A Musician To Be Reckoned With

| Chapter 14 | Empathy

> Picture of Aeron Kingson <

School has finally ended and a huge smile was on my face as I close the door of my locker. Unlike yesterday where I had trouble in every corner I turned to, today was pleasantly nice. I did not get into trouble with any of the teachers, but there were a few glares time to time from a few specific ones. Mr Hendricks has changed slightly from how he treated me as he would give me glances time to time and not bother me. Though I liked the silence he allows me to have, I didn't feel great with the hints of pity. 

Students have been giving me more looks as they would whisper with each other, obviously about me. Securing my belongings, I begin heading over to the front door of the school to return back home. A frown appears on my face as I hear loud noises nearby getting me to think about ignoring it, but then a familiar voice replies. My eyes widen before I dash over to the direction of where the voices are. Appearing at the freshmen hallway, I search every classroom before finding the boy I was looking for. Slamming the door open, I lean the door frame looking at the group of boys who turn to look at me.

"Well, looks like there's also bullies here, huh?" I whistle seeing the boys look like children caught stealing a jar of cookies, "It's quite disappointing."

The one who I believe is the leader of the group snaps out of his daze and chuckles, "So what are you going to do about it? You're just as a trouble maker than us."

"That may be true," I walk forward, "but the way I make trouble does not relate to violence, yet. And I would gladly do so right now."

"Oh? You want to fight? You've to be joking with me." He laughs getting his fellow friends to do the same.

"True that, I don't feel like fighting." I pout before smiling devilishly, "Instead, I'll use the way that does not cause violence, but shame.

"Wha - "

"Benjamin Howard, Stanley Peterson, Mike Cooper, Jim Ford, and David Dunn." I call all their names before scrambling in my backpack to take out a folder which was a textbook thick, opening it to specific pages, I take out small sheets from each one before revealing it to them, "I don't think any of you guys would want this to be posted out on the school's website, would you?"

Their eyes widen seeing the content of the photo before backing away, "How - "

"I always contain information of my fellow schoolmates just so if they do any stunts like this, I can easily blackmail them. Of course it's rude to search into other people's information, but it's not like I'm digging too deep into it. Only the ones that are embarrassing enough." I shrug before placing them all back into the folder and closing it, "It also means I still have a lot more blackmails for you five. So, if you won't mind. Scurry along now, boys."

Fear was written all over their faces as they all run out of the doorway like scared little mice only receiving a smirk from me as I place the folder back into my bag.

"You okay there buddy?" I ask the boy sitting on the ground in shock of the sudden event.

"How - "

"I'll explain that in more detail another time." I push the subject aside before helping him stand up, "First, I must know why you're like this, Aeron."

He flinches from hearing the question which I don't back up on as he fidgets on his spot. A bruise was forming on his revealed arm which also has many other bruises and scars. Cutting scars. My eyes narrow in anger which he flinches at before covering his injuries with the uniform.

"It's nothing." he replies back trying to keep a strong act.

"Aeron, it can't just be nothing." I sigh, "Just talk to me okay? Don't worry about the others and just talk to me. Explain everything to me."