The Other Side

Chapter 2

"Danny,"

I nearly jumped out of my seat from the sound of Mr. Holland's voice.

Some kids giggled. Some gave me awkward looks. Others were too involved with their doodling to pay attention any day in here. But none of this was new to me at all.

I must've fell asleep during what he was teaching, because I didn't remember a damn thing on that board. I already didn't get much sleep last night, but the heat, my long sleeves, and jeans, were making me more tired than I was.

"Can you tell me what I'm going to next in this equation?"

I was completely lost.

"I don't know.."

"What kind of polynomial is this?"

I shook my head.

"How about what the constant is?"

I stared at my hands, shaking my head again.

"Why are you not paying attention in my class?" Mr. Holland looked at me with a stern frown painted across his face.

I shrugged.

"You're in this class to learn, not sleep or slack off, correct?"

No, I'm in this class because another math class is required this year, and this is the easiest thing they would let me take.

I nodded.

"Then I would suggest paying attention,"

I nodded again. I didn't want to deal with him right now. Hell, I didn't even want to be here now.

The bell rang before he could say anything else. I grabbed my bag, and rushed out the door as he yelled the homework at us. Or at least I attempted to rush.

"Danny," I turned at the edge of the door. "Come back in. I want to talk to you before your next class."

I didn't want to go back in, but I did. I only rush because when there's more people in the hallways with me, I'm less likely to get hurt. And yes, I do mean hurt. Physically hurt. But if I'm just barely late Nick, Alex, Ash, and Jay could catch up to me, and find me easier.

"I hope you realise that with the way you're doing in school right now, you won't get a good paying job anywhere. Do you realise that?" Mr. Holland asked when everyone was gone.

I did, but that didn't matter to me. What's the point in spending time on your future when you know you won't have one.

I didnt say anything.

"I would like to help you get those grades back up. I've looked at your NECAP and NWEA test scores from middle school, and you're a smart kid. You just need to pay attention more."

You don't understand. That was middle school. Fucking middle school. Just like you said. That was when my dad was alive, when my stepdad wasn't even a thought. Doug was never in my life then. I had friends. No bullies. A good life then.

"But, I can only help you if you let me. Right now you don't seem to be letting anyone help you."

"I realise that," I was done letting him lecture me. "Maybe I don't want to be helped. I don't have a future ahead of me."

"Of course you have a future. Everyone does. But you need to get your grades up before you can consider anything else."

"No, it's not that I think I don't have a future. I know I don't. So thank you for trying to help, but I'm late for music. So if you'd excuse me.." I motioned to the door.

"Alright, you're free to go."

I left without saying anything. Now my only priority was to avoid Nick, Alex, Ash, and Jay in the hallway.

It was only down the hallway, past the cafeteria, and through the hallway and I would be there. Math to music class isn't that far of a distance.

You know you'll get hurt. It doesn't matter how close it is, they're always there.

Shut up.

I walked down the empty hallways as fast as I could, nearly tripping over my feet a couple times.

I was almost there when a force slammed against my body into a row of lockers.

I told you you wouldn't make it.

"Well, well look what we have here." Alex mocked. "What are you doing in the halls at this time?"

"Leave me alone," I said, but my voice was more shaky than confident.

"Nah. Sorry, not sorry."

"Then what do you want?" I dared myself to look up even just a little, and I did.

Alex smirked. "You know that the hallways are ours at this time, right? I think we've said this before. But it looks like someone needs a lesson."

Jay slammed me into the locker behind me as Nick and Ash grabbed my wrists, holding them over my head. I knew it was better to not fight and get less hurt than I would if I did. I made the mistake of not knowing the first few times and went home with a sprained wrist.

Alex got close enough that I could feel his breath on my face. "Anything you want to say first, fag?"

"No. Just do it." Because I already knew what was coming, and I didn't want to be here any longer than I had to.

I felt the first strike of a punch against my jaw. Blood came from my lip, but i knew it would. And there would be more soon.

•••

Sooo it's kinda a short chapter. I'm sorry it took so long to make this one. I was into writing it but then I didn't know how to write the rest so it took a while.

I didn't really want to go into detail with the fight but I feel like i should have. Idk what do you think?

Vote if you like it so far, and comment if you have any questions. I'll probably start the 3rd chapter/part tonight.