"Orlando Keith Sanchez! What a lovely surprise." Dean's loud voice boomed through the the hallways of Prise High School. All students stopped loitering about to watch what Dean would do to the poor nerd this time. I instead focused on packing away rest of my books away. It wasn't long before my locker door was banged closed nearly severing my fingers in the process.
"What's wrong Sanchez? You scared?" I ignored his ranting and made my way around the meat head only to find myself surrounded by a semi-circle of on lookers and Dean's squad of goons all wearing the school blue and grey football jacket. I tried to get through but they had they're feet firmly planted to the ground.
"Whats wrong... I only wanna talk." His voice was low and menacing. My shoulders slumped in defeat as I turned to face him.
"What do you want Dean?" I displayed my full annoyance to try and get my message across. I could feel the eyes of all those around me look on in amusement, pity, and some satisfaction.
"How about that homework assignment...Your late." There was a dark edge in his eyes. A look I knew all to well.
"Dude I keep telling you this! 'Can' is spelt with a C not a K" My voice dripped with sarcasm. A chorus of ooh's emitted from the surrounding crowd. Even a snicker or two from his goons but they quickly covered it up with a cough.
"You got balls Sanchez."
"I thinks that's what all humans of the male gender have Dean." Cue the ooh's. If you ever watched cartoons as a kid you'd know that steam would most probably roll out of the characters ears and they're face would turn red? Well ladies and gentleman, I think Disney got something right. And being stupid me old me despite the whole nerd thing. I had opened my big mouth and added gas to the already raging fire.
"Unless of course humanity missed one." Laughter erupted but my victory was short lived when Dean's fist collided with stomach. The sickening sound silenced the halls and the force of the blow shoving all sources of air out the window.
I crashed face first on the cold floor with a resounding thump. I lay there gasping for air with a smug looking Dean standing over me. I finally gasped in a lungful of air but that only resulted in another wave of pain. They all snicker at my futile position.
"Stay down Sanchez." Defiantly I balled up my fists and pushed off the ground bending my knees to prop myself up. "I said stay down!" This time time he raised his fist for my face. But I didn't block, instead I looked him directly in the eyes with a menacing snare. He looked taken aback but didn't stop. His fist collided with my left cheek whipping my head to the side. I was dazed for a second but shook it off.
I tried to get up again which only resulted in another punch. This time there was no laughter. No snide remarks. No jokes. It seems that they're starting to see that this is no joke, this is real. I looked around me but they all seem to much of a coward to do anything. Some had horror and guilt while other had helplessness written all over they're faces.
I turned back to Dean with a determined look on my face. But this time when I tried to stand I received a kick in the chest knocking me on my back. And everyone visibly winced at the sound.
This time I couldn't get up. Dean seemed to know that but my laboured breathing and walked off like he owned the world. Along with he's wannabes. I rolled onto my side with a groan. I can tell i honestly have a few new bruises to add to the collection.
Nobody tried to help. Who would? I'm just the skinny, lanky nerd from the Projects. And they were right, I am that guy. I pushed up onto my knees and reached up to the lockers support. "Damn!" I cursed under my breath. A petite pair of hands wrapped around my chest helping me to my feet.
"You okay?" The person asked. She sounded genuinely concerned. I nodded but didn't turn to face her. "Your nose is bleeding!" She exclaimed in horror.
"Huh.. Go figure." I snickered.
"Here, let me." She ruffled through her bag.
I turned to her but leaned against the the lockers. She had long blonde hair with brown roots. Flawless pail skin and deep blue eyes. Almost like lapis. She held sanitary wipes in her hand.
Instead of handing them over she wiped off my left cheek the proceeded below my nose. It kind of felt awkward so I placed my hand over hers and grabbed the wipes. Her touch seemed to linger for a while before dropping it to her side.
"Uhmm.. You need to get to the nurses office. C'mon its just around the corner. Can you walk?" I gave a slow node but I kept wondering why she's being nice to me. We walked the all to familiar path to the nurses office.
"So... What's your name?" She turned to me with a sweet smile.
"Abigail Walker. And your Orlando right?" She asked.
"Yeah... But pls call me Keith. I would say that's what my friends call me but... Well you get the point." I snickered.
"Trust me I know" I began to notice the way she kept her head low and never made eye contact with anyone. She wore all black clothes with a over sized hoodie and I can only guess she's used to hiding behind it.
We approached the nurses office. Abigail was about to knock but I simply opened the door. I was greeted by the middle aged women with grey brown hair with strays of grey and greying green eye's. Despite her age she's a real peachy person.
"Oh... Orlando! What a nice vis-What did those people do to you now!?" She exclaimed once she caught sight of my newly decorated face.
"Marry calm down its only a scratch or two" I rubbed my temples at her high pitched scream. And yes we're on a first name basis now. Due to how many times I had to visit here.
"Scratch!!" They both exclaimed in since.
"Damn guys. You'll give me a migraine!" They shot me a look before Marry noticed the extra life form in the room.
"Well I see you brought a lady to see the parents." She flashed her signature smirk and winked. We both noticeably blushed.
"No she's just a...friend?" It was more a question then a statement.
"Hi I'm Abigail." She smiled.
"Aww... Such a cutty." Marry smiled sweetly while I just rolled my eyes.
"Hello... Someone on they're death bed here" I called out actually desperate to get out of here.
" Ow Hush" lightly smacked my arm and I faked hurt.
"Jeez another bruise." Abigail snickered from the corner.
After mending my wounds and two aspirins, I was more then happy to leave this stupid school. I know what your thinking. 'But your a nerd. Nerds love school.' Right? Right. Wrong! I hate it, finish there.
"You guys sure you aren't related?" Abigail asked for the third time.
"Unfortunately. But I do have that motherly love for him. Even if he ain't mine." For the first time in a while I smiled. An actual smile but from the corner of my eye I did notice Abigail bit her lower lip and look away a little sad.
"Oh.. By the way I have cookies in my bag if you want" Marry offered. I immediately perked up.
"Chocolate Chip?" She wiggled her brows in response.
I bolted from the examining board and straight to her purse. I lifter the transparent tapa wear cover and inhaled the scent of the Delicious goods.
"Love you Marry"
"Your welcome. Now leave before your sister gets worried. And say hi for me!" She called as we walked out the door.
Just another day..? Yeah right.
