Let's Be Friends

4:

      I was walking down the hallways to my locker, I had to pick up a book before I went to English class. I spotted the kid from my science class. He was holding a textbook to his chest like a shield and two guys were walking on either side of him.

     I could tell right away that they were definitely not saying 'nice' things to him. Maybe because of his expression, maybe because of theirs, or because they kept leaning on him weird and tugging at him, as they got closer I heard the word 'Fag'. Honestly, I didn't even know you could say fag so much in one sentence.

      Nobody near them seemed to notice them but me. They passed me and I heard some worse things too. Things I wouldn't dare put down in writing. I stopped in my tracks, turned around and followed them. 

      I managed to get in front of the three of them and stopped them. "Hey, why are you saying stuff like that? That's not okay." I'd never actually stood up to people much before but I'm pretty well built for a kid my age so I guess I could've any time I wanted.

      "What're you worrying for, ain't none of your business anyways." One guy said with a grin. 

      I saw the boy who's name started with an F looked down, his pretty green eyes dark, like he'd punch them both if he were bigger and more capable. It made me angry. That he couldn't do anything. That he felt helpless. That these guys didn't even care.

      "Well I think it is my business when a good friend of mine gets called something like that. I think, if anything, you have no business bothering him or me, or anyone." 

      They looked at each other then loosened their grip on the boy and grumbled something about us not being worth their time anyways and I once more heard the term 'fag'. But they left. I felt really powerful, watching them leave.

      I turned to the boy, who was looking down at his feet, still clutching the textbook to his chest. "You okay?"

     "They didn't hurt me."

     "Yeah but- never mind. What's your name?"

     "Finn. I thought you might know my name if we were such good friends." I smiled.

     "I'm no good with names. Sorry." I watched as he picked at the edge of his textbook that was coming apart, revealing the cardboard like material underneath the shiny colored cover.

     "You're in my science class." I said, not getting a response from him. I watched as his curly brown bangs fell in front of his face a little bit as he still refused to look up at me.

     "Yeah. I'm gonna be late if I don't get to class."

     "Oh sorry. It's just- my name's Lukas. Wanna be friends or something?" He looked at me like I was literally insane, but hey, at least he was looking at me now.

      "Okay sure." Finn said, he shifted his backpack slightly, looking around. The hall had cleared out mostly and we were practically the only ones standing there. "Yeah sounds good. I'll be your friend." He paused and looked at me again,"You sure  you wanna be friends with me? I get picked on a lot." 

     "I know-I mean I saw." I sighed,"Sorry I'm not good at talking to people. But yeah, I don't care. Maybe I can help you out some, you know- with the bullies?" He said nothing, looking down at his shoes once more, picking at his textbook. "Does that happen a lot?" I asked him.

     "What?  Yeah of course."

     "Of course?"

     "Yeah. I mean there's no way you won't get picked on if you aren't straight at this school."