaw, immediately knocking me to the ground. I coughed, blood spluttering from my busted lip, jaw screaming in pain. I didn't have time to cry over my face because the air was knocked out of me from a kick in the ribs. My arms gave out, forcing me to curl into a defensive ball. He kicked. And kicked. And kicked. My vision was blurred with black dots, lungs screaming for air. All I could hear was the crude laughter of the group, and Felix cursing at me.

"Stop!" A deep voice thundered.

Surprisingly, the blows stopped, allowing me to breathe. I strained for breathes, wheezing as air filled my neglected lungs. My vision refocused, and I was able to sit up. I groaned, and clutched my burning side. I leaned my back against the lockers, looking up at the voice through teary eyes. Mark stood inches from Felix's face, screaming more swear words than I knew were possible, in his face. Felix stared, unable to rebuttal the disgusting names being thrown at him. His eyes burned with several emotions. Rage. Pain. Sadness? Guilt? Mark was burning with rage. Seeing him defend me brought a smile to my face, even if it hurt like hell.

"Fuck you, Felix," Mark finally concluded, exhausted by his own rage.

Felix grinned, "And fuck you, fag."

My stomach twisted at the insult. The most painful insult. Fag. Mark must've felt the same way because he punched Felix so hard, he fell unconscious at my feet. Mark held his hand down to me, which I took hesitantly. He pulled me to my feet, and led me down the hall, away from the mocking crowd, his hand still protectively clinging to mine.

Will update gif when I get home :) Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Aww protective Markimoo! Anyway, peace!