When You Smile -TomTord Fic-

Chapter 5

<Tom’s POV>

I managed to walk Tord to his homeroom. Thankfully my homeroom was in the classroom next to his, so it didn't look like I was going out of my way to do anything. That would've been awkward, to say the least.

But hey, the poor kid was scared shitless just by looking at me. Who knows what he's been through?

Homeroom was boring as fuck, as per usual. The whole time I was doodling on my arm in a pen that wrote in Navy blue ink. Some squiggles here, some shapes there, I didn't plan out my pictures like Edd did. I just went ahead to wing it every time. I wasn't very good, anyway.

Yet, despite the relaxing distraction of drawing on my arm, I couldn't help but wonder..

What in the fucking world could have made Tord so skittish?

I was forcibly snapped back into the world we call reality when the bell screeched its blaring beeps throughout the room.

I got up, slung my checkered and navy colored bookbag across my shoulder and left the room to my next class. I figured I would just ask Tord about things if I saw him at lunch..

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I was walking down the hallway to the mathematics wing when I heard a loud THUD against the lockers in the vicinity.

“Heya, guys! Look at the new kid! ‘S scared out of his mind! Hahaha!”

“Oh look at the little guy, crying and curled up in a ball like a little baby!”

“Du jævla dyr! (You damn animals!) La meg være i fred! (Leave me alone!)”

“Speak English, kid! This ain't China!”

Another loud thump on the lockers accompanied by the unmistakable sounds of someone getting hit in the stomach flipped the switch. I began pushing my way through students to get to the source of the noise, hearing kids give me angry comments to just go back to their chanting in support of the perpetrators of the situation.

I pulled the main kid aside and stepped in front of the kid getting kicked, who was none other than Tord. He had tears flowing down his cheeks like a waterfall, his breathing shaky and uneven as he tried to desperately calm it. He was huddled over himself, his knees pulled up to his chest as he bent over clutching his stomach in an attempt to instinctively protect the injured area.

I felt a monstrous yank of empathy at my chest. That empathy quickly turned to rage as I turned to face the kid responsible, a kid named Lars ter Snell.

I pushed Lars back in blinded fury. His stocky body leaned forward in preparation for an expected attack.

“What the fuck, Lars? Can't you go one fucking day without trying to beat the living shit out of a kid who's shorter or skinnier than you? Pick on someone your own damn size for once; I'm tired of your bullshit!”

“Oh come on, Tom! It's not like you're innocent of the same shit you're harping on me for. Heh, I know for a fact you would do anything to see one of your bitch exes crumble underneath your blinding fury!”

“And how do you know that? How do you know what's going through anyone's head? I can see why Paul hates you so much now.”

Lars, obviously consumed by a sudden fit of rage, threw a swing at my face. I quickly blocked the strike and kneed him in the gut, causing him to double over and cough.

“Leave Tord alone, Lars. He's not your punching bag. He's human like the rest of us. Now leave my sight.”

“Err. Fine. But don't come asking me for help in your next fight.”

And with that he was off.

I turned back to Tord, who had the same awestruck expression as this morning when I made my promise to protect him. I squatted down to look less intimidating, and offered to help him up. Thankfully, he accepted without much hesitation.

“You okay, Tord? Sounded like you got kicked pretty hard.”

“Y-yes,” he coughed. “I'm fine, thank you. You should get to class, no? I'm already going to be late. You should try to be on time.”

“Nu-uh, man. Not until you're to class without another kid trying to beat you.”

“It's okay, Tom. Really. I'll be fine, I'm used to it..”

Okay, that comment piqued my interest. He's used to getting beat up? I most definitely had something to talk to him about now.

“No. I'm walking you to class. Once you're there safely I'll go. We can talk more at lunch. I have some questions I need to ask.”

“Oh.. okay.. Shall we go..?”

“Yes. Let's go.”

I motioned him forward and we walked to his Psychology class. Afterwards I made my way to World History.

All the while I kept thinking to myself.

What sort of hell has Tord been through?

A/N: Chapter is finally out!! I'm going to make a new part for the voting on Tord’s father's name. I have a list in place already ;)
I'll also make the 1K reads art a bit later. I was in the Sacramento area for the weekend for an annual family event.. so I haven't made it yet xD plus I procrastinate on literally everything I do.
It's a bad habit..