The Mind Trap.

Lair.

"Yo, dude. Did you hear that David ended up in the hospital because of you?" Jake questioned anxious to know if I had found out. His voice was low and happy filled with bliss.

"No. Bro are you serious?" I replied to him my voice was shocked thinking that David was going to kill me once he gets out of that hospital. Jake nodded his head answering the question I had asked him before.

"Oh, so that's why he wasn't in school for the past week, or is it two. I don't know." I said as Jake nodded slowly once again.

I groaned not wanting to hear more and carry on the topic.

"His dad was so pissed, really pissed. You're just lucky his dad didn't come after you." He continued completely ignoring my 'I want you to stop' groan and chuckled thinking that his response was humorous.

"Bro that's not funny, stop laughing!" I commanded my voice firm and deep filled with disgust.

"Okay, okay I'm sorry." He pleaded, pouting before chuckling under his breath.

I passed my hands gently brushing through my long, ginger brown, ivy league hair.

"What have I done?" I groaned regretting my decisions leaning back in my chair, my hands still passing through my hair. I looked up staring aimlessly at the ceiling of my classroom resting my free hand under my head for support.

My mind was thinking about two situations at the same time. The first being about David and the second one concerned my mother.

I haven't seen her in days, I knew she was home but since I started this school here my life had changed for the better. I got so much homework everyday sadly but I'm glad knowing that there's a lack of abuse.

At the end of the school day I would go to the library staying until ten. My library often considered students, so they stayed open until twelve midnight. Some nights if I felt to I'll even stay until they were closed.

I was so glad that I didn't have to see my mother but the ghost-thoughts still haunted me every single night hence the reason why I stayed until the library closed, knowing I won't sleep due to the nightmares.

The feeling was new to me, it was a feeling I hadn't feel in years, it was peace. Well at home for now, excluding the memories. I wish these memories would disappear like magic.

I was just tasting the horrors of this sour school.

"Hey bro chill a little. It was just a joke that backfired. Please forgive. And you fought David to save our lives so be thankful and thanks for that." Jake pleaded his ashy eyes widen and he tried to make a sad puppy face.

I broke into laughter staring at how ridiculous he looks," Yeah, I forgive you and thanks for the support." I said just above a whisper as my eyes clouded with a shallow puddle of tears.

"How did you find what I said so funny, it was an apology. It's not suppose to be funny!" Jake chattered as his voice grow louder.

"I'm fully aware that it was an apology but not with that face of yours it's not." I chuckled just before he let out a loud scoff and rolled his eyes, turning to the opposite direction, his hands wrapped firmly across his chest.
                            
                           ******

"Hey. You're the boy who caused David to end up in the hospital." A boy said stopping me in the middle of eating my lunch. It was the usual, ham sandwich with lettuce.

I didn't get any money to buy something that doesn't taste like a bowl of water down ketchup but it was edible and had to do.

I swallow the bile of food that was in my mouth and sighed, just wanting to eat in peace.