Torn » h.s./marcel

Chapter 23: Fights and Flashbacks

Chapter 23: Fights and Flashbacks

Marcel's POV

I felt like I was floating on Monday morning. I was actually looking forward to school. I wanted to see Allie again.

Since we were friends, I wondered if she would acknowledge me. Probably not, because she was still popular. But I didn't really mind. She was single. I still had a chance.

I stopped by my locker and put my bag and coat inside. I grabbed my physics books and slammed my locker shut.

For the first time, I realized that my locker hadn't been vandalized in days, even weeks. Allie had kept her promise to me of staying away from my locker. She even knew my lock combination and didn't do a thing about it.

I sat down in the back of Physics class. I opened a book and began to read as I waited for class to begin. I was already excited for the end of the day, and not just because I would get to go home.

*~*~*~*

I changed into my Phys Ed clothes in the bathroom. I never changed in the boys locker room anymore. They liked to whip me with towels and hide my clothes. It was not a pleasant experience.

I went into the gym and sat on the floor. Allie had this class. Would we talk to each other like normal people? I hoped so. I wanted to talk to her.

Allie came out of the locker room area and I sat up. She glanced around and spotted me. I gave her a tiny smile and wave. She turned her back to me and ignored me.

I frowned. What was that about? I thought Allie and I agreed that we would be scared together. I thought we would take risks together. Our friendship was risky. Why was she still doing this?

My shoulders slumped again and I looked down at my shoelaces. I knew it was too good to be true. Allie wasn't perfect, far from it. She wasn't ready. And if she wasn't ready, I never would be.

I heard footsteps advancing towards me and I looked up hopefully. Was it Allie coming to talk to me? At last!

But no, it wasn't Allie.

Adam grinned down at me, but it wasn't a friendly grin. "Hey, Marcel," he said. "How's it going?"

I looked away from him. I didn't reply. Adam kicked my shoe.

"I SAID, how's it going?"

"Not too good," I finally sighed. I drew my knees to my chest and rested my chin on my knees. Do your worst, Adam.

"That's a shame," he said, sounding none too sympathetic. "Why isn't it going good?"

"Why do you care?" I asked, looking up. I wanted to test my philosophy. Would people notice me if I spoke out?

Adam shrugged. "I don't."

He bent down and picked me up by the collar of my shirt. Oh, great. I pushed myself away from him. He let go of my shirt and I stood by myself.

"You know, I'm still kinda pissed at you for defending my stupid bitch of an ex AND crashing a pretty awesome party," he said.

"Neither of those things were my fault," I said calmly, firmly. "I just showed up at the wrong place at the wrong time. But I don't take back what I said."

A lot of people were looking at us now, including Allie. People loved to watch me get beaten. I stood up a little straighter. I wanted to prove something to Allie. But what?

I could do this, I could do this.... In all honesty, I wanted to run and hide in a hole. What did I know about standing up to a bully?

I blinked in surprise. I was smart. I knew what made bullies tick. Adam was just a dumb jock that put weaker people down when he was feeling bad. It was time that was switched around.