Roach

Chapter 1

"Gary, can you please answer the question?" Mrs. Baker asks from the front of the room.

I quickly look up to her, "C-Can you repeat the question, ma'am?" I say not realizing that she was talking to me.

She sighs, "Does Hamlet's speech to Yorick's skull represent a philosophy of death? Please try to pay attention next time, Gary."

"Um," I start only to hear some snickers. I glance down to the play searching for some sort of answers knowing that it won't give me any. "It represents how humans are fragile. Ah, Hamlet sees that all people die, that we are are all mortals."

"Good," She scans the room, looking at everyone before she settles her eyes on me again. "Now, Tommy, how does his attitude toward death differ from that of the gravediggers? Do you think that he sees something different from the gravediggers?"

I take a sigh of relief, she's looking behind me. I can live with that. Tommy starts to stutter the answer, giving his own opinion and what not on the subject. Meanwhile, I zone out again. I glance back down to the play, skimming the lines. Trying to figure out why Hamlet didn't just solve his problems faster. I mean he waited so long to do something about his situation, why. If he wanted Claudius dead then why hesitate.

Class is dismissed within the hour. I gather my things and walk out of the room only to be confronted by some kids. They start harassing me though I mostly ignore them. Well, that's before one of them pushes me against the wall. My backpack falls to the ground and I see a grin appear on the kids faces. "Awe come on, Gary, you knew this was going to happen." One of them says.

"Just give us what we want and we'll leave you alone," the other chimes in.

I shake my head, "I-I won't be bullied by the likes of you."

"Are ya sure bout that?" The first asks.

I've seen something like this play out before, well I've seen the end of it. These guys have been pushing students around for a while now. I have to do something. "I-I'm sure!" I say, now thinking of ways to get out of the situation. The second bully picks up my bag and starts to go through it. "Hey, let go of that!" I say grabbing my bag back.

The first one quickly grabs my shirt, pulling me close to him, "Pretty ballsy move, Gary. Too bad it's in vein." His free hand moves back, getting ready to hit me. Thinking fast, I kick him away from me. He stumbles back soon falling to the ground. I turn to the second bully, I have to get my bag back. I move over to him, dodging his attempted punches, only to grab my bag from him and push him away from me. I run down the hall, apologizing to kids that I accidentally push over.

I run out of the school. I'm a little out of breath, but I made it away from them. Kids start to pass me, having their own conversations and what not. I see as parents wait in cars to pick up their kids, as well as a few buses lined up. I try to make it off of school grounds as fast as I can. I can't let those bullies catch me again.

When I get home, I go directly up to my room. I put my bag by the desk that I have in there then lay down on my bed. I close my eyes, I'm usually the first one home so this gives me time to sleep before doing stuff. A few minutes pass before I hear my door swing open. I sit up to see my brother. I groan a little before laying back down. He has his arms crossed.

"Shouldn't you of stayed after school for practice?" I ask, he's on the school football team and they usually have practice. Well they have practice more in the spring and it's the spring. I also thought they had a game this weekend.

"I would of been until I hear someone say you were getting bullied," he says with a hint of concern in his voice.

"What's this? The great, popular, Callum is concerned for his younger brothers well being? I'm shocked." I grin making him push me a little.

"Chill out Gary, I just wanted to make sure you weren't hurt."

"I'm touched."

"I sense sarcasm."

I laugh, "I'm being serious, thank you for caring Cal, but I'm fine. I promise. I handled the situation."

"Alright," he sighs, "I trust you, but if you get in trouble-"

"For being bullied?"

"Just stay safe, Gary, that's all I ask."

"I will, don't worry." He smiles, soon leaving me. I sigh, at least he can be caring.

I lay in my room staring at my ceiling for a while. Like, I intended to get some sleep since I was exhausted but I never did. I assumed that I didn't have homework, probably a bad assumption, so I just laid in bed thinking.

I eventually get hungry, so I go down to the kitchen. I see mum serving my brother food then sitting down with her own plate. I guess I'll serve myself, again. When I walk past mum, she grabs my arm. I look over to her, she looks scared out of her mind. "G-Gary...?" She asks.

"Yes mum?" I reply trying to smile but can't. Mum's face is making me worry.

"A-Are you really going to do it?"

"Do what?"

"J-Join the Royal Air Force, like you f-father, like your g-grandfather."

"You know I've always been considering it-"

"P-Please don't. I-I don't want to see you d-die too..."

I'm quiet for a second before saying, "Mum, did you have another episode again...?" Her grip on my arm tightens. "I-I'm sorry." I tell her before I get out of her grasp. I get some food then join them at the table. "Mum?" I ask.

"Y-Yes Gary?"

"I'm sorry."

She slightly nods then stares at her dinner. I look over to Cal, who just shrugs. I look down to my plate. I still want to join, be a part of something bigger than myself. I want to help people, I just hope Cal can handle mum by himself.