The Story of Us | ViceRylle

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"When I was in grade school, I used to get bullied for being the shortest kid in class and for being different just because I grew up without a dad. It sucks, it really does." I sighed as the memories started haunting me again.

"It was the worst year of my life. I couldn't tell my mom about it because I was afraid. I was afraid that the kids in school will bully me more if I tell her. One day, Vice came and saved my life. He taught me to be strong and to stand up for myself."

"No one in this world deserves to be bullied. If you're one of them, take action right away. Talk to someone about it and seek help, don't keep it to yourself. And please, don't ever feel like you're unaccepted or unwanted just because you're different. Remember, being different makes you unique. This doesn't just go out to those children getting bullied in school, but also to everyone who feels unaccepted. My dad told me to accept who I am and to be proud of myself. If you're fat, so what? Food is life, diba? If you have freckles on your face, so what? Everyone is beautiful in their own way. If you're gay, lesbian, transgender, SO. WHAT. Ang mahalaga, wala kang inaapakan na tao. Just be yourself."

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"Psst. Hoy, Tristan!" He heard the kid behind him whisper. He ignored it.

"Hoy!" He called again but continued to ignore him. His eyes focused on his quiz paper.

The kid behind him threw an eraser at him, this time Tristan turned around to look at the kid.

"What's your problem?!" He whispered softly, but his tone was annoyed.

"Anong sagot sa question 3?"

"I can't tell you that. Figure it out by yourself." Tristan turned his back on him.

"Ah, ganun ah." The kid threw his pencil case at Tristan which got everyone's attention, including their teacher.

"What's going on in here?!"

"Ma'am, si Tristan po kasi! Na-ngongopya." Tristan's eyes widened and his face turned red.

"Liar! You're the one who wanted to copy! You never study! Miss, you have to believe me... He always asks me to do his homework." Tristan whined, his eyes were already watery.

"Ma'am, hindi po totoo yan!"

"Simon, stop it. I've been receiving complaints from other students too that you bully them. I want to see you after this class, are we clear?"

"But Ma'am,"

"Are we clear?" The teacher asked again with full authority.

"Yes po." He sighed and glared at Tristan. Tristan turned back and resumed finishing the quiz.

"You're getting a zero for this quiz." The teacher said and took Simon's quiz paper.

Tristan was walking outside the campus when Simon called out his name.

"Hoy, liit!" Tristan stopped walking, he felt his heart beat rapidly in his chest. His hands started trembling. He took a deep breath before turning around. Simon wasn't alone. He was with a bunch of his friends and they all looked angry.

"Bakit mo ko sinumbong kanina? Alam mo bang ng dahil sayo muntik na ko ma-suspend?" Simon said angrily while walking towards Tristan. Tristan tried his best to look tough even though he felt like he was going to pass out any time soon.

"It's not my fault you didn't study. You were lucky that you didn't get kicked out." It took all of his courage to say those words.

"Ah, sumasagot ka na ngayon ah!" Simon pushed him and Tristan fell on the ground.