The Pursuit of Happiness

21. Welcome Home?

(Edd)

I was running as fast as I could down one of the school's hallways. I was wheezing so heavily it was as if my heart was going to explode.

*Don't give up now Eddward. Keep running!*

I looked back to see Tyler Walker, a running back for the football team, chasing after me. He was quickly gaining speed.

*Good lord! Why does it have to be a running back?!*

"You can't outrun me forever faggot!" He yelled.

He's right, I knew I couldn't. I was never able to outrun any one of my bullies. However, the look of hatred in. Tyler's as he called me hurtful names was enough to strike a gut-wrenching fear. I couldn't let him cat me.

I took a right turn and shrieked in panic when I discovered it was a dead end. I quickly spun around to find another exit. Much to my horror, Tyler was standing in my way, with a huge grin on his face.

"Uh oh, looks like someone made a wrong turn." Tyler lets out a laugh so maniacal that I couldn't stop shaking.

"This is gonna be fun" the running back starts cracking his knuckles.

"S-surely we can c-come to some sort of an a-agreement Tyler." I stuttered, walking backwards. My back had hit a row of lockers. I slid down, trying to make myself invisible. A futile attempt of course.

"P-please...d-don't." I whispered. I covered my face, waiting for the inevitable impact of Tyler's fist. But it didn't come.

"....Why did you do it dork?"

I snapped my head up to see Kevin standing where Tyler was. It was a huge relief to see him. However, something was different about him. He looked...fragile, which is a word I thought I would never associate him with. Those perfect emerald green eyes had lost their shine. They were dull and completely red.

*Was Kevin crying?*

"How could you kiss him?" He asked, his voice was hoarse and lifeless.

"Kevin...I thought he was you." I answered, trying to avoiding his painful gaze. My own set of tears started to stream down my face.

"You've never loved me." He said shaking his head. I immediately jumped up.

"That's not true Kevin! I've always loved you!" I tried to walk towards him, but I couldn't move. My legs were so heavy.

"No, you're lying Edd. You've never did." Kevin turned his back to me.

"Go be with Preston, Dork." He started walking away.

"No! Kevin! Please wait!" I shouted after him. I desperately pulled on my legs, trying to get them to move forward, but it was as if they were made of lead.

Kevin was now further away and I couldn't do anything about it.

"No!! Kevin!" I screamed. I jerked so hard to free my legs that I fell face forward on the floor.

When I lifted up my head, I realized that I was in my dimly lit room on the floor. Immediately my head started spinning and I felt extremely nauseous. I groaned in agony.

*That was... a dream?*

With one hand, I used the edge of my bed to assist me in getting back up.

I felt so weak that I could barely stand up on my own. The pounding in my head was so loud and ten times worst than when I was running from Preston and passed out. I've never felt like this before. My head was killing me.